A walk around Goleta’s Lake Los Carneros
is a relaxing, delightful way to not only get some exercise, but to take in the
beauty of the region. Though not especially well known to those outside the
immediate neighborhood, the lake — now about 25 acres — has existed in one form
or another for more than 9,000 years.
Members of the Chumash tribe lived in the area and
utilized what they needed of the waterfowl, fish, land mammals and tules around what was then a vernal pool or pools at the
north end of the Goleta Slough.
The lake, or Stow Pond as it was sometimes called, was
enlarged substantially by Sherman Stow after he built a home on adjoining
acreage where he began farming in the late 1800s. While Stow and his wife, Ida
Hollister Stow, were raising a family on Rancho La Patera,
he had an earth-fill dam constructed that doubled the lake’s capacity, allowing
irrigation of the home’s extensive gardens and orchards.
Today, the lake and surrounding acreage are still home to
numerous species of wildlife: bass, bluegill and black bullhead fish; while
raccoons; gray foxes; striped skunks; wild bunnies; and opossums are known to
inhabit the preserve.
Birds are an important ecological aspect of the lake,
with as many as 220 different species — many year
’round residents and others stopping off during migrations — residing at different
times in the preserve. The area also has its share of reptiles and amphibians.
It is also home to coastal sage, grasses, pampas grass
and tules, along with eucalyptus, oak, palm, Monterey
cypress and Monterey pine trees.
Visitors can view the lake from a bridge that also serves
as an overlook at the marshy north end of the lake.
Artists, on their own and with classes, frequent the
preserve on a regular basis, and birdwatchers consider it an excellent place to
spot wide varieties of the feathered creatures.
Students of all ages, elementary through college, come to
Lake Los Carneros to learn about eco-systems. Classes
sometimes combine the lesson with tours of the historical Stow House and Rancho
La Patera, which has displays of some of the first tractors
and other farm equipment used in the Goleta Valley.
The Goleta Valley Historical Society oversees the ranch.
Also adjacent to the lake is the historical Goleta Depot and South Coast
Railroad Museum.
Numerous women, men and children are regulars on the path
circumventing the lake; dog walkers, runners, infants in strollers, couples and
individuals frequent the peaceful oasis daily.
A stroll around Lake Los Carneros
is especially lovely early in the morning or at twilight, but anytime of day will deliver unexpected rewards.
How to get there
Lake Los Carneros
is between N. Los Carneros Rd. and N. La Patera Lane on the west and east, Covington Way on the
north and Calle Real on the south, just north of Hwy.
101. It can be accessed by walking around Stow House and toward the east.