Celebrating 20 Years.
RSVP Today!
Ellwood Mesa’s 20th Anniversary Celebration!
Saturday May 17, 2025 | 11 AM - 4 PM
Sperling Preserve, Ellwood Mesa
Twenty years ago, our community came together to save Ellwood Mesa, preserving its breathtaking open space for future generations. Thanks to your passion and dedication, it remains a sanctuary for monarch butterflies, native wildlife, and all who love to explore the trails, breathe in the ocean air, and soak in its natural beauty.
Now, it’s time to celebrate! Join us on May 17, 2025, for a free, family-friendly community gathering filled with fun, nature, and connection. Whether you helped protect Ellwood years ago or are just discovering its magic, this event is for you!
Come be part of this special day as we honor the past and inspire the future of Ellwood Mesa!
Arrive early to find parking (or valet your bike!) and jump into the fun right from the start—don’t miss a thing!
Community Celebration 12 PM - 4 PM
Explore & Play at Ellwood Mesa
Bring or Purchase a Picnic Lunch
Bike Valet
Kid-friendly activities
Scavenger Hunt
Freedom Trax Wheelchairs provided by NatureTrack
FireWise USA
Ellwood Mesa T Shirts or Stickers (for purchase)
Scheduled Activities
8:30 AM - Fun Run - 5Kish with SB Half Marathon. Park at Ellwood Elementary, then run starts at Sperling Preserve
11:00 AM - Tribute to Ellwood - Past, Present, and Future. Location: Main Tent by Sperling Preserve Parking Lot
11:00 AM - Bike the Bluffs with MOVE Santa Barbara County. Meet at Isla Vista Elementary
12:00 PM - Hear Ellwood’s Inspiring Story. Location: Main Tent by Sperling Preserve Parking Lot
1:00 PM - Bubbles by SB Bubble Guy. Location: Near Main Tent by Sperling Preserve Parking Lot
1:00-1:30 PM - Classical Music in the Grove. Location: Main Butterfly Grove
1:00 - 1:30 PM - Fire Marshal Frederick Tan - on managing vegetation and fire risk at Ellwood. Location: Main Tent by Sperling Preserve Parking Lot
2:00-2:45 PM - Nature Journaling with S. Courtney Walton. Location TBD
2:00 - 2:30 PM - Classical Music in the Grove. Location: Main Butterfly Grove
3:00 - 3:45 PM - Guided Bird Walk . Location: TBD
3:00 PM - Live Music. Location: Main Tent by Sperling Preserve Parking Lot
Check below for meeting locations and activity details!
8:30 AM - Fun Run
Join us for a scenic Fun Run to celebrate Ellwood Mesa! This non-competitive, community-building event kicks off at 8:30 AM at Ellwood Elementary, leading participants on a 5K-ish route with stunning views of the coastal bluffs. It’s a chance to come together, enjoy the open space, and appreciate this special place.
This is not a race—it’s a celebration! Invite friends and be part of the community spirit.
Parking: Please park at the elementary school, then cross the street to Sperling Preserve, where the run will start. The Sperling Preserve lot will be reserved for setting up the celebration, which begins at 11 AM.
Run start time: 8:30 AM
What to Bring: Water, hat, snacks—whatever you need for comfort.
Sponsor: Thanks to Santa Barbara Half Marathon for sponsoring this run and setting the route!
Strava - Here is the route on Strava.
11:00 AM - Bike the Bluffs: A Family-Friendly Ride to Celebrate Ellwood!
Join us at 11:00 AM for a family-friendly bike ride from Isla Vista Elementary to Ellwood Mesa, offering coastal bluff views. Reconnect with friends, meet new neighbors, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of our cherished open space.
This is a community celebration on wheels! This group bike ride will mainly be on trails. We suggest bringing your off road, gravel, or adventure bike. We will ride at a slow pace and make stops to enjoy the scenery and discuss how active transportation is imperative to the preservation of the natural environment.
Many thanks to MOVE Santa Barbara County who is organizing this bike ride.
Starting Point: Isla Vista Elementary
Time: Arrive at 11:00 AM
What to Bring: Helmet, water, snacks, a bike for off-road, gravel, or adventure bike! And bring anything else you need for a comfortable ride.
Cost: Free, thanks to our generous community sponsors MOVE Santa Barbara County.
Note: Free bike valet provided at the event.
2:00 PM - Nature Journaling with S. Courtney Walton
Discover the art of observing and documenting nature in a hands-on journaling class. Learn simple techniques to sketch, write, and connect with the landscape, whether you're a beginner or seasoned naturalist. Artists of all ages are welcome. 2:00-2:45 PM. Location TBD.
RSVP today!
20th Anniversary
Twenty years ago, Ellwood Mesa stood on the brink of irreversible development, threatening to erase its breathtaking natural beauty. Faced with this urgent challenge, our community united in a bold campaign, demonstrating the transformative power of collective action.
Many individuals and organizations dedicated tireless effort, generosity, and creativity to create the Ellwood-Devereux Coast Open Space Plan. This visionary plan successfully preserved 652 acres of diverse and cherished landscapes, and connected iconic areas such as the Ellwood Main Monarch Grove, Coronado Butterfly Preserve, and Sperling Preserve.
This extraordinary achievement was made possible through the collective commitment of hundreds of community members and advocacy organizations. For a fill list of supporters, please visit our Stories page. Please let us know if we missed someone! We’d love to share a complete list.
Today, Ellwood Mesa thrives as a vibrant sanctuary for wildlife and a cherished space for the community. It remains a beloved destination for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding, surfing, painting alfresco, and birdwatching. Ellwood also serves as a vital refuge for those seeking a deeper connection with nature.
Photo credit of Great Blue Heron: William Foley
Thanks to our Sponsors & Community Partners
Have an idea?
Want to sponsor?
Please let us know! The Ellwood Anniversary is a community celebration by and for the community and we’d love your input.
Small actions make a big difference.
Join us in writing the next chapter of Ellwood Mesa’s story. Become docent, join the steering committee, or volunteer at service day. Your support today will shape Ellwood’s future.
Give a little to make a big impact.
With your help, we can ensure that Ellwood Mesa thrives as a community-supported landscape - for today and future generations.
