Pacific Coast Sec. 4, Maps 54-55. US 101 wildfire closure. 10/21

[CMajernik]

The Alisal wildfire has forced the closure of US 101 in both directions west of Santa Barbara. It is closed from SR 1 to Winchester Canyon Rd. in Goleta. There is no easy reroute around this closure. We've been told that SR 154 is one of the only ways around it, but the highway is narrow and windy and has heavy traffic, especially if US 101 traffic is rerouted onto it. We recommend renting a vehicle, or finding a ride to get around the closure. For more information see https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7862/67298

[noshbygosh1]

Hi Carla

Thank you for posing this.  I currently am in San Simeon, headed south.  If things stay on schedule,
I will be entering the area with the fire on Friday with Santa Barbara the intended destination.  As you suggest, it seems my only alternative is to head inland into Solvang for getting into Santa Barbara.  I need to be in LA (Marina del Rey) on Saturday.  I would be grateful for any other suggested alternatives.  I also will check in tomorrow with other cyclists.

Matt B

[Pat Lamb]

PMFJI, but heading to Solvang to take 154 is precisely what Carla recommended against.  Imagine a four lane divided highway being closed, and re-routing all four lanes of traffic onto a winding, two-lane road.  That's 154, San Marcos Pass Rd from Solvang to Santa Barbara.  It was interesting in a car the (one) time I drove it.

The fire is also impacting Amtrak, so Lompoc to Santa Barbara is not currently viable on a train.  Inciweb reports closures are likely at least until the weekend, so you might roll the dice there.

I suspect the further north you turn east, the less problem diverted traffic from the 101 will be.  I've never been on 58 or 166, nor on 33 down through Ojai, so I can't give you on-the-ground reports on those routes.  You might be able to catch a flight from Santa Maria down to LAX.

Good luck!

[noshbygosh1]

What about taking 154 around Los Olivos and riding on it to Solvang and then paying for a taxi/Uber/Lyft from there into Santa Barbara?  The other option for me seems to be is to hire a one way rental from Santa Maria into Santa Barbara.

[Pat Lamb]

Either of those might work out OK.  IIRC the stretch from Solvang to Santa Barbara on 154 is about 30 miles.

[aggie]

Heading south past Guadalupe is Hwy 166.  You could take it until it meets Hwy 33 then head south to rejoin the route.  I drove 166 several years ago and it didn’t have much traffic.  Not sure about the total mileage of the detour.

[amywally]

UPDATE: US 101 has reopened after a 4-day closure due to the Alisal Fire.

https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/hwy-101-along-the-gaviota-coast-reopens-after-days-of-closure-due-to-the-alisal-fire

[noshbygosh1]

Post Script:  Thank you again for helping me navigate around the fire.  As it turned out, Santa Barbara had reopened Hwy 1 on the day I was traveling through the area.  I however had already obtained a rental car from Avis the prior night and diverted around this trouble area in continuing the final leg of my journey to LA.  I deeply appreciate the care and help in helping me manage this uncertainty.

Happy spinning.

Matt B