Parma Park in Santa Barbara

If you are looking for a completely  authentic and natural hiking or earthly experience in Santa Barbara, California, Parma Park is the your desired destination. Nestled into the foothills on Stanwood Drive, this park boasts no modern conveniences or amenities; its main attraction is the rawness of the California earth it bears for visitors to tread through. Isolated from the bustle of city life, this serene park exudes a very rural feel. While there are a handful of picnic tables, Parma is utilized primarily as a grounds for hiking, biking, horseback riding and dog walking. The park is also a major landing zone for hang gliders and paragliders launching from Gibralter road.

Although much of the 200-acre park was destroyed in the devastating Tea Fire in 2008, the park still retains a breathtaking landscape and prevailing beauty. Hillsides of vibrant wildflowers and overgrown greenery illustrate the picture. The scenic view was not defeated by the disaster, making the park just as popular a recreation destination as ever.