montecito: Summerland, CA Hiking and Equestrian Trail Network - Living in Summerland - 01/27/11 10:43 AM
Summerland, CA Hiking and Equestrian Trail Network
Summerland California is a wonderful place to spend time outdoors.  Most area residents are aware of Summerland's long sandy beach and calm sheltered waters, the great restaurants, perfect weather and laid back beach town atmosphere.  What most people are unaware of is Summerland's extensive network of hiking and equestrian trails.  That's right, Summerland's trail system, which is maintained by the Montecito Trails Foundation, covers miles of some of the most beautiful scenery found anywhere.
Summerland's trail system is perfect for horses and hikers alike, rolling along through citrus orchards, past multi million dollar estates and ranches with … (0 comments)

montecito: Montecito YMCA Stingray's Open the Season 2 - 0! - 09/25/10 03:23 PM
Today was the first two games of the season for the Montecito YMCA Stingray's, the 4th - 6th grade  flag football team that I am coaching, and we won them both! It was a hot day in Santa Barbara today; and a great day to play football. Our first game we were up against the Falcons who hit us with a withering running attack.  We weathered the storm and wore them down with our relentless offensive barrage.  Stingray Quarterback Witt scored with a keeper around the right end, and capped it off with a 2 point conversion pass to Miles in the right … (0 comments)

montecito: Montecito Tea Fire Still Burning - 07/11/10 07:56 AM
Montecito Tea Fire Still Burning
I recently attended an interesting meeting of the Montecito Fire Committee.  About two years ago there was a massive fire that raged in the hills above Santa Barbara destroying hundreds of multi-million dollar estates, known as the tea fire. Many of these homes were built on hillsides and back in canyons serviced by private roads that do not meet current fire dept specifications, primarily because they are not wide enough for the big modern fire trucks.  Santa Barbara County allowed owners that lost their homes, two years to rebuild through a streamlined permitting process without having to go through the … (2 comments)

montecito: Montecito Hiking- San Ysidro Trail - 06/01/10 09:30 AM


Santa Barbara Hiking- San Ysidro Trail
Santa Barbara's topography lends itself to some beautiful hikes.  The scenic Santa Ynez mountains tower over this coastline to the North and provide easy access to hiking trails.  Many of these trails start in the foothills just a short bike ride or drive from downtown.  I am always suprised to find flowing creeks and waterfalls on many of the Santa Barbara hikes.  Santa Barbara's average rainfall is only about 14 inches a year which is similar to many deserts.  On a recent sunny May morning I hiked up the San Ysidro trail back to … (0 comments)