Point Sal
Point Sal is a 77-acre promontory on the coast of northern Santa Barbara County near the north end of Vandenberg Air Force Base. It is a fragile area, with sandy soil and a unique blend of wildlife.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Outdoors
Wildlife viewing and birding near Santa Maria
Refuges, lakes and wild areas near Santa Maria for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
Good to know: Early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife; bring binoculars and keep a respectful distance.
Within 30 miles (3)
Santa Margarita Lake
Managed by San Luis Obispo County Parks, the park is set in rolling oak woodlands and offers boating, a marina and camping. Swimming and other water contact sports are prohibited.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Navajo Flats Campground
Navajo Flat Campground, off-highway vehicle (OHV) Trailhead and day use area is an ideal location for OHV enthusiasts to enjoy the many trails in the surrounding area.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (16)
Saucito Ranch
The El Saucito Ranch house is the oldest standing house in the Carrizo Plain National Monument, dating back to circa 1878. This is the only ranch house in the monument to have been occupied from the pioneer period to modern day.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Painted Rock
The sandstone formation at Painted Rock has long drawn the attention of Carrizo Plain National Monument visitors. About 3,000 - 4,000 years ago, Native Americans began to paint their sacred images with the alcove of the rock.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Goodwin Education Center
The center offers the visitor interpretive displays and exhibits explaining the uniqueness of the Carrizo Plain and adjoining Elkhorn Plain.
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Selby Campground
Camping is available on a first come-first serve basis. Thirteen campsites with picnic tables, fire pits, horse corrals and a wheelchair accessible vault toilet. Electricity and drinking water is not available.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Soda Lake Boardwalk
A walk along the boardwalk offers solitude and beauty among the different plants. Even in summertime, the area has a special beauty with numerous white dust devils spinning across the dusty alkaline playas.
- Hiking
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Cachuma Lake
Cachuma Reservoir, formed by Bradbury Dam , offers a prime recreational opportunity for the south central coast area of California.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Fs Owned
- Nature education
Cerro Alto Campground
Cerro Alto Campground is a well-known hiking and mountain biking paradise. It is located a short distance from the sandy beaches of Morro Bay, where visitors enjoy surfing, fishing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and more.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Water sports
KCL Campground
Camping is available on a first come-first serve basis--we do not take reservations. The campground has 12 campsites, 3 with elevated tent pads. There is an accessible vault toilet, along with picnic tables and fire rings.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Wallace Creek
Here you are standing on the San Andreas Fault. At this location it runs northwest to southeast a the base of the hills.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Carrizo Plain National Monument
All vehicles including UTVs on the monument must be street-legal (DMV plated) and all vehicles must stay on roads. REMINDER: Please follow warning signs and respect private property when visiting your public lands.
- Biking
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Van Matre Ranch
The Van Matre family owned several farm properties throughout the plain. This property, known to them as "The Camp" was orginally homesteaded by Jerry Hagerty in 1930.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Traver Ranch
The Traver Ranch was established in the 1940's when the family purchased approximately 800 acres and began building the large block house that still stands along the edge of Soda Lake Road.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Temblor Recreation Area
Temblor Recreation Area was newly designated in the Bakersfield RMP (December 2014) and provides opportunities for OHV riding on a network of over 200 miles of designated routes, recreational shooting, hunting, and other dispersed forms of…
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
The waters that swirl around the five islands within Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary create a special place for several species of plants and animals.
- Boating
- Diving
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Snorkeling
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources.
- Boating
- Camping
- Diving
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Snorkeling
Stockdale Mountain
Private property surrounds Stockdale Mountain. Do not enter through private gates or fences.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (2)
Curry Mountain
Parking access onto nearly 1,800 acres of Bureau of Land Management property in this area is provided through an easement from the California Department of Fish and Game.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Williams Hill
Located in southern Monterey County, and standing over 2,700 feet in elevation, Williams Hill offers great views of the surrounding Salinas Valley.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Santa Maria. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
More outdoors near Santa Maria
Questions
Where is the closest place for wildlife & birding near Santa Maria?
Point Sal (Bureau of Land Management), about 14 miles west of Santa Maria as the crow flies. Next are Santa Margarita Lake (27 mi) and Navajo Flats Campground (30 mi).
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.