Gaviota Wind Caves Hike

The Gaviota Wind Caves is an intermediate hike near the coast about 45 minutes north of Santa Barbara proper.  The area was burned in a brushfire about 5 years ago and the native plants that require sunlight provided to the lower levels of the brush are thriving this time of year.  The caves are carved out of sandstone by the salty ocean air and there is beach access about half a mile from the caves.  The unique combination of sandy beach bluff, elevation and protection from the wind provides a unique little ecosystem for local plants.  Many of the caves are big enough for several people to sit in and it's a great place to picnic. 

I found this plant growing at the foot of the caves.  Looks a lot like my spike moss but it is less translucent and more stiff.  I put some in an incubator terrarium to see how it handles the conditions but as it was growing in very dry powdery sand I am not sure it will like the soil in my terrariums.

Check out the full album of photos from the hike here.