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Print Friendly MapStarting at Goleta Beach State Park, the Obern Trail (formerly known as Atascadero Creek Bike Path) travels east toward Santa Barbara's center, following a flood-control channel. The paved path is a popular commuter and recreation trail. Small wildlife and birds hang out in the native riparian habitat along the creek. The trail intersects the Maria Ignacio Creek Trail near Patterson Avenue.
You can access the trail anywhere it crosses a road. Parking is at Goleta Beach State Park in Goleta. Take Moffett Place to Sandspit Road and park just before the bridge crossing the channel. From Ward Memorial Blvd. heading toward Santa Barbara, exit at Sandspit Road. From the boulevard heading toward Goleta, take the Moffett Place Exit and turn left on Sandspit Road. Park just before crossing the bridge (don't go over the channel).
If you ride this trail, do it in conjunction with the Goleta Beach Trail or Maria Ygnacio Bike Path since it's so short. The locals must love this since for the most part it's quiet, away from roads, and leads to the beach. It seems ideal for the neighborhoods that back up to it for the last couple of miles. If I lived there I'd probably be on it most every day headed for the beach!
After a short warm up on the Goleta Beach Trail (see comments for that trail), started ride from Goleta Beach Park and rode to end at Arroyo Road. Signage for the trail indicates this as Obern Trail, didn’t seen any signage for Atascadero Creek. The trail is paved, most of it is just wide enough for travel both directions but not a wide trail. The trail is older needing some overdue maintenance. We encountered a number of walkers and other bikers using the trail. Wasn’t a problem navigating around them. Trail is along the green space next to creek and away from traffic. Nice to have a quiet place without traffic. We connected to the Maria Ygnacio Bike Path from the Obern Trail (see comments for that trail).
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