Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carneros Creek |
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 Location of the mouth in California
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| Other name(s) | Camerus Valley Creek |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Santa Barbara County, California |
| City | Goleta |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Brush Peak, Santa Ynez Mountains 2,710 ft (830 m) 34°30′00″N 119°51′25″W / 34.50000°N 119.85694°W |
| River mouth | Goleta Slough Goleta, California 7 ft (2.1 m) 34°25′01″N 119°49′49″W / 34.41694°N 119.83028°W |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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Carneros Creek is a stream that flows south in Santa Barbara County, California. It begins high up in the Santa Ynez Mountains. The creek then flows through Lake Los Carneros Park. It goes under U.S. Highway 101 and into a special channel. This channel takes its water to the Goleta Slough. From there, the water flows into the Santa Barbara Channel and finally reaches the Pacific Ocean.
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A Look Back in Time
The name Los Carneros means "the sheep" in Spanish. This name appeared on old maps from the 1840s. For example, a map from 1842 for a large area called Rancho Dos Pueblos showed a place named Los Carneros. Another map from 1846 for Rancho La Goleta showed it as an "arroyo," which is a dry creek bed.
Understanding the Creek's Path
The main part of Carneros Creek is about 7.6 miles (12.2 kilometers) long. It collects water from an area called a watershed, which covers about 5.6 square miles (14.5 square kilometers). A smaller stream, Tecolotito Creek, also adds water from its own watershed, covering 5.8 square miles (15 square kilometers).
From Mountains to the Ocean
The creek starts very high in the Santa Ynez Mountains. It flows down quickly through Bartlett Canyon. This area is part of the Los Padres National Forest. As it moves downstream, another creek called Dry Creek joins it. After this, Carneros Creek becomes much flatter.
Journey Through Goleta
The creek passes west of Lake Los Carneros Park. It then goes under U.S. Highway 101. Here, it enters the Los Carneros Wetlands. These wetlands are a small part of what was once a much larger area connected to the Goleta Slough.
Where the Creek Meets the Sea
Near Hollister Avenue, Tecolotito Creek (also known as Glen Annie Creek) joins Carneros Creek. From Hollister Avenue all the way to its mouth, Carneros Creek is estuarine. This means its water is a mix of fresh water from the creek and salty ocean water. Before reaching the Pacific Ocean, Carneros Creek's waters mix with San Pedro Creek and Atascadero Creek within the Goleta Slough.
Fun Things to Do
Lake Los Carneros is a human-made pond that's great for ducks and other birds. You can enjoy easy walking trails around the lake. It's a perfect spot for birdwatching. The historic Stow House is also located in this area, offering a glimpse into the past.
