Welcome to the Los Padres National Forest
Big Sur Coastline - Monterey Ranger District
The Santa Barbara and Monterey National Forests merged in December 1936 to form Los Padres National Forest. This year the Forest celebrates its 75th anniversary of managing these special lands and preserving them for future generations to enjoy. Los Padres National Forest provides Southern California and the Bay Area with a variety of terrain, vegetation, and recreational settings. There are 1,257 miles of maintained trails which provide both day-use and extended backpacking opportunities. Much of the forest is unroaded and primitive and has 10 congressionally designated wildernesses comprising approximately 875,000 acres or about 48% of the forest. These include the Ventana, Silver Peak, Santa Lucia, Machesna, Garcia, San Rafael, Dick Smith, Sespe, Matilija and Chumash wildernesses.
The forest is divided into five administrative units called "Ranger Districts" with district offices in King City, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Ojai and Frazier Park.
Management of Los Padres National Forest focuses on the following areas:
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Protecting and enhancing watersheds
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Providing world-class recreation
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Providing world-class wilderness opportunities.
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Promoting use of the forest as a "living laboratory" for ecological diversity and scientific research.
More Information About The Los Padres National Forest
Forest Headquarters
Contact Us Maps & Publications Outdoor Safety Tribal Relations Employment Volunteering Partnerships
Monterey Ranger District
District Office Camping Picnic Hiking FireScape Roads
Santa Lucia Ranger District
District Office Camping Picnic Hiking Roads
Santa Barbara Ranger District
District Office Camping Picnic Hiking Roads
Ojai Ranger District
District Office Camping Hiking Roads
Mt. Pinos Ranger District
District Office Hiking Roads
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