Hollister Ranch Beaches(San Augustine, Razorblades, Razors, Drakes, Little Drakes, R&L, L&R)

Located to the west of Goleta, the Hollister Ranch Beaches are a group of six sandy and rocky beaches which are named from the west to east as San Augustin, Bulito, Drakes, Sacate, Alegria, and Agua Caliente respectively. These south and southwest-facing beaches are situated below oceanfront bluffs and the area around these beaches is part of a private residential and agricultural community known as the Hollister Ranch. These beaches often have very few visitors as there are no public land access routes available for these six beaches. A new law named AB 1860 was approved by the Governor of California in 2019 which seeks to provide a public access route to the Hollister Ranch shoreline by 2022. Despite the current constraints in access, some intrepid beachgoers often visit the Hollister Ranch Beaches via boat or kayak. The nearest kayak-launching spot for the Hollister Ranch Beaches is the Gaviota Pier, which also has a boat hoist. However, if you are planning to visit the Hollister Ranch Beaches via boat, be careful as these beaches are known to have localist beachgoers who may try to dissuade you from visiting these beaches. Nevertheless, these beaches have many locally famous surfing spots and surfers have been visiting these beaches for an exciting surfing session since the 1960s. In addition, some of the beaches in Hollister Ranch are also used by clothing-optional visitors. However, if you are planning a clothing-optional visit to the Hollister Ranch Beaches, we recommend being careful as public indecency is legally punishable by the local authorities. Some of the beaches in Hollister Ranch also have tidepools.

There are many attractions near the Hollister Ranch Beaches within a 20-minute drive. Gaviota State Park is a 2,742-acre oceanfront state park that offers many fun activities including camping, hiking, biking, horse riding, swimming, and fishing. The state park has a pier which is a popular fishing spot and is equipped with a boat hoist. Hikers can also explore more than 2,000 acres of oak woodlands in the state park that also has Gaviota Peak (which is a part of the Santa Ynez Mountain Range), the Gaviota Hot Springs where you can take a refreshing dip, and an interesting sandstone rock formation known as Gaviota Wind Caves. In addition, the portions of Gaviota Creek passing through the state park are known to have an incredibly vivid riparian habitat, which is one of the pristine riparian habitats in Santa Barbara County.

Nojoqui Falls Park is owned by Santa Barbara County and has many amenities including ball fields, barbecue spots, picnic tables, restrooms, and a playground. In addition, the park also has hiking trails through which you can explore the vibrant landscape of Santa Barbara County and Southern California. The park also has a seasonal 80-feet high waterfall known as the Nojoqui Falls, which offers some incredible Instagram-worthy photos. If you are looking for another attraction near the Hollister Ranch Beaches, Nojoqui Horse Ranch is set at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountain Range and offers interesting horse riding trails. In addition, the ranch also offers horse riding lessons.

There are many attractions near the Hollister Ranch Beaches within a 20-minute drive. Gaviota State Park is a 2,742-acre oceanfront state park that offers many fun activities including camping, hiking, biking, horse riding, swimming, and fishing. The state park has a pier which is a popular fishing spot and is equipped with a boat hoist. Hikers can also explore more than 2,000 acres of oak woodlands in the state park that also has Gaviota Peak (which is a part of the Santa Ynez Mountain Range), the Gaviota Hot Springs where you can take a refreshing dip, and an interesting sandstone rock formation known as Gaviota Wind Caves. In addition, the portions of Gaviota Creek passing through the state park are known to have an incredibly vivid riparian habitat, which is one of the pristine riparian habitats in Santa Barbara County.

Nojoqui Falls Park is owned by Santa Barbara County and has many amenities including ball fields, barbecue spots, picnic tables, restrooms, and a playground. In addition, the park also has hiking trails through which you can explore the vibrant landscape of Santa Barbara County and Southern California. The park also has a seasonal 80-feet high waterfall known as the Nojoqui Falls, which offers some incredible Instagram-worthy photos. If you are looking for another attraction near the Hollister Ranch Beaches, Nojoqui Horse Ranch is set at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountain Range and offers interesting horse riding trails. In addition, the ranch also offers horse riding lessons.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants near the Hollister Ranch Beaches within a 30-minute drive. FIRST & OAK, at the Mirabelle Inn, offers a range of delicious gourmet dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. Solvang Restaurant is famous for its æbleskivers (also spelled as aebleskivers) and also serves excellent Danish breakfast dishes including Danish sausage, and Danish-style meatballs. In addition, the restaurant also serves excellent American breakfast dishes including eggs, bagels, sandwiches, and waffles. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near the Hollister Ranch Beaches, the modestly priced Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe offers excellent soups, sandwiches, and salads. In addition, the restaurant also serves delicious baked desserts.

If you are looking for a hotel near the Hollister Ranch Beaches, there are many great nearby options within a 30-minute drive. The 5-Star The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara offers many amenities including two oceanfront saltwater pools with a rental cabana, tennis courts, multiple restaurants, a bar, a wine tasting room, tennis courts, and a seasonal kids’ club. In addition, the hotel also offers many amenities for a resort fee including a spa, a fitness center, and complimentary drinks. As another upscale option, the 4-Star Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort offers many amenities including multiple restaurants, complimentary breakfast and dinner, tennis courts, a fitness center, a spa (access for a fee), a pool, and a hot tub. A more affordable option is the 3-Star El Capitan Canyon which is a resort that offers accommodation in both cabins and tents. The resort campground has many amenities including heaters, lamps, restrooms, grills, firepits, and picnic tables. The resort also offers many other amenities including a deli, bike loaner facility, free admission to local musical events, and a pool and a playground. If you are looking for another good and affordable option near the Hollister Ranch Beaches, the modestly priced Gaviota State Park Campground accommodates tents, trailers, and RVs and offers many amenities including a camp store, drinking, water, restrooms, tables, fire ring, barbecue spots, and showers.