The Atlas Obscura Guide To

Carpinteria

3 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Carpinteria, California

Unusual
Attractions
in Carpinteria

Happy harbor seals lounge within the rookery.

Carpinteria, California

Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve

Happy harbor seals frolic and snooze on this warm, sandy stretch of coast.

34.3926, -119.5176

Added by jondi letnap

Carpinteria Tar Pits.

Carpinteria, California

Carpinteria Tar Pits

Inky sludge oozes to the surface of this beach thanks to a rare natural tar seep.

34.3864, -119.5082

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Carpinteria, California

Wardholme Torrey Pine

At 130 years old and 126 feet tall, it is the largest known example of the rare Torrey pine tree.

34.3981, -119.5169

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Inside the Australian Garden at Lotusland.

Santa Barbara, California

Lotusland

Acres of natural wonders left behind by a socialite-turned-gardener.

34.4430, -119.6574

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8 MILEs FROM Carpinteria

The estate lies in disrepair.

Santa Barbara, California

Franceschi Park

The home of one of California's most important horticulturalists wilts amidst a lovely park.

34.4405, -119.6941

Added by KirstenCunningham

10 MILEs FROM Carpinteria

Front entrance to the Whale House.

Santa Barbara, California

Whale House

This stunning sea creature-shaped home blends into the landscape like a fantasy villa.

34.4499, -119.7100

Added by Evan Nicole Brown

11 MILEs FROM Carpinteria

Ventura Oil Refinery. (tunnelbug/Flickr)

Ventura, California

Ventura Oil Refinery

Rusty industrial city full of oxidized distillation towers.

34.3322, -119.2947

Added by btracy

13 MILEs FROM Carpinteria

Atlas Obscura Trips

Dark Skies, Desert Beasts: A Night Photography Workshop in Borrego Springs, California

May 2—May 5, 2019

Journey deep into the desert of Southern California to explore and photograph the Dark Sky Sculptural Oasis of Borrego Springs.

Explore Carpinteria, California

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