Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake

The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake offers K-12 field trips during the academic year, indoor exhibits on local history, geology, plants, animals, and more, and the Neal Taylor Nature Center Native Garden, where native plants are labeled and include QR codes for more information. It also offers the Don Wimpress Trail, a 1/2 mile easy hike that is not paved, plus Nature Center Detectives scavenger hunts with short and longer versions.

Programs

• Food for Thought Lecture Series — Adults · Generally held on a Sunday afternoon; offered seasonally · Lectures by experts on local topics such as Native-American culture and language, plants, animals, local history, and the environment.
• K-12 Field Trips — K-12 · Throughout the academic year · Offered to school groups by the Santa Barbara Park Department; also available to summer camp groups. Students learn about flora, fauna, and natural processes.
• Indoor Exhibits — Open to the public year-round · Exhibits on local history, geology, plants, animals, and more.
• Neal Taylor Nature Center Native Garden — Always open year-round · A stroll through the native plants and critters of the garden; native plants are labeled and have QR codes for more information.
• Don Wimpress Trail — A 1/2 mile hike starting and ending at the Nature Center; trail guide available; trail is rated easy and is not paved.
• Nature Center Detectives – Scavenger Hunt! — Ages 3-6, ages 6-12, teen and adult · Offered during open nature center hours · Interactive scavenger hunts for learning about plants, animals, and local history; short and longer versions available; docents provide hints and review answers; prizes awarded.
• Project FeederWatch — Most Thursdays and Fridays, November-April · Weekly birdwatching/survey program where volunteers document birds at the feeders and send counts to Project FeederWatch at the Cornell Lab.
• Trout in the Classroom — Local school children on field trips · January to March · A program to experience raising trout from eggs to fry; Nature Center volunteers answer questions and trout are eventually released to a pre-approved site.
• Fish Derby — All ages · Every April; two-day annual event on a Saturday and Sunday · Fishing event at Cachuma Lake Recreation Area; registration required before or during the event; cash prizes and merchandise prizes are awarded; participation fee required.
• Going Batty — April/May through September/October · Weekly docent-led talks and observation of native California bats.

At a glance

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Facility hours: Thursday-Saturday: 10am-4pm; Sunday: 10am-2pm

About the provider

Founded in 1988, the Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake has a mission to encourage public understanding, enjoyment, and protection of Cachuma Lake, the Upper Santa Ynez River, and the San Rafael Mountain Range Watershed. The Nature Center works with the Santa Barbara Park Department on K-12 field trips and involves volunteers and docents in exhibits, programs, and bird counts.

Programs are subject to cancellation and dates or times may change. Many programs are offered at a low cost or with a donation of whatever someone can give.

Last updated October 30, 2026.