Remove Ads
3.5
54 votes

Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park

Painted Cave Rd, Santa Barbara, California 93105 USA

Open Now
Thu 6a-7p
  • Independent
Add to Trip
Remove Ads

“ancient art”

Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park is a unit in the state park system of California, preserving a small sandstone cave adorned with rock art attributed to the Chumash people. Adjoining the small community of Painted Cave, the site is located about 2 miles north of California State Route 154 and 11 miles northwest of Santa Barbara. The 7.5-acre park was established in 1976.

The smooth and irregularly shaped shallow sandstone cave contains numerous drawings apparently depicting the Chumash cosmology and other subjects created in mineral pigments and other media over a long period ranging from about 200 up to possibly 1000 years or more. There is also evidence of graffiti beginning with early white settlers, which eventually led to creation of a protective physical barrier and State Historic Park status. In 1972 it was added as Site #72000256 on the National Register of Historical Places.

Access is from State Route 154 about 5 miles north of U.S. Route 101 in the San Marcos Pass in the Santa Ynez Mountains, on Painted Cave Road. The cave is adjacent to the left side of this narrow one-lane mountain road, with a slightly widened shoulder that provides parking for one or two vehicles. The drive is not appropriate for trailers and RVs, due to some very tight turns and steep sections. This park is one of the few providing open access for viewing original rock art of the Chumash people in person. Flash photographs are prohibited since they can harm the artwork; some people use flashlights to help view the art, and some take photographs with long exposures with the camera braced on the metal gate or using a tripod.

Read More >
Add Review
Thanks!
Your Rating
1
2
3
4
5

Reviewed by
Lauren

  • 4 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
March 22, 2022
Rated 3.0

It's a cute little pitstop. Doesn't take more than 10mins to enjoy and take your pictures. Follow the roadmappers map... The sign is super small and easy to miss. There is only space for one car to park/veer off of on the side of the road.

Was this helpful?

Reviewed by
melanieharlow

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
August 21, 2017
Rated 1.0

Pretty drive, but otherwise a waste of time. Don't go if towing a trailer. Parking is awkward and not appreciated by locals. At least the walk is v very short so you don't have to park for long.

Was this helpful?

Reviewed by
spookytiger

  • 2 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
June 14, 2016
Rated 4.0

Beautiful but one lane road drive up. 2 parking spots right under the cave. The cave is gated but there is one big opening for ur camera to go thru for pictures. Peaceful surrounding.

Was this helpful?

Reviewed by
Inginious

  • 8 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
July 09, 2015
Rated 3.0

Nice drive up to the rock. The views from up there are amazing. Nice place to reflect on the past and history of other cultures :)

Was this helpful?

Reviewed by
rebstar

  • 7 Reviews
  • 1 Helpful
March 22, 2015
Rated 4.0

A pretty drive on a twisty, one lane road. Not a lot of parking. The cave is small and the gate is large. The paintings are vibrant and worth a look.

Was this helpful?

Reviewed by
littlemandur

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
December 15, 2014
Rated

Super steep and winding road to get up there, very scenic.
As the description says the cave is protected by a heavy gate; you can't enter. Bit hard to see any of the paintings, but what can be seen is very pretty.

Was this helpful?

Be the first to add a review to the Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park.

Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park

Painted Cave Rd
Santa Barbara, California
93105 USA
Remove Ads

Hours

Open now until 7:00 pm
  • Sun - Sat: 6:00 am - 7:00 pm

Problem with this listing? Let us know.

Has RV parking changed? Let us know.

Remove Ads
  • Check
    Parking
  • Unknown
    Pets Allowed
  • Unknown
    Restrooms
  • Unknown
    Wifi
  • Unknown
    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Unknown
    Credit Cards Accepted
See More Details (3)

Parking

Remove Ads

Nearby Hotels

Solvang, California
Solvang, California
Buellton, California
FastBook
$$

Click to discover a
great deal!

Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, California
Remove Ads

Related Trip Guides

Remove Ads
63166