Los Padres National Forest

Stretching along 220 miles of California's central coast from Monterey to Los Angeles, Los Padres protects 1.75 million acres of rugged coastal mountains, sheltering endangered California condors and encompassing the Ventana, San Rafael, and Dick Smith wilderness areas. The forest is divided into two non-contiguous sections, with the northern Monterey district encompassing the dramatic Big Sur backcountry and the Ventana Wilderness, while the southern section spans the San Rafael, Santa Ynez, and Topatopa ranges behind Santa Barbara and Ventura. Ten designated wilderness areas protect over 800,000 acres, making Los Padres one of the most wilderness-rich forests in the state, and the Sespe Condor Sanctuary within the forest has been critical to bringing the California condor back from the brink of extinction. Natural hot springs at Sykes, Tassajara, and Sespe draw thousands of visitors to remote backcountry locations, while the Condor Trail offers a long-distance route spanning much of the forest's length. Chaparral-covered mountains give way to pine and fir at higher elevations, supporting diverse wildlife including black bears, mountain lions, and golden eagles, while critical watersheds supply water to coastal communities from Monterey to Ventura. The forest manages over 1,200 miles of trails and serves as an essential recreation resource for the millions of residents along California's central coast.