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The area of Southern California from the Pacific Coast to the slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains, including the city of Santa Barbara, was once populated by the Barbareño tribe of the Chumash people. The city was originally known as Syukhtun, and this tribe of Chumash was one of the largest and most influential in the entire state. A small, but significant and fascinating piece of Chumash history can be found at a site known as Painted Cave in Santa Barbara.

About 5.5 miles from Highway 101 in Santa Barbara, along CA-154, is a single sign (that most people ignore or never notice!) that points the way to the aptly named Painted Cave Road.

Two miles from the highway, there is some signage marking the site and a small space where one or two cars can park on the left, just below the cave.

The Chumash Rock Paintings here are considered to be some of the most colorful and elaborate in the world. It is believed that Chumash priests, or Shamans, created these drawings for religious purposes.