Gaviota Tunnel facts for kids
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Gaviota State Park, California |
| Coordinates | 34°29′20″N 120°13′34″W / 34.4888°N 120.226°W |
| Route | Northbound lanes of  US 101 and  SR 1 |
| Operation | |
| Owner | Caltrans |
| Technical | |
| Length | 420 ft (130 m) |
| Tunnel clearance | 14.75 ft (4.50 m) |
| Gaviota Pass | |
|---|---|
Gaviota Pass - Aerial view of Gaviota Tunnel
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| Location | Highway 101 North-Bound Rest Stop |
| Official name: Gaviota Pass | |
| Designated | June, 2, 1937 |
| Reference no. | 248 |
The Gaviota Tunnel is a special tunnel in California. It is also called the Gaviota Gorge Tunnel. This tunnel is part of U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1. It was finished in 1953.
You can find the tunnel inside Gaviota State Park. This is about 33 miles (53 km) northwest of Santa Barbara, California. The tunnel is 420 feet (128 m) long and 17.5 feet (5.3 m) tall. Only cars going north on US 101 use the tunnel. Southbound cars go around it through a narrow canyon.
The Gaviota Tunnel is the only main road connecting the Santa Barbara South Coast and the Santa Ynez Valley. Because of this, bicycles are allowed to go through the tunnel. There is a rest area at the south end of the tunnel for both northbound and southbound travelers. It is the first rest area you see when driving north on US 101.
Contents
Staying Safe Near the Tunnel
The area around the Gaviota Tunnel often has rockslides. These happen a lot, especially when it rains. To keep the road safe, some hillsides have netting. This netting helps stop the ground from washing away. There are also fences made of netting along the road. These fences catch any rocks that might fall.
Other Ways to Travel
There is another way to drive between Santa Barbara and Los Olivos. This alternate route uses State Route 154 (SR 154). This road goes over the San Marcos Pass. You can also see the Cold Spring Canyon Arch Bridge on this route.
SR 154 goes straight northwest between Santa Barbara and Los Olivos. US 101, however, follows the Pacific Ocean coast for about 25 miles (40 km) west. Then it turns north, passing through Buellton. Finally, it meets up with SR 154 near Los Olivos.
History of Gaviota Pass
The area around the Gaviota Tunnel, called Gaviota Pass, is a very important historical site. It is registered as California Historical Landmark #248.
During the Mexican–American War, something interesting happened here. On Christmas Day in 1846, the Mexican Army planned an ambush. They waited at Gaviota Pass for the American forces. These forces were led by John C. Frémont. However, Frémont found out about their plan. Instead of going through the pass, he took a different route. He crossed the San Marcos Pass instead. This allowed him to capture Santa Barbara without any fighting.
Gaviota Tunnel in Movies
The Gaviota Tunnel has appeared in several movies.
- In the movie The Graduate, the character played by Dustin Hoffman travels through the tunnel. But in the film, he goes the wrong way. The movie shows him going southbound, even though the tunnel only has northbound lanes.
- The tunnel was also in Wayne's World 2.
- It appeared in the movie Sideways too. In Wayne's World 2 and Sideways, the characters are heading north. So, they pass through the tunnel in the correct direction.
In the video game Grand Theft Auto V, there is a tunnel like the Gaviota Tunnel. It is called the "Braddock Tunnel." It connects the towns of Paleto Bay and Grapeseed in the game.
California Historical Landmark Details
California Historical Landmark #248 tells the story of Gaviota Pass:
NO. 248 GAVIOTA PASS - Here, on Christmas Day, 1846, natives and soldiers from the Presidio of Santa Barbara lay in ambush for Lieutenant Colonel John C. Frémont, U.S.A., and his battalion. Frémont learned of the plot and, guided by Benjamin Foxen and his son William, came instead over the San Marcos Pass, to capture Santa Barbara without bloodshed.
See also
In Spanish: Túnel Gaviota para niños
