Chumash Painted Cave: what to know before you go

Painted Cave quick facts

Hours

Dawn to dusk (State Parks, checked Oct 17, 2026)

Getting there

Highway 154 from Santa Barbara, turn onto Painted Cave Road; the cave is on the left about two miles up a steep, narrow road

Parking

A pullout for one or two vehicles; no trailers or RVs

What you see

Chumash paintings behind a metal gate that protects them from vandalism

Chumash name

Alaxuluxen

Dogs

Allowed, per State Parks

Contact

805-733-3713 (State Parks)

From Cold Spring Tavern

5.1 mi, 13 min

Make a day of it on Highway 154

The cave is a short stop, so pair it with the rest of the pass:

• Lunch first: Cold Spring Tavern, 5.1 mi (13 min) away. Tri-tip, chili and weekend live music in an 1868 stagecoach stop.
• Morning by the water: Lake Cachuma is 9.8 mi from the tavern.
• From Solvang: 24.6 mi, 42 min to the cave.

Can you park at Chumash Painted Cave?

Barely. State Parks says the pullout at the site "will only accommodate one or two vehicles" and that "trailers and RVs should not attempt the road." Painted Cave Road is steep and narrow for about two miles from Highway 154. If the pullout is full, don't block the road: drive on and come back. A weekday morning is the easiest time to find a space.

What will you see?

Rock art is the draw. The walls of this small sandstone cave are covered in Chumash paintings, "some of the finest remaining rock art created by Chumash Native Americans," in State Parks' words. A metal gate went up after decades of vandalism, so you look in from outside. Please don't touch the rock.

Is there a virtual tour?

Yes, and it's free. CyArk worked with California State Parks and Chumash elder Ernestine Ygnacio-De Soto on a virtual "Tapestry" of the cave, built from CyArk's 3D scans. It shows the part of the cave the gate keeps you out of, so it's worth a look before you go. The link is on the State Parks page.

Good to know

What are Chumash Painted Cave hours? Dawn to dusk, per California State Parks.

Can you go inside Chumash Painted Cave? No. The paintings are protected by a metal gate, and you view them from outside. A free CyArk virtual tour shows the inside.

Are dogs allowed at Chumash Painted Cave? Yes, State Parks lists dogs as allowed.

How far is Chumash Painted Cave from Cold Spring Tavern? 5.1 miles, about 13 minutes.

Don’t miss

• The free CyArk virtual tour shows the part of the cave behind the gate. source

You might also like

• Cold Spring Tavern · about 14 min drive (5.1 mi). Lunch in an 1868 stagecoach stop. Tip: Closed Tuesday and Wednesday; no reservations. Official site · source
• Lake Cachuma · about 26 min drive (13.4 mi). Back up Highway 154 toward the valley. Tip: Day use and camping on the county park. Official site · source

Drive times are without traffic.

Nearby: eat, taste, stay

• Cold Spring Tavern: 1868 stagecoach stop, weekend tri-tip · 5.1 mi, 13 min
• Lake Cachuma: Boats, camping and a nature center · Back up Highway 154
• La Purísima Mission: Another State Parks site on the Lompoc side
• Santa Ynez: Honky-tonk nights since 1963

Quick answers

Is there parking at Chumash Painted Cave?

Only a pullout for one or two vehicles, about two miles up steep, narrow Painted Cave Road. State Parks says trailers and RVs should not attempt the road.