By Jennifer Best

Photo by Jennifer Best
	Hikers rest in the shade next to Nojoqui Falls

In the furthest corner of a box canyon at Nojoqui Falls Park, a white ribbon of cold water cascades down a dark-green moss-covered rock wall to a small pond. Visitors stretch out on the stone seating area to relax in the dappled shade of sycamore and oak trees and listen to the rush of water on rock.

The beautiful spot is about a half hour's drive south of Santa Maria, and it's been a favorite destination for adventurous locals for decades. It's now managed by Santa Barbara County Parks, and includes grassy play areas, barbecue and picnic areas, an arena, playground equipment and horseshoe pits. Its most unique feature, however, is its namesake waterfall, which is easily accessible and only a 10-minute hike for the average walker.

To get there, turn east onto the Old Coast Highway where it cuts off from Highway 101 about 5 miles south of Buellton. Follow the signs to Nojoqui Falls Park, turning left onto Alisal Road, then right into the park. (For a more scenic trip to or from Santa Ynez Valley, continue east on Alisal Road past the park and on toward Highway 154/San Marcos Pass.)

The greatest challenge about the Nojoqui Falls Park is not the hike nor finding a private spot under a sprawling oak tree, but pronouncing its name. Ask locals how to do that, and responses include "no-JOKE-ee," "no-HO-kee," and "NAH-wee." According to a parks department employee, however, the proper pronunciation is "NAH-ho-wee."

Nojoqui was a rancheria in the Mission La Purisima territory. Local experts say the word "nojoqui" seems to stem from the language of the local Chumash tribe, but its meaning is now unknown.

Any way you pronounce it, Nojoqui Falls and its surrounding park are beautiful. Three-tenths of a mile into the park, the paved road loops around a dirt parking area under a canopy of trees. Large signs mark the trailhead and facilities here include restrooms and a picnic table.

The trail up to the falls is very wide and fairly well groomed. Keep your eyes open for large rocks, ruts and roots that pose tripping hazards further up the trail. They could frustrate anyone challenged by walking and make the trail impassable to most wheelchairs.

Though quite short by most hikers' standards, the trek along gurgling Nojoqui Creek is a pleasant one and well worth a quick stop, or a lengthy picnic. Benches along the trail invite walkers to lounge, relax, read a book or nap.

According to birders, wildlife in the park includes the Yellow-billed Magpie, Pacific Slope Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler, Oak Titmouse and California Towhee

The trail dead-ends at the 160-foot-tall Nojoqui Falls. Interpretive signs at the base explain that while most falls cut a rut into mountainsides Nojoqui Falls is growing away from the wall as water deposits minerals.

During summer months, the waterfall can become little more than a trickle bubbling through the Venus Maidenhair Fern and other ferns and mosses that have taken root in the growing mineral deposit. After heavy rains, however, visitors may want to take an umbrella to keep off some of the over spray as the trickle turns to torrent.

Need more information? Call 934-6211 for park information or to reserve any of the four picnic areas, the largest of which accommodates up to 350 people.

Writer Jennifer Best is a Central Coast native who loves going hiking with her husband and baby.

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