Celebrating 20 Years.
Thanks to our partners, sponsors, and community for an incredible day!
RSVP Today!
Ellwood Mesa’s 20th Anniversary on Saturday May 17, 2025
11 AM - 12 PM - Tribute to Ellwood - Past, Present & Future
Hear Ellwood’s Inspiring Story at Ellwood Elementary, 7686 Hollister Ave
12 PM - 4 PM - Ellwood Mesa Appreciation
Sperling Preserve, Ellwood Mesa, 7729 Hollister Ave
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!
Ellwood Mesa Appreciation
12 PM - 4 PM
Explore & Play at Ellwood Mesa with community partners:
Ellwood Friends, The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, Environmental Defense Center, Move Santa Barbara County, NatureTrack, Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade, Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council, Santa Barbara Zoo, Sierra Club SB-Ventura Chapter, The Skunk Corner, and Wilderness Youth Project.
Bring or Purchase a Picnic Lunch
Bike Valet
Kid-friendly activities
Scavenger Hunt
FireWise USA
Freedom Trax Wheelchairs available for Ellwood’s 20th Anniversary
In support of the Ellwood Mesa 20th Anniversary celebration, NatureTrack Foundation will be providing 8 Freedom Trax mobility devices to help make the trails more accessible for individuals who use wheelchairs or have mobility challenges. Freedom Trax converts a manual wheelchair into an electric, all-terrain device—ideal for exploring natural trails.
Reserve a Freedom Trax in advance: Click Here.
Activities provided by Ellwood Friends, The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, Environmental Defense Center, Move Santa Barbara County, NatureTrack, Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade, Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council, Santa Barbara Zoo, Sierra Club Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter, The Skunk Corner, and Wilderness Youth Project.
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: Ellwood Elementary
11:00 AM - Bike the Bluffs with MOVE Santa Barbara County. Meet at Camino Corto Open Space
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Picnic Pick Up from Mo’s To Go. Location: Sperling Preserve Parking Lot
1:00-1:30 PM - Bubbles by SB Bubble Guy. Location: Sperling Preserve Parking Lot
1:00-1:30 PM - Classical Music in the Grove. Location: Main Butterfly Grove
1:30 - 2:00 PM - Fire Marshal Frederick Tan - on managing vegetation and fire risk at Ellwood. Location: Sperling Preserve Parking Lot
2:00-2:45 PM - Nature Journaling with S. Courtney Walton. Location: Sperling Preserve Parking Lot
2:00 - 2:30 PM - Classical Music in the Grove. Location: Main Butterfly Grove
3:00 - 3:45 PM - Birding Journey through Ellwood with Dan Fontaine, Wilderness Youth Project. Location: Meet at the Sperling Preserve Parking Lot
4:00 - 8:00 PM - After Party at Draughtsman Aleworks. Location: 53 Santa Felicia Dr, Goleta.
5:00 PM - Storytelling Pop-Up by Backbone Storytelling. Join us for true stories on the theme "Metamorphosis" and a fundraiser for Ellwood Friends at Draughtsmen Aleworks (53 Santa Felicia Dr).
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 Camino Corto Open Space in Isla Vista 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: Camino Corto Open Space
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.
Ellwood Mesa Picnic Packs
Celebrate 20 years of Ellwood Mesa with a delicious to-go picnic! Each pack includes your choice of sandwiches, sides, a refreshing drink, and a fresh-made cookie—all picnic-ready and eco-packaged.
As you enjoy your delicious picnic in the beautiful Ellwood Preserve, please remember that we follow pack in, pack out practices.
10% of each purchase will be donated to Friends of the Ellwood Mesa, and the remainder supports local food justice and job training through Mo’s To Go.
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: Sperling Preserve
5:00 PM - Storytelling Pop-Up by Backbone Storytelling at Draughtsman
Come celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Ellwood Mesa with an evening on the theme “Metamorphosis.”
10 minute stories drawn at random. Put your name in the bowl if you have a tale to tell, or simply sit back, enjoy local bites & brews, and listen to your community take flights.
All are welcome to share. Stories can be about Ellwood or anything else related to Metamorphosis.
Doors open at 4 PM. Stories at 5 PM.
Location: Draughtsman Aleworks, 53 Felicia Dr.
Draughtsman will donate $1 to Ellwood Friends for every Czech Pilsner purchased.
A Czech-style old-school bohemian pilsner. Brewed with Saaz hops. Floral. Clean. Crisp. Dry lingering finish. Easy drinking.
Many thanks to our sponsors: Backbone Storytelling and Draughtsman Aleworks.
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
Kevin Gleason Fine Art
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.
