Trip · 3-day backpacking trip
For · Friends and intermediate backpackers
Vibe · Challenging and hard
Distance · 10 miles round trip and 3,038 feet of elevation gain
Permits · No wilderness permits, just fill out a CA campfire permit.
Drive · 3 hours from SF
Ideal dates · September to November or March to May (for wildflowers!)
Pets · Welcome at camp and on trails
Los Padres National Forest (LPNF) has 10 designated wilderness areas within 1.75 million acres of public land: Ventana, Silver Peak, Santa Lucia, Garcia, Machesna, San Rafael, Dick Smith, Matilija, Sespe, and Chumash. Ventana Wilderness sits above Big Sur, CA's famous central coastline, and features steep ridges, narrow canyons, redwood forests and stunning coastal views. Like most national forests, you can bring your doggos into Ventana's backcountry as long as they're leashed. There are also designated backcountry campsites with pit toilets in Ventana, but you'll have to pack out your trash. Every trek requires a climb from HWY 1 in Ventana, but once you make the journey, you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of Big Sur.
Official Forest Service Website
Latest Forest Alerts and Conditions
Main image credit: Dave Hoefler
Los Padres used to be named Santa Barbara National Forest, but locals complained about it referencing a single county, so they changed the name in 1936
Thousands of years ago, the Ohlone, Esselen, and Salinan tribes were the first inhabitants in Ventana Wilderness. They lived a nomadic life, migrating to the coasts during winter
Los Padres means "the Fathers", which refers to the Catholic missionary priests who lived in the area around the 18th and 19th centuries
This was GCI's first rocker and it remains their most popular. It's easy to open and close, and comes with a handle to carry around.
Shared Gear
A dreamy, colorful sweater to sport around camp and on chillier day hikes.
Clothes
Light as a feather and versatile enough to use for running, camping, and other nighttime activities.
Essential Items
Imagine a sleeping pad, bag, and blanket all in one. It takes some getting used to, but people love it.
Essential Items
It's not the lightest cot available, but it's comfortable, easy to set up, and break down.
Essential Items
Sturdy, reliable, well-designed, and more expensive than most camp chairs, but it'll last for awhile.
Shared Gear
They're expensive, but you can lean on these bad boys for river crossings and navigating all kinds of terrain.
Essential Items
This mineral-based sunscreen is good for the envrionment and your skin. It's water resistant too.
Personal Stuff
When a campground is short of sinks, bring your own. Clean your dirty dishes in this expandable bin.
Kitchen
This backpacking stove weighs a couple of ounces and has a built-in igniter. It stands out in windy weather.
Kitchen
Camp underneath the stars and watch glorious sunrises in Joshua Tree National Park, the second largest national park in California.