Gaviota Peak and hot spring
The entire trail to the peak is a wide path that leads upwards with successively higher vistas of the 101 freeway winding through the hills. The trail to the peak is uniformly and moderately steep most of the way but gets slightly steeper at the end. At the top of the peak you get a fantastic view of the ocean. There is a register kept in a sturdy metal can at the peak where you can record your achievement. A nice side trip is a short hike from the trailhead to the hot spring. The hot spring is not very hot.
An alternate looping rout uses the Trespass trail. If you come down the peak to the Trespass Trail the views are amazing.
The total to Gaviota Peak around 6 or 7 miles. If you just go to the hot spring, it's about 1 mile total round trip.
There is a fee to park your car. The trail is part of the California State Park system. You can avoid the fee by parking on the frontage road.
Begin the hike at the trailhead behind the sycamore trees at the parking area.
Hike about 1/2 mile up the road and you will come to a fork in the road, a junction with the Trespass trail. The more direct way to the peak and hot spring is to go straight.
Shortly you will see a small trail leaving the road. You can take this trail a few hundred feet to the hot springs. Watch out for poison oak.
If you decide to pass on the hot springs, continue following the road as it climbs.
After around 3 miles of false summits and winding dirt road you will be faced with another fork in the road at a saddle.
Gaviota Peak
Go to the right and you can reach Gaviota Peak in just a short distance. From Gaviota peak enjoy great views of the ocean and the rolling hills of the Gaviota Coast. You can return back the way you came, or continue past the peak to the Trespass Trail.
Continuing past the peak
To return from the peak, you can continue on the trail heading toward the Trespass Trial. You will descend steeply on rocky trail that burned a few years ago. Eventually you will emerge onto an old road in a grassy area. Turn right on the old road.
If you pass through any cattle gates, please close them.
As you descend down the road you will eventually see a small sign pointing to the Trespass Trail. You can follow it back to the junction with the original dirt road you started on. You can also just stay on the dirt road and it will eventually bring you back to the parking area.
The total round trip for Gaviota Peak is 6-7 miles.