Lazy Daze - Cachuma Lake Info

Cachuma Lake

Dates

December 3-7, 2025

Campground

Cachuma Lake

Address

Star Route, Hwy 154

Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Telephone

805-686-5055

Elevaton

810 Feet

Camping Fee

Reservations Required

Hosted By Past Tents

Web Address

http://countyofsb.org/parks/cachuma.sbc

Weather Forecast

Thanks to the wonderful world of technology,

Click the link below for the current conditions and forecast for Cachuma Lake.

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=34.55891789988457&lon=-119.88484954868909#.UqktoZHQEme

List of some of the things you can do at Cachuma Lake

Cachuma Lake

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is not only beautiful, but has lots and lots and lots of things to do: fishing, hiking, sailing (they have boat rentals), lake cruises with a naturalist, nature programs and a gem of a nature center.

Click here for their website that will give you more info about all the various activities.

Your webmaster would, however, like to give a special nod to the Cachuma Nature Center. It features an intriguing array of Native American artifacts, and plant, wildlife, historical and geological displays, and a gift shop. The Center is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. and on Sunday from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

In addition, the naturalist-guided lake cruises are worth a special mention. From November through February, the 2-hour tour focuses on bald eagles and other birds who make Cachuma Lake their winter home (from March 1st through October, the 2-hour tour focuses on the area's wildlife, wildflowers and resident birds). Reservations can by made by calling 805-686-5050. Click here for more information.

Solvang! The Danish Capitol of America!

Bakeries, restaurants, bakeries, wineries, bakeries, gift shops...and did we mention bakeries?

If you're craving a kringle, a Seven Sisters butter ring, or a bit of kranskage (or if you don't know what any of these delectable pastries are), take a right out of Cachuma Lake onto Highway 154, drive to the Highway 246 turn-off, turn left and follow the signs to Solvang.

If you want to do some research on Solvang first, click here for the Solvang Conference and Visitors Bureau website.

On a personal note, your webmasters were married in Solvang, one of them grew up in Solvang and we now call Solvang home. So it will come as no surprise that we have a favorite bakery: Olsen's Danish Village Bakery at 1529 Mission Drive (aka Highway 246). One of your webmasters heartily recommends the Swedish Delight...we have no idea why it is not called Danish Delight, but made of whipped cream, meringue and chocolate...well, they can call it anything they want as long as they keep making it!

Wine Tasting and Winery Tours

The Santa Ynez Valley produces some of the finest premium wines in the world. This may be the biased opinion of your webmasters (since we live in the Santa Ynez Valley), but it is also the unbiased opinion of most wine connoisseurs. From modest beginnings less than three decades ago, the valley now is home to over 100 wineries. The region is known especially for its outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but also produces fine Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and even Cabernet Sauvignon (in the hot east end of the Santa Ynez Valley), as well as many other varietals.

Click here for a list of Santa Ynez Valley wineries...addresses, phone numbers and tasting hours are included. Please note that the majority of wineries now charge for tastings.

There are also a plethora of tasting rooms in both Solvang and Los Olivos. Simply park your car, start strolling and you'll find more tasting rooms than you could hope to visit in one day!

And dear Caravaners, if you do plan on doing a little wine tasting, please consider having a designated driver.

Finally, you might want to keep in mind the following vocabulary:

Cheers! And Salute! And Sante! And Opa!

And Skål...that's Danish!

Cold Spring Tavern

Over one hundred years ago, dusty stagecoaches would stop at what was then known as "Cold Spring Relay Station" to change teams of horses and allow travelers to rest and enjoy a delicious meal (click here for a photo of the historical stagecoach marker, courtesy of Wells Fargo).

The stagecoaches may be gone and the name is now Cold Spring Tavern, but it is still a very popular place, especially on weekends. On Sundays, the place "belongs" to motorcyclists and it may be hard to find a parking place. Your webmasters recommend lunch or dinner on a weekday...the setting is beautiful, with the tavern nestled among trees near a pretty creek. The interior of the tavern is cozy and rustic, with lots of history displayed on the walls. And the food...whether you want a great steak or an ostrich burger or venison sausage, this wonderful little tavern is a winner.

Cold Spring Tavern is located on Stagecoach Road, which was part of the original stagecoach route from 1861 to 1901. Even after the stagecoach era ended, Stagecoach Road remained the only means of traversing the Cold Spring portion of San Marcos Pass (aka Highway 154) until 1963, when construction of the Cold Spring Arch Bridge was completed.

To get to Cold Spring Tavern, turn left at the campground entrance at Highway 154. Drive to Stagecoach Road and turn right. Just keep driving...you can't miss it, and you may feel as if you've stepped back in time.