The caves at Santa Barbara’s More Mesa Shores
From left, Steven Navarro, Ramon Cardenas and Carlos Ramirez, all of Santa Barbara, pass a small cave at More Mesa after fishing from the shoreline below. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Stephanie Winegardner of Santa Barbara passes one of the small caves of More Mesa on her way down to the shoreline. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Majeston Hannah, right, gives Ariel Villalobos a boost above one of the caves in the bluffs of More Mesa near Santa Barbara. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
A hiker makes his way above three small caves in the bluffs of More Mesa near Santa Barbara. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Bonnie Freeman, a More Mesa Shores community activist, says gang members are among the intruders on private land that includes the cliffs. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Signs at More Mesa warn that permission is required to pass through and get to the caves. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
UCSB students Andre Anderiasian, Gabrielle Isacson and Nadia Kulenovich, from left, carry their sleeping bags back after spending the night in one of the caves -- a common practice. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Lindsy, a pit bull belonging to Steven Dummar, right rear, runs along a trail worn by hikers -- and dogs -- at More Mesa. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
The caves are roomy enough for campers, but as a recent accident involving a boulder showed, they can also be dangerous. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)