Los Flores Ranch Park

If you’ve come to Santa Maria Valley to escape from the every day, you’ve come to the right place. We’re all about setting our away message, shutting down that phone, and clocking out to tap in. For the ultimate Do Not Disturb experience, we’re huge fans of Los Flores Ranch Park, a first-of-its-kind, 1,778-acre open-space area in Santa Maria Valley that offers an array of outdoor activities for nature-lovers and off-the-clockers of all kinds. Read on for our favorite Los Flores experiences:

Hiking
With 15 miles of hiking trails and tons of wildlife to view along the way, one of the best ways to unplug on your Santa Maria trip is to enjoy a hike in Los Flores Ranch Park. Guided tours and group nature walks are available for those seeking a little more structure and some nature education (you’ll learn tons of fun-facts about the park’s geology, plants, and animals)—or, simply pick up a trail map and head into the park on your own.

Horseback Riding
With plenty of trails to explore and a special entrance for equestrians, Los Flores Park makes for an incredibly serene setting for horseback riding. Terrain is varied, and you’ll even find a few options for panoramic vista points that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Be sure to download a Los Flores Ranch Park trail map for the horse corral location and more.

Mountain Biking
With miles and miles of trails and terrain to explore, Los Flores Ranch Park is the perfect setting for both experienced and beginner mountain bikers alike. Rolling hills and panoramic vista points make for varied terrain…and a ton of two-wheeled fun.

Animals & Wildlife
We’re all about unplugging, but we have to admit: with acres of landscape to explore and everything from donkeys to goats to admire, we wouldn’t blame you for snapping a few pics and sharing this interactive experience with your social media friends. Once you’ve made friends with the four-legged animals roaming the park, turn your eyes to the sky for a glimpse of flycatchers, kingbirds, grosbeaks, and warblers as they soar through the oaks during migration.

Location: 6245 Dominion Road—Head South on Highway 101 from Santa Maria, Left at the Clark Avenue Exit, Right on Dominion Road.

Cost:
o Children 17 and under: Free
o Adults 18-64: $3.00 per day
o Seniors 65+: Free
o Annual Pass (up to 6 guests per day): $52
o Veterans/Active Duty: Free

Hours:
o Spring/Summer: Thursday-Sunday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.*
o Fall/Winter: Thursday-Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.*
*Last Entry into Park is one hour before closing