Los Padres National Forest

Located in the beautiful coastal mountains of central California, lies the Los Padres National Forest encompassing nearly two million acres. Stretching almost 220 miles from the Carmel Valley area to the western edge of Los Angeles County, the forest provides the scenic backdrop for many communities including Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ojai. While many of the campgrounds and picnic areas are easily reached by vehicle, much of the forest is remote and unroaded, with excellent opportunities for primitive backcountry recreation.

The forest can be reached from many routes branching off state highway 101 along California's coast.