Douglas Family Preserve facts for kids
The Douglas Family Preserve is a fantastic public park located in Santa Barbara, California. This special place sits on a high, flat area of land, called a mesa, right above Arroyo Burro Beach. It covers about 70 acres of beautiful, undeveloped land along the ocean. It's the largest open space like this within the city of Santa Barbara.
Even though its official name is the Douglas Family Preserve, many people in Santa Barbara still call it the Wilcox Property. This was its name for a long time.
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What to Do at the Preserve
The Douglas Family Preserve is a great place to explore and enjoy nature. There are many things to see and do here.
Trails and Views
A walking trail goes all around the edge of the park. You'll also find many smaller paths that crisscross the area. The main entrance is on Medcliff Road. This spot is at the same level as the park, making it easy to get onto the scenic mesa. To reach the park, you can take U.S. Route 101 south to Las Positas Road. Then, go east on Cliff Drive, south on Mesa Lane, and west on Medcliff Road. You can find street parking near Selrose Lane.
There are several high spots, called bluffs, that look out over the beach. These are perfect places to watch for whales and dolphins swimming in the ocean. You might also see hang gliders launching from nearby Ellings Park. They often land right on the main trail near the park's entrance.
Nature and History
Near the east entrance, you'll find a special area with many native plants. These are plants that naturally grow in California. As you walk around, you might also spot old foundations from buildings that used to be here. There are even parts of old paved roads. Different kinds of birds and animals can be seen throughout the year, depending on the season.
There's another way to enter the park from Arroyo Burro Beach parking. You can walk east along a sidewalk on the south side of Cliff Drive. Then, turn south to cross a pedestrian bridge over Mesa Creek. This path leads to a nice, shaded trail that goes up the hillside. It connects you to the main trail around the preserve.
Fun for Everyone
The Douglas Family Preserve is a very popular spot for dog owners. Dogs are allowed to run off-leash in certain areas. It's also a favorite place for people who enjoy hiking, taking a relaxing stroll, or going for a jog. It's a wonderful spot to get some fresh air and exercise.
History of the Preserve
This land was once home to the Wilcox nursery. Roy Wilcox started this plant nursery in 1949. The nursery closed down in 1972. After it closed, there were several ideas for what to do with the land. Some plans included building a fancy hotel, a neighborhood with many houses, or even a retirement community.
However, the people of Santa Barbara had a different idea. In 1996, they worked together to raise more than $2 million. This money helped an organization called the Trust for Public Land buy the Wilcox Property for $3.6 million. The property then became a city park. It was named the "Douglas Family Preserve" to thank actor Michael Douglas. He gave $600,000 to help buy the land for the park.
