Franklin Creek, Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park
Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park
- Location: Carpinteria, on the corner of Ash Avenue and Sandyland Road. From Ventura/L.A., take Highway 101 to the Casitas Pass Road exit. Turn left on Casitas Pass Road and go 0.2 miles to Carpinteria Avenue. Turn right and go 0.3 miles to Linden Avenue. Turn left and go 0.5 miles to Sandyland Road. Turn right and go 0.3 miles and park where available on the corner of Ash and Sandyland. From Santa Barbara, take Highway 101 to the Linden Avenue exit. Turn right and go 0.6 miles to Sandyland Road. Turn right and follow Sandyland to the corner of Ash and park where available.
- Agency: City of Carpinteria
- Distance: 1 mile
- Elevation gain: Level
- Suggested time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty rating: G
- Best season: Year round
- USGS topo map: Carpinteria
- More information: Trip descriptions here and here; Everytrail report here
- Rating: 1
0:00 – Carpinteria Salt Marsh trail head (click thumbnails to see the full sized versions)
This short nature trail visits some coastal wetlands near downtown Carpinteria, providing nice views of the surrounding mountains and a good opportunity to see migratory waterfowl including herons, egrets and terns. You also might see hummingbirds, wrens and goldfinches. To be sure the trail’s purpose is primarily educational; don’t expect much in the way of solitude or physical challenge. If you’re driving on Highway 101 the park is a nice place to stop to stretch your legs, located less than a mile from the freeway. Scenic downtown Carpinteria also invites exploration before or after your visit here.
0:06 – View of the wetlands shortly after leaving Ash Avenue (times are approximate)
From the corner of Ash and Sandyland, enter the preserve and stop by an observation deck where interpretive plaques describe the ecology and geology of the area. The trail bends right and parallels Ash Avenue for 0.2 miles before bending left and heading northwest. (A short loop branches off, leading to an amphitheater where you can get some more views of the wetlands.)
0:11 – View of the mountains after crossing Franklin Creek
At 0.3 miles you reach a T-junction. Turn left (the right fork heads toward a mobile home park) and cross Franklin Canyon on a footbridge. On the opposite side, continue following the trail, first northeast and then northwest toward Sunnyland Cove Road. Just before you reach it, bear left at a fork and follow the boardwalk to a clearing where you can sit on some rocks and look out over the marsh. This is the turnaround point.
0:15 – View from the turnaround point
Text and photography copyright 2014 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from hiking on this trail. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.
