As Santa Barbara County continues to assess the aftermath of last weekend’s powerful winter storm, officials announced Friday that Arroyo Hondo Preserve on the Gaviota Coast has been temporarily closed due to extensive storm damage.
According to the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, heavy rainfall caused flooding, landslides, and damage to trails, access roads, parking areas, and other infrastructure within the 910-acre preserve, prompting the closure for public safety reasons.
“For safety reasons, the preserve is currently closed while conditions continue to shift and recovery planning moves forward,” the Land Trust said in a statement. Officials warned that some areas remain difficult to access and that additional winter storms could further destabilize already saturated ground.
“Our role is to show up for the land — especially after moments like this,” said Meredith Hendricks, executive director of the Land Trust. “Storms are part of the landscape we steward, and caring for Arroyo Hondo Preserve right now means prioritizing safety, patience, and long-term responsibility.”…