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Douglas Family Preserve
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
31 reviews for Douglas Family Preserve
31 reviews in English
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Review from Julie G.
Santa Barbara, CA
1/22/2012
My Vizslas and I love going here weekly, we'd go daily if the park was closer to home. It's a beautiful and enjoyable area to walk with an incredible view of the channel islands, frequently spot dolphins and at times whales. Wonderful view of the surf and Hendry's beach below at the farthest end of the walk. There are a couple of resident hawks, numerous woodpeckers and a horned owl. The mountain side of the trail has a beautiful view of Los Padres and Elings. We usually walk the full circle 3 times, takes us about an hour.
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Review from Marcia B.
Santa Barbara, CA
1/18/2012
Handsdown THE best off leash dog park in all of Santa Barbara. Beautiful, untouched wilderness that deserves a full walk thru. Thank you to the Douglas family for keeping it public land iunstead of it going to McMansions and condoville--we are forever indebted to you!
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Review from La D.
Goleta, CA
11/23/2011
An amazingly beautiful place to jog or walk your pets. Bring a camera! :)
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Review from Rachel W.
8/26/2011
One of my most favorite thinking spots...I miss being away. No matter the weather, I always found it peaceful and beautiful here.
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Review from Steph C.
10/7/2010
Matt B. and I are aspiring dog owners and as a general rule enjoy dog-watching more than people-watching. One sunny afternoon, Matt took me to this awesome dog park to indulge in this little hobby.
We entered from a residential street, and at first I was unimpressed with the canine presence. What I didn't realize was that the preserve stretched far beyond what my eyes could see from the entrance. We walked all the way to the end and back, and saw not only plenty of awesome dogs, but also beautiful views of beaches and ocean and tons of lush greenery in the preserve itself.
Matt mentioned that the preserve was at one point bought by a development company and that many locals went through great lengths to collect the money to buy it back and maintain its natural state. The largest single donor was apparently Michael Douglas, hence the name. I'm not sure that alone is enough to make me watch Money Never Sleeps, but still, kudos Sir Douglas. -
Review from Tiffany G.
Santa Barbara, CA
7/23/2011
My Australian Shepherd pup loves this place, and so do I! The view is amazing, and it's very well kept. All the owners that take their dogs to this beach are incredibly friendly, and all the dogs are (for the most part) well behaved. Parking is easy enough but can get crowded on the weekends.
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Review from melanie h.
La Mesa, CA
7/19/2011 1 photo
Love this place and so do dogs! The view is amazing.
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Review from Agatha M.
Wilmington, CA
6/15/2008
I almost want to review this place again and again so that I could give it all the stars it truly deserves. This place is AMAZING.
My fiance and I stopped here on our way from LA to SF for the weekend. This was our first road trip with the puppahs, so I wanted to make sure that we had good places to stop and let the dogs go out and relax a bit during the long ride. I looked up dog parks in the area on Yelp and good lord, thank god I did. This place definitely lived up to the hype. It was so beautiful. If I didn't have a dog, I would probably love it here anyway! It doesn't even feel like I'm in a big city like Santa Barbara. It feels like I'm a million miles away in my own little paradise by the coast. It's quiet, the only things I hear are my puppahs, my fiance, and the rustle of the trees. It's sooo perfect. I am seriously considering finding my next job in Santa Barbara simply for this park.
My dogs LOVED it. We walked in and a few yards in from the entrance, we let them off the leash. I was constanly afraid that they would tumble into the cold harsh ocean over the cliffs, but they never did. They actually listened when we called them back. They loved sniffing around every single tree and every single bush and every single flower. I was thinking we would never make it to SF because they just couldn't get enough of the park, but they got tired and we eventually herded them back into the car. They were tired and happy happy dogs.
We are definitely making our way back to this little paradise sometime soon, and for way longer than an hour or two. -
Review from Jim K.
Long Beach, CA
2/24/2009 3 photos
I was driving back to Long Beach after spending the holidays with relatives and wanted a place to stop to let my pooch, Cody, stretch his legs and well, take care of business.
Looked online and the Douglas Family Preserve seemed a perfect fit. It's a bit of a drive off the 101 and you have to drive through some housing areas, but it's worth it.
If your dog needs to run, this is a great spot with an awesome view of the ocean. Not sure if there is beach access because the areas I was in was pretty high up a cliff.
Most of the dogs I saw there were large and super friendly. They seemed to love the chance to stretch their legs. Also, the owners seemed to be considerate and had control of their dogs off the leash. This is not always the case in some of the dog parks I've been to. -
Review from Sash R.
Pasadena, CA
9/12/2010 7 photos
Read about this place on Yelp, saw it on an episode of the Dog Whisperer and had to take the pup here to try it out for ourselves. It totally lived up to its reputation and was well worth the drive from Pasadena.
This park is the perfect place to take your dog if you want to tire them out while giving yourself something to enjoy in the process. We'll be back again soon. -
Review from Mari K.
Ventura, CA
8/6/2009 3 photos
If you're a temporary transplant, like myself, you cannot leave this city without coming here. It's amazing. The views will compete with *Love* for your soul's affection.
You can bring your dog and let him/her off the leash; also, there are light trails for mini explorations...that is, once you hike that hill to the top. It's a small hill, bout a 5 minute hike--the length of a song on your iPod. It's kinda a b-word if you're rusty, but trust me--so worth it. -
Review from Catherine K.
Philadelphia, PA
6/16/2010
Glad I used yelp to find this place. This is a perfect place to take your dog for a stroll. We picked up some breakfast sandwiches and parked ourselves on a log and enjoyed the beauiful view. Highly
Recommend visiting this spot if you'd like a breathtaking view. -
Review from Stacey P.
Ventura, CA
5/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm lucky because my grandmother lives right around the corner from this amazing place. As a family on Easter we went for a walk, took in the fresh air and smiled at all the dogs. The ocean views at the bluffs are amazing and remind me of the Coronado Butterfly Preserve also in Santa Barbara. If you haven't been there yet and love this place I highly recommend it. It took a lot of effort to keep this wonderful place so please take good care of it and pick up after your pups!
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Review from D. R.
Malibu, CA
6/8/2008
Marvelous.
And my dog seems to like the place.
His first glimpse of the ocean.
He seemed confused at first, but he got the flow of it.
Perfect in the AM.
As of late the brisk temps have been a great wake up.
Everyone around was nice, cordial and their dogs were well behaved. I've been to other dog parks in other cities, and I always think I'm about to be asked to place a bet and who do I got?
As there are some real growlers out there. -
Review from Shoshanna L.
WA
11/18/2007
The most prettiest place in Santa Barbara. It is spectacular, and also there are dogs.
Thanks for saving the Wilcox Property, Michael Douglas! I will never speak ill of your fine films! -
Review from Matthew S.
San Francisco, CA
10/18/2007
Aka, "The Wilcox Property", Aka "The Dog Park"
I used to go here almost every day, as it is the only park in Santa Barbara where you're allowed to walk your dogs off leash. It is a fairly large park, and when you have small dogs, as I do, it is an awesome place to walk your dogs. They can get an excellent amount of exercise here, and there a lot of other dogs, so it's nice to let them get out and socialize. You can also see people who take off and go para-gliding here, and that's fun to watch too.
This park is located directly above Arroyo Burro Beach, and the views from here are utterly amazing. Being Santa Barbara, the weather is always nice, and the sunsets here are spectacular. You are doing yourself a disservice if you live in Santa Barbara and don't come here at least once.
Plus, I have a secret bench here, that is nearly impossible to find...I always loved sitting there, Newcastle in hand, dogs running around...good friends...makes me miss Santa Barbara quite a bit... -
Review from Lillie S.
Santa Barbara, CA
6/8/2011
There's a lot of dogs, but it's a beautiful area
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Review from Jill B.
Carson, CA
6/26/2010
This is our first trip to Santa Barbara, looking for some dog-friendly trails, since its also our first time bringing our dog along. All I can say is thank goodness me and the hubby found this place. It has a spectacular view of the Santa Barbara coastline and it also overlooks the Arroyo Burro Beach area, which I will cover on a separate review.
We went here on a Saturday afternoon and we encountered fellow dog owners with their pets off-leash. I like the fact that even on a Saturday afternoon, this area is not overcrowded and leaves a lot of room for both dogs and their owners to explore the beauty of the preserve. Will definitely come back again next time we visit -
Review from Julie Z.
1/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
came here with my friends and we absolutely love it!! It's so pretty and the view is GORGEOUS. plus, we are all dog lovers and its sooo cute and fun to see dogs interact and explore! There's alot of people that go and its a nice place to take a walk or hang out with your pets! The people are friendly and so are the dogs! parking is in a residential area but its easy to find parking and the view is just amazing! We saw the sunset and everything. you can walk through this in an hour. I'd come back again and this makes me want to get a dog now! so cute!! gorgeous place with a great view of the sunset!
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Review from Jon B.
Santa Barbara, CA
5/10/2011
Live nearby and this is a great sunset walk. Ocean views, whales and dolphins. Highly recommend it.
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Review from Thomas P.
Santa Barbara, CA
5/8/2008
If you hate dogs then I don't recommend it, but I love dogs and find "The Wilcox Property" (as it's locally known) simply amazing. The sunset views are some of the best in the area and the dirt paths wind through the area with a natural grace you won't find in a highly manicured park.
There are multiple entrances to the park, on at the corner of Medcliff rd & selrose ln, another at the end of Mesa School Lane, and yet another at the intersection of Las Positas and Cliff Dr. -
Review from Bridgette O.
Santa Barbara, CA
4/5/2011 1 photo
Love the walk here. It is so beautiful and a great place to walk your dogs off leash.
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Review from David C.
Santa Barbara, CA
3/5/2011
One of our two favorite places to take our dogs. Most of the property is off leash, once you get into the park. This seems to make all of dogs happy cause there are no confrentations. Our dogs are very happy to run free and meet & greet the other dogs. Great ocean views from the top of the cliffs. A great place for you and your dogs to unwind.
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Review from Angus M.
Santa Barbara, CA
11/20/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Can be a little crowded, but a lot of space, and great views of the ocean and up at the hills behind SB
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Review from Sarah S.
Santa Barbara, CA
11/30/2010
My boyfriend lives a block away from this preserve...Although I still call it Wilcox, the original name from many moons ago! I would consider the terrain flat for not being paved, but has many minitrails to go all around the lot. The bluff is amazing, they did have a California commercial done there after all (you know, come to California?!)! Kobe (my dog) loves running around with his dog friends without having to feel like you are somehow being a delinquent. There are poop bags for those who forgot some at home, so there are no excuses to pick up after your K9. Beautiful at all hours of the day, easy access, clean, and friendly.
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Review from Alicia S.
Oak View, CA
5/23/2010
I love bringing my puppy here. The people and dogs we have come across are all very friendly, the park is clean, and there are beautiful views of the surrounding beaches from the top of the cliffs. Definitely a favorite off-leash dog spot.
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Review from A. H.
Palo Alto, CA
7/4/2010
Like taking walks with beautiful ocean views? Got a happy outgoing dog, that likes to play outside with other dogs? Than the Douglas Family Preserve is the place for you. dog poo bags are provided, please use them!
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Review from dylan h.
Sacramento, CA
11/6/2007 1 photo
FattyMatty introduced me to this place and for that I shall be forever grateful, I'm a little bitter he got 1st review. Quite possibly the most beautiful location in one of the most beautiful cities. With expansive views of the beach a hundered feet down and the islands in the distance, this is THE place in SB to view a sunset.
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Review from angie b.
Santa Barbara, CA
3/26/2008
If Rob Lowe likes it (he's in a "Go California" commercial sitting at the preserve), then I like it! And of course my dog likes it too. It's especially beautiful right now (Spring) when the meadows are lush and green and the wildflowers are blooming. This is the place I go to at least twice a week, and I constantly think to myself how lucky I am to live in Santa Barbara. Whether I have my dog with me or I come to meditate, I always leave feeling peaceful.
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Review from Sharon B.
Alameda, CA
3/22/2009
Visited here with our dog today and I think we liked even more then Henry's Beach. The views were spectacular and the area is very serene. Our puppy had so much fun romping through the tall grass and passed out in the car on the way home. It was well taken care of for a park that allows dogs.
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Review from roger r.
Santa Barbara, CA
2/3/2011
People who have been here a year or two call it Douglas Family Preserve, people here for a longer time, the Wilcox, and an even longer time here- the Nursery. Sometimes its a fact of life to save something, you have to expose it. For a looooong time, the only people who came here were the people from the neighborhood, and a few who drove here from other parts of town. When a L.A. developer threatened to make the whole property a retirement community, the whole town broke out in fundraisers, car washes, bake sales, and all sorts of ways to try to buy the property, we were a million short, and at the eleventh hour, the Douglases stepped in with the money, hence the name. It will be different things to different people- If you have lived here a long time, before it was on T.V., Yelped, and advertised by the city to the world. You will remember it as an uncrowded paradise at one time, now just pretty darn nice. If you just drove here 2 hours from.L.A.., the land of dog parks that look like concentration camps filled with pitbulls, you will be overcome by the amazingness of it all. (although, years ago, there was a time when people dumped cars and other junk out here) Since it has been exposed to the world, it can get pretty crowded-come around sunset on a nice day, and elbow yourself a space on the cliffside! Anyhow, if you have any interest in being kind to the neighbors that used to have a quiet neighbor hood-Please- Don't let your dogs bound straight out of the car into a neighbor's yard, take a crap, and walk away as if you didn't see, don't park with your car blocking a driveway. To the right of the entrance, there is a dispenser for the dog leavings-use them. A lot of people out there now use all sorts of creative dodges to not pick up crap. The most popular seems to be mobile device use. This technique consists of staggering along the trail, chattering like a baboon into the little box, talking to nobody about nothing important, thus allowing you to ignore your dog and its leavings. There is one woman who rides her bike out here, screeching into her handsfree, ignoring her dog as he craps here and there. I walk there twice a day, seven days, and more often than not-crap on my shoe. The other strange half-technique gaining in popularity is to bag the crap, and leave the bags here and there, as if you were going to return for it- I see squished, stepped on ones all the time. The ones i see at night, are always there the next morning, and there are locals who pick up the bags for those who wont. So if you are going to take all the time to drive here, at least pretend you care about the place. Oh, and lest you think I am a grumpy guy who hates dogs, I am a dog lover who walks mine twice a day here- and cleans up after them! It takes very little effort.
