Chumash Painted Cove State Historic Park

A small cave of sandstone filled with rock art of the Chumash people that adjoins Painted Cove's small community is known as Painted Cave State Historic Park. The cave is eleven miles from Santa Barbara, California to the northwest and to the north of State Route 154 by approximately two miles. There are a number of drawings that depict the cosmology and other subjects of the Chumash using materials such as mineral pigments. The art covers anywhere from 200 to a over a thousand years.

The facility was placed in the status of a State Historic Park and a physical barrier was put up when evidence of graffiti left by the early settlers where found. The area was placed on the register of historical places during 1972. The meaning of the drawings on the walls is no longer known.

Parking at the facility is extremely limited with space for a maximum of three cars. Those pulling trailers or driving RVs are discouraged from attempting to travel the road leading to the park as it is narrow and steep. The cave is in a narrow canyon that can be cool all year long. It is recommended that visitors wear layered clothing.