Lake Los Carneros Park Trails

The Lake Los Carneros Park in Goleta, California is a delightful oasis right in the city. Featuring the lovely Lake Los Carneros, this puptastic area also offers hiking trails for walkers and bike riders, and fishing. 

One of the best places to starts on the trails is right off Los Carneros Road, right by the South Coast Railroad Museum and the Stow House, the oldest frame home in the Goleta Valley. Go down to the end of the drive past the Stow House to pick up one of the two trails leading in to the park. No matter which way you go, you'll get to the main two-mile loop trail that meanders around Lake Los Carneros, which is in the middle of the park. Many spur trails veer off this main path that you can follow, with most of them looping back into other trails in the network, and some connecting to the main streets which surround the park. These points are also other ways to enter the trail system here, and can be found on all four sides of the area.  

Half of the main path is paved and shaded by eucalyptus and oak trees, but you can step out into the sunshine and let your pooch sniff the interesting smells along the bank of the Los Carneros Lake. There are plenty of frogs, turtles, ducks, and other waterfowl that your dog may see, so keep your fur baby on a leash. There are benches and picnic tables by a large oak tree where you can sit and enjoy the view. There's no drinking fountains on the way, so bring water for you and Fido. There are, however, several doggy bag dispensers in the park that you can use in case you furgot to bring your own. 

The other half of the main path turns into a natural dirt trail where you can continue your hike into the woods and around the lake. You can cross over the marshy end of the lake on a boardwalk where you and Fido can see all the marsh flowers and wildlife here. During the spring and early summer, the colors are beautiful, and you can smell the sweet scent of the flowers. With the mountains in the background, the lake, and the amazing floral view, you will not be short on photo opportunities here. 

There is a large parking lot, and parking is free, but it gets crowded on the weekends. Restrooms for people are located behind the railroad museum. While doggoes are not allowed in to the railroad museum or the Stow House, with all the choices of different trails, your pup can enjoy a variety of hikes throughout the park, and perhaps some fishing by your side in the lake. For a pupperific afternoon with your best pal, head to the Lake Los Carneros Park today!