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| Painted Cave Santa Barbara |
High above in the hills of Santa Barbara a cave can be found carved into the towering Sandstone boulders. Here one can gaze upon some of the finest Chumash Pictographs remaining from a long lost culture. Anthropologists estimate the paintings to be from the 1600's and possibly even earlier. The rock art here is in pristine condition and provides a great visual opportunity for the observer.
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| Nice informative sign |
With very few exceptions I almost always keep these locations secret however this particular site is well known and very well guarded. A steel locked gate has been installed to prevent vandalism.
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| Steel Gate protecting the art |
It is extremely important that these sites are protected and treated with respect. These are sacred places to the Chumash people, and quite possibly some of the only remaining links to there ancestral past. Vandalism and forms of mismanagement has played a major role in the destruction of paintings in other locations. I hope that places such as this help to educate the public on how important it is to preserve these sites. If your in the area I highly recommend a visit especially if you have been wanting to see Chumash Rock Art but have yet to stumble upon any in the wild.
The site is located off of Painted Cave Road. A quick google search can give you exact directions. Parking is limited to about 2 maybe 3 cars max.The Cave is located directly above the parking turnout. I saw nobody else while we were there. The views here from atop the cliff toward the Channel Islands are incredible and in itself worth a visit. I hope my two girls enjoyed the spot as much as I did.
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| My Girls |
Totally worth the visit. We took a look at the caves and lunch over the “road” at lizard mouth rocks.
ReplyDeleteYour review of the Chumash Painted Cave
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say thank you so much for your review of this place! I highly enjoyed visiting it and can tell you that there is a WHOLE LOT MORE to it than just what meets the eye!
There's a legend that whispers of an enigmatic formation, a hidden wonder, lying deep within the Santa Ynez Mountains: the towering head of a coyote with its facial features seemingly thrust outward from the mountainside right here at the Chumash Painted Cave of 'Alaxulux'en.
The best resource to learn much more of this timeless imprint is to read the story of a young Chumash brave named Chnawaway and his discovery of this site and its cosmic connections. Woven from threads of indigenous history, myth, and tradition, the tale of “Chnawaway and the Sky Coyote” creates a captivating story that celebrates the mystery and rich cultural heritage of Native Americans and the Chumash people.
You can learn more here: https://secondridgeconsultinggroup.com/chnawaway-and-sky-coyote
Thanks again for your review!
H A Bustos
Second Ridge Publishing
Author of Chnawaway and the Sky Coyote