Jacinto Reyes Scenic Byway

The Jacinto Reyes Scenic Byway travels through the Los Padres National Forest and the Santa Ynez Range from Ojala to Ozena through a twisty, two-lane scenic mountain road featuring some of the most diverse terrain in southern California.

Sandstone rocks at Piedras Blancas

The drive begins in the town of Ojai, known for its avocado and citrus fruit orchards. The city offers much to do, including the Ojai Valley Museum (M1), the Sunday Ojai Certified Farmers’ Market, historical walking tours, seasonal festivals, art galleries and restaurants. To reach Ojai from CA-1, take either CA-33 or CA-150.

If you are planning to hike, keep in mind that you are required to have an Adventure Pass. For help planning your hike, stop at the Ojai Ranger Station (I1).

Heading north on CA-33, the scenic drive passes several orchards and through the canyon, alongside the North Fork Matilija Creek. Join the locals and take a refreshing dip in the creek.

Four miles into the drive, you will arrive at the first of three tunnels through Wheeler Gorge. Stop and marvel at the folds in the bedrock, taking in the unique geology of the area. After the Gorge, Wheeler Gorge Campground (H1) offers a 1-mile loop nature trail to experience the local vegetation. This area tends to be lusher as water falls down the straight canyon walls.

Leaving the gorge, the CA-33 starts to climb the mountain through a series of switchbacks and chaparral (dense vegetation consisting of stunted trees or bushes) becomes more prominent. Traveling up the mountain, take advantage of the many pullouts and look around. On a clear day, you can see the Pacific Ocean. About a mile from the Gorge’s tunnels, Bellyache Springs (H2) offers a relaxing environment with cool, refreshing spring water at the foot of cascading waterfalls.

Seven miles up the scenic byway, you will reach Sespe River Road on the right and many adventures lie on this road. An easy half-mile hike to Rose Valley Falls (H3) leads to the 300-foot, two-tiered waterfall cascading over a sheer sandstone cliff.

As you continue north on CA-33, keep an eye open for places to stop and view the picturesque Coastal Range and the Pacific Ocean as you meander through the Santa Ynez Range.

Continuing north, watch for a sign for the Potrero John Trail. The 1.7-mile trail leads you to the Sespe Wilderness and the Piedra Blanca, white-stone outcroppings that have been meticulously sculpted by nature.

A few miles up the road, consider a side-trip on Pine Mountain Road (T1). The road will lead you to an elevation of 5,020 feet through fir and pine trees as it grips the hillside of Pine Mountain. Once at the top, the expansive vistas are simply breathtaking.

Back on CA-33, the drive offers views of Cuyama Badlands, Dick Smith and Chumash Wilderness, and more. The road then starts descending on the way to Ozena.

This scenic drive ends in Ozena. To loop back, consider heading west on CA-166 to US-101 or head east on CA-166 towards I-5.