Santa Barbara (Goleta, specifically) is where I grew up and where my parents still live, so I have spent a fair amount of time in the area. While San Marcos Pass Road (State Route 154) is now the preferred automobile route (due to a gentler grade and lack of tight curves), there still exists the old stagecoach route from the 1800s. This stagecoach route is steep, twisty and incredibly scenic (and, paved..quite nicely too!). There is quite a bit of history with the pass – you can read more about its history here and here. This route is known officially as North San Marcos Road and unofficially as Old San Marcos Pass Road. Old San Marcos, on its own, is a sweet, steep, tough and scenic climb absolutely worthy of climbing by any serious cyclist. But, at 3 miles long it is a bit short. You are in luck though. Old San Marcos leads right into Painted Cave Road, adding 2.4 miles of even steeper climbing to an already steep climbing route. 8.3% average grade for almost 5.5 miles. This is definitely one of the steepest sustained climbs around.

The climb up Old San Marcos starts about a half mile after turning inland from Cathedral Oaks Road as you cross the bridge – from here on up you get very few breaks. The starting bridge:

From 2010-05-09 – 1 – Old San Marcos Pass Cycling

As can be seen above, initially you are sheltered by a fair amount of vegetation. This quickly gives way to the standard, less sheltered vegetation of Santa Barbara:

From 2010-05-09 – 1 – Old San Marcos Pass Cycling

Gorgeous still, but don’t expect tons of shade.

From 2010-05-09 – 1 – Old San Marcos Pass Cycling

A few incredible houses perched along the road:

From 2010-05-09 – 1 – Old San Marcos Pass Cycling

Beautiful, green hillsides:

From 2010-05-09 – 1 – Old San Marcos Pass Cycling

Of course, for this sort of green (instead of golden/brown colors) make sure to do this climb in Spring..Summer gives way to the golden hillsides. A bit further along:

From 2010-05-09 – 1 – Old San Marcos Pass Cycling

What a parking spot:

From 2010-05-09 – 1 – Old San Marcos Pass Cycling

Not long after you will come to one of the steepest, toughest switchbacks you have ever ridden up:

From 2010-05-09 – 1 – Old San Marcos Pass Cycling

This will test you – not only is it incredibly steep but the lead-up section is also steep enough that your heart rate will already be high when you start this. This section is fun for masochists. For a high quality panorama of this switchback, click below for the panorama I assembled:

From HQ Panoramas

The above will give you a nice 1600 pixel wide view.

Shortly after this switchback you will encounter one more trying switchback. This one might be slightly easier than the previous one (we are talking relativity here – it is still really hard), but it still commands your attention. Once you complete it the views, as usual for this road, are spectacular:

From HQ Panoramas

Again, the above will give you a beautiful 1600 pixel wide view. This upper section gives you some great views of Goleta, Isla Vista and the Channel Islands:

From 2010-05-09 – 1 – Old San Marcos Pass Cycling

The top of Old San Marcos also affords some decent views:

From 2010-05-09 – 1 – Old San Marcos Pass Cycling

And is not a bad portrait spot:

From 2010-05-09 – 1 – Old San Marcos Pass Cycling

Me

From 2010-05-09 – 1 – Old San Marcos Pass Cycling

Mom

Of course, the climb isn’t done yet. You must cross 154 and continue up Painted Cave Road. This road is steep, to put it lightly:

From 2009-07-26 – Santa Barbara – Gibraltar Road Cycling
From 2009-07-26 – Santa Barbara – Gibraltar Road Cycling
From 2009-07-26 – Santa Barbara – Gibraltar Road Cycling

One of the more moderate sections (and a couple of rather nicely situated residences along the way):

From 2009-07-26 – Santa Barbara – Gibraltar Road Cycling

A cool rock that you pass by/under:

From 2010-02-12 – Santa Barbara – Gibraltar Road Cycling

Not long after and you will pass by Painted Cave itself – a cave with Chumash paintings dating to the late 1600s. If you want to view the cave itself, bring a flashlight.

From 2009-07-26 – Santa Barbara – Gibraltar Road Cycling
From 2009-12-25 – Goleta – Christmas – Old San Marcos & Painted Cave Cycling

This section of the road is very forested – and very narrow:

From 2009-07-26 – Santa Barbara – Gibraltar Road Cycling

Finally, you will come to the super steep switchback at the end of the climb:

From 2009-12-25 – Goleta – Christmas – Old San Marcos & Painted Cave Cycling

And finish in the little community of Painted Cave:

From 2009-12-25 – Goleta – Christmas – Old San Marcos & Painted Cave Cycling

The Old San Marcos/Painted Cave combination climb is one of the toughest (and most scenic) climbs in California. Here are some stats on the climb:

Old San Marcos:
Length: 2.97 miles
Elevation Gain: 1144 feet
Average Grade: 7.3%

Painted Cave Rd:
Length: 2.31 miles
Elevation Gain: 1108 feet
Average Grade: 9.1%

Old San Marcos & Painted Cave Combined:
Length: 5.44 miles
Elevation Gain: 2392 feet
Average Grade: 8.3%

8.3% for over 5 miles? Yeah, that qualifies as tough.

Here are some mapmyride maps for these climbs (click ‘View Elevation’ to familiarize yourself with how steep the climbs are):

Old San Marcos:

Painted Cave:

Old San Marcos & Painted Cave:

So yeah, go ride this. It really is that good.

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