Rancho La Scherpa

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Driving Directions


If you are driving to Rancho La Scherpa from a southerly approach through Santa Barbara, click on "View Larger Map" link below the upper map for driving directions.


If you are driving to Rancho La Scherpa from a northerly approach through Santa Maria, CA, click on the "View Larger Map" link below the lower map.













Once you have turned off Hwy 101 from either the Northerly or Southerly approach, follow these directions 

Turn onto Refugio Road heading towards the mountains and away from the beach.

Once you leave Highway 101, you will travel 7 miles up Refugio Rd to get to Rancho La Scherpa. This drive will take you approximately 25 minutes.

Refugio Road is full of twists and turns, so drive carefully and be sure to stay in your own lane.

You will be treated to many spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean as you wind your way up the road, so be careful to keep your eyes on the road.

After you have driven approximately 6.5 miles, you will see the address 3333 Refugio Road on your left hand side. This is the former Reagan Ranch. Don’t let the street number confuse you. It is out of sequence with the other addresses.

Continue driving up Refugio Road.

One-half mile past the Reagan Ranch, you will see a yellow sign on your right hand side that states “Pavement Ends.” Immediately past the sign (about 15 yards), make your first right into Rancho La Scherpa

If you mistakenly take the second right, another 15 yards beyond our driveway, you will have turned on to El Camino Cielo and will be heading further up on the ridgeline away from camp.

Once you have turned into Rancho La Scherpa, you will travel approximately 1/2 mile. The first building you will see is the Manager's Home This is a private residence, please do not disturb. Immediately below the Manager's home is the Stonehouse which is the Administration Building. Please follow the driveway down to the Stonehouse parking area. Come around to the front door of the Stonehouse and check-in with the office when you arrive.

If no one is in the office, call the Camp Director, Jack Drake at (805) 448-5944 for assistance.

Please be careful of any electronic navigation system or online mapping service that provides directions directing you to come up Refugio Road from the Hwy 246 side of the mountain. This approach is extremely hazardous. It is a very narrow, rocky and heavily eroded jeep trail. It can no longer accurately be called a road.