overland

Carrizo Plain & Central Coast Explorations | Apr 17-20 2025

Hi Doug. I believe we can refuel if needed at Santa Ynez (on day one) and New Cuyama (on day two). We always bring 5 gal or so extra just to be sure. A station closed or something. But I don’t think there’s a fuel issue here. Others, am I missing something?
 
OakSonoma said:
Hi all. Not sure if others plan to drive to SB Wednesday or early Thursday (depending on your starting point). We’ll be driving down from the Bay Area on Wednesday. We found a camping spot (not cheap) at Refugio Beach State Park, which is 20 minutes from SB/Montecito. Still some Wednesday night spots open as of today if others are in need.
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We're also driving driving down from the Bay Area on Wednesday afternoon and spending the night at Refugio... we'll be in site #66 and have room for another vehicle if anybody would like to join us.
I'll have a radio on monitoring VHF 146.520 MHz (2-meter nat'l calling freq') as well as GMRS channel 15 (what we'll be using on the trail) . Feel free to hail me on the road or at Refugio.
Cheers,
-Mark
KM6NNF / WSGS976
 
doug.gottschlich said:
Hi all, hoping for some advice. Looks like it’s about 200 miles to the first refueling point (end of day 2). I’m new to overhanging and recently got a new Land Cruiser. I assume my gas mileage will be reduced off road versus the street driving I’ve been doing. Anyone ever calculated gas mileage off road versus street driving?
Thanks
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My Gladiator guzzles gasoline and it has a small tank to boot.
On a good day I get ~14 highway MPG and, although I haven't actually calculated what I get off-road, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a low as ½ of that (depending on terrain and how much time is spent in low range).
Needless to say, I'll have some extra fuel with me.
YMMV :ROFLMAO:
-Mark
 
OakSonoma said:
Hi all. Not sure if others plan to drive to SB Wednesday or early Thursday (depending on your starting point). We’ll be driving down from the Bay Area on Wednesday. We found a camping spot (not cheap) at Refugio Beach State Park, which is 20 minutes from SB/Montecito. Still some Wednesday night spots open as of today if others are in need.
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I just grabbed site 6, I'll come say hey. Also coming from the bay! When are you guys taking off?
 
I'll be crashing at Refugio State Beach as well it looks like. I should have the meeting location posted up sometime today. It'll either be in Montecito, or a short drive to Montecito since that's where our route starts.
 
Here's a GAIA link ( 34.42129, -119.64811 ) to a fuel station very close to our meting point that has gas/diesel & convenience store ⛽⛽
 
Huffy81 said:
I just grabbed site 6, I'll come say hey. Also coming from the bay! When are you guys taking off?
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Not sure on departure time. Depends if one of us needs to cover some work stuff Wednesday. But should be a gorgeous beach sunset so we want to arrive before then. You?
 
doug.gottschlich said:
Hi all, hoping for some advice. Looks like it’s about 200 miles to the first refueling point (end of day 2). I’m new to overhanging and recently got a new Land Cruiser. I assume my gas mileage will be reduced off road versus the street driving I’ve been doing. Anyone ever calculated gas mileage off road versus street driving?
Thanks
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I took another look at the route and, no surprise, Ben's mileage estimates are spot-on. Here are a few considerations for those who may be concerned about their vehicle's range:

- On day 1 we'll have a fuel stop at the ~52 mile point (gas & diesel), then it's ~25 more miles to camp.
- On day 2 it's ~148 miles to Pine Mountain Club (~175 mi total) but I think this station has gas only, no diesel. Since I know we have at least 1 diesel truck in the group (@OTG Ben) I'm guessing that we the little detour over to Maricopa and tank-up there, which would put our total at ~215 miles.
- Day 3 from New Cuyama to Santa Margarita is 135mi so that will put us at ~160mi from the fuel stop in Maricopa.

My best guess is that most vehicles will do just fine without needing to carry extra fuel.... but if you're like me, you might sleep a little bit better with a red (or yellow) can of liquid insurance in the back of the truck.
 
@msiminoff or anyone else who knows the Santa Barbara area. I'm planning on rolling into camp around dinnertime on Wednesday, and there's nothing quite like enjoying a savory burrito with some salsa and chips (a must!) when the sun's going down. Any recommendations on places to hit? Ideally closer to refugio so dinner is still warm. Even better if it's a Socal style California burrito (top notch chips and salsa are a must!).

🌯🌯🌯
🌮🌮🌮🌮

🥑🥑🥑🥑
 
@OTG Ben, there's a fantastic burrito shop called El Freebirds in Isla Vista which is 15 miles south of Refugio. I know it's a bit of a drive, but I assure you that their Monster Burrito is worth it.
879 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista, CA 93117)

If you're not up for that drive then Burritos Lalo in Buelton is a close second.... it's on the way, right off 101, 20 miles before Refugio. If you drive fast enough, then yep your burrito will still be warm when you arrive. :giggle:
175 McMurray Rd, Buellton, CA 93427
 
OakSonoma said:
Not sure on departure time. Depends if one of us needs to cover some work stuff Wednesday. But should be a gorgeous beach sunset so we want to arrive before then. You?
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Yeah, I ended up pickup up a shift Tuesday night, so I'm gonna shoot for 12 and prob leave around 1 🤠
 
I'm thinking about either staying an extra day/night in Carrizo to explore, and/or hitting the Parkfield Grade on the way home to the Bay. Open to company!
 
I want to make some bullet time video with my Insta X4. Any time we’re all stopped together at a peak, or whatever, can someone remind me to get some bullet time footage? I always forget. 🤣

Thanks, and safe travels all!
 
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