California Central Coast Forest Maps
Los Padres Maps are perfect for exploring the gorgeous California Central Coast, from the beaches of Big Sur to hiking canyons of Ojai CA – National Forests North of L.A.
There are numerous maps covering the coastal mountain regions of Los Padres NF, which spans from Monterey Bay in the north to the Ojai mountains in the south, and eastward to Tejon Pass @ Interstate 5. Many folks call this area the Santa Barbara mountains, but it is so vast that it covers way more than just the coastline.
Los Padres Maps
The National Forest Service makes two forest maps and two wilderness maps; USDA maps include:
- Los Padres National Forest NORTH
- Los Padres National Forest SOUTH
- Chumash Wilderness
- Dick Smith Wilderness
- Ventana Wilderness
- Silver Peak Wilderness
NatGeo, short for National Geographic makes three Trails Illustrated maps: colorful, topographic publications covering the entire Big Sur coast line, plus the mountain areas:
Los Padres Topo Maps: Smaller map publishers have entered the scene, producing topographical maps for Los Padres wilderness regions, where there were voids:
Tom Harrison Maps –
Bryan Conant –
Ozena Views, from Lockwood Valley Road
Los Padres National Forest Atlas:
All Topo Quads
Snowy Mil Potreo Highway, W of PMC
Cuyama River Valley as seen from the old fire lookout tower on Cuyama Peak
more links for this area –
Beautiful PMC = Pine Mountain Club
The paved road access into this canyon (Mineral King Road) does become a dirt road for a few miles, about half way in. Pavement resumes and continues to the end – where the trailhead parking and campground is situated. Numerous creeks flow through this mountain region.
There are 10 official trailheads that access the eight trail segments which form a continuous loop in the mountains above the lake. The segments range from 12.2 to 32.5 miles in length. Unofficial entry points also provide a means of getting onto the trails. Trail conditions are best during the usually snow-free months of July through October, and the height of the wildflower bloom is usually July and August.
