“There is a castle on a cloud
I like to go there in my sleep.”
-Les Miserables
I love castles. Knapp’s Castle, unfortunately, was destroyed in a forest fire during the 1940s and all that’s left of it are sandstone ruins, fireplace pillars and some of the wall structures. This private property in Santa Barbara, California has a panoramic view of Lake Cachuma and Santa Ynez Valley. The owner is generous enough to open it to the public. The road to get there is paved but quite narrow and filled with twists and turns.
Once you get to the trailhead, park at the side of the road. I would not consider this a hike. It would be better to arrive early because it is a popular destination spot. It should be less than a mile from the trailhead to the ruins and back.
Below are several pictures of the ruins. If you decide to visit, you’ll probably see a lot of couples, engagement photo shoots, and tourist. In our case, we had to deal with a few drunk teens who mostly stayed out of our way but were still loud and obnoxious enough to be somewhat of a nuisance – or maybe I just prefer some peace and quiet during my hikes with nature.
I hope you enjoyed the pictures as much as I somewhat enjoyed visiting Knapp’s Castle.
My tips for this trip:
1. This should only a side trip if you’re in the Santa Barbara area.
2. Even if it’s only less than a mile round trip, always bring a bottle of water with you. It offers no shade and it does get hot during the summer.
3. There’s a debate on whether an adventure pass is needed to park on the side of the street. Make sure to double check before you go.
4. There are no restrooms in the area.
5. Bring a camera. Check out the link below if you’re looking for a new camera.
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Thanks for taking time to read my post and feel free to comment or ask questions. Please follow me on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn found at the bottom of my page. You may also visit my website for outdoor gears.
-Bel
Hello Bel, this is some beautiful work! Pictures are wonderful! Love to see the world in all its beauty!
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Hi JR! Thank you so much. It’s a beautiful place and easy to capture on camera. The world is full of stunning sceneries…😊
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Hi Bel! Just came across your blog, I like it! Beautiful photography! What WP theme do you use? Do you have any tips for me as a starting blogger? Thank you so much!
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Thank you Iris! My wp theme is Dyad 2. I know it may sound cheesy but write about what you love and the rest will follow 😊
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Thanks for the info! I prefer peace and quiet in nature too!
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You’re welcome 😊 Being quiet with nature is an awesome feeling!
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It is and I admit I resent people who ruin it for me!
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It’s different when people are just enjoying it – but being drunk and loud in an obnoxius way is a completely different story…
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For sure!
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Love this area, and never new this place existed. Thanks for sharing
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It’s pretty neat. I’m sure you’d like it as well 😊
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I need to get to the Santa Barbara area.
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You should! There’s so much to see 😊
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Passed through on a wine trip to Paso Robles. We fly into SB, then went north … first at a few wineries north of SB before heading north … then a few more in the Dutch town featured in Sideways (the movie) on the way back .. but very little time in and around SB.
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Paso Robles is nice and you can’t go wrong with the wineries. Dutch town is probably Solvang – I like that place too.
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Solvang … that’s the place. We had 3 wonderful days in Paso. Solvang was nice … but our time was limited. Our first day we had a wonderful afternoon at Fess Parker.
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Sounds like an amazing time! I love the wineries they are so relaxing and you can spend hours there just enjoying the view.
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Have you visited Fess Parker? I believe in San Ynez Valley north of SB. A wonderful & relaxing setting!
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Yes, I’ve been to most of the wineries in Santa Ynez Valley and loved it. 😊
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Ah ha … you must have good taste!
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Lol! I just love wineries – I should write about them one day. 👍
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A toast to you … Clink! We had a great time in Paso … Justin is a great tour … Loved Opolo, Peach Canyon, and several downtown as Pianetta and Anglum.
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The pictures are stunning 🌟🎉
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Thank you 😊
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fantastic.
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Thank you!
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It is a surprise for me that California has castles even ruins. Have many beautiful hikes!
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Lol! Castles are everywhere it seems 😂 Thank you!
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In Europe castles were build mainly for defence. I don’t know what is the reason they were build in California. For me California means ocean, beach, Napa Valley and Yosemite National Park. I have many other things to learn. Thanks!
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And don’t forget Mountains 😊❤️
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Hi, I love your blog! I’ve nominated you for the three days, three quotes challenge. I’d love it if you joined in! Here’s the link: https://theseareourdreams.wordpress.com/2018/04/15/three-days-three-quotes-day-two/
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Thank you 😊
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Reblogged this on davidbruceblog #2.
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Thanks for the reblog 😊
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Lovely pictures 😍
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Thank you! 😊
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I want to open a travel blog too. But I don’t know where should I start🙄
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As long as you love to travel – you’ll find your way. Just write about where you go and what you do…😊
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Ohk. I have travelled quite a lot. I thought before starting a travelling page I should start from a normal writing page to get there. Or should I ask you to take me with you hehe just kidding cheers. Thankyou
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You’re welcome. Keep me posted when you start your travel blog. I would love to read about it!
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Where will I find your Instagram handle🙄
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my instagram is roadsbeltravelled 😊
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Thankyou.😀
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Looks like a very cool place!
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Thank you. I lived near there, in Lompoc, Vandenberg AFB as a child. Wish we never had to leave.
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Such a pretty area! You must have enjoyed it immensely.
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Wow! I grew up in California and didn’t even know about this place. Sounds fascinating.
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There’s so many hidden gems in California and it’s great to explore them 😊 Thank you!
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beautiful pictures Bel. Very interesting to learn about castles ruined and I imagine you don’t have many castles where you are. But it was good of you to share the ruins of what is left of a castle. I love castles!
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Definitely not like Scotland or Ireland but still pretty amazing to explore. I love Castles too – there’s something magical about it 😊
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You should one day visit France, which I hope you have been before. You will cruise from castles to castles until you dropped haha, too many to see. I have some pics I have taken and not shared yet, still preparing the post that goes with it.
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I’m looking forward to reading and seeing the pictures on your blog then! Keep me posted once you’ve uploaded them. France is definitely on my list. Hopefully someday….😊
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Love this post, and your others too. Thankyou for sharing your adventures.
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Thank you for taking time to read it. I truly appreciate it 😊
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Hi Bel! I love to read about your hikes. There is a really cool ruins of a restaurant on top of Mt. Evans Colorado that looks similar to this place. I think you would love it. Thanks for taking us along on your journeys.
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I’m hoping to explore Colorado as well. It’s on my long list – hopefully sooner rather than later! Thanks for the tip on Mt. Evans restaurant ruins. I will definitely check it out when I’m there. 😊
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What an amazing view! Beautiful pictures.
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Thank you! It really was amazing 😊
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Beautiful photos
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Thank you 😊
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What a view, Bel. There are so few castles in the US and few that are now ruins. I can definitely see wedding photos (as well as rowdy teenagers) taking advantage of the site. The long-distance shot is magical. 🙂
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The long distance shot was an afterthought on the way back to the trailhead. I turned around and realized I missed it earlier because I was looking at the other views..there were so many 😂
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It’s magical. 🙂
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Thanks 😊
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Thanks ❤️
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I couldn’t go there…because of my “issues” but my family enjoyed the visit…and I enjoyed their photos–just like I enjoy yours! 😁👍💯
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Lol! I wish you had you would have loved it! 😊
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Santa Ynez isn’t the Grand Canyon but I know my limitations! I need handrails…walls…security! Meds are also an option! 😜😁👍
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You had me at handrails 😂
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It’s on my list for my next SB trip! 🙂
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Yay! So much to see in SB. So excited for you Nadya! 😊
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ruins are fascinating to me. it makes you imagine what life might have been like. they are stories waiting to be written.
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I feel the same way. It gives us a glimpse of a piece of history and what life was like back then. I hope I’d be able to visit more ruins in the future. Thank you for the comment. Truly appreciated 😊
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Nice thank you
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Thanks. I added some more pictures for some reason it didn’t all come out when I first published it. 😊
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I have had that problem too. WP is acting weird last few days.
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They have a new WP editor too. It probably just messed with me..😊
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