The 782-acre Arroyo Hondo Preserve sits beneath the Santa Ynez Mountains west of Santa Barbara between Refugio State Beach and Gaviota State Park. The open land of the former rancho is preserved through its purchase by the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County. (Susan Spano / For The Times)
A decade ago, when Arroyo Hondo Preserve’s owners were on the verge of selling, it was bought by the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, a private organization that has helped preserve 22,000 acres of open space. (Susan Spano / For The Times)
The old ranch house at Arroyo Hondo Preserve. (Susan Spano / For The Times)
Carpinteria Bluffs is a 52-acre preserve just off Highway 101 near Santa Barbara with views of the Channel Islands. The land is protected through the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County. (Susan Spano / For The Times)
A view of the coast from the Carpinteria Bluffs. (Susan Spano / For The Times)
A blue heron stalks through the grass at Carpinteria Bluffs. (Susan Spano / For The Times)
A sign at Carpinteria Bluffs declares that “This land is protected forever.” (Susan Spano / For The Times)
The beach below Carpinteria Bluffs is a breeding place for harbor seals. (Susan Spano / For The Times)
