Some of the best spots are the trees around the bathroom building, as well as the open meadow and surrounding trees near the parking area farthest from the entrance.

Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Acorn Woodpeckers, warblers, chaparral species.

Toro Canyon Park, 74 acres, is tucked in the hills above Montecito. A trail departing from the picnic area is a short hike to an overlook gazebo.

This is a County of Santa Barbara public park, open from 8 a.m. until sunset (signs in the park tell you when it will be closing). It can be busy on weekend afternoons but otherwise is lightly used. The habitat is a mix of oak woodland and chaparral. 

Between Summerland and Carpinteria, this park is accessible from Foothill Road (CA-192), or via US-101, using the Padaro Lane exit. From the US-101 exit, go right on Via Real then left up Toro Canyon Road for about 3 miles. A park sign will direct you to turn right, the park entrance being 1 mile down the road.

A hiking trail loops through the chaparral above the canyon picnic areas.

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Toro Canyon Park.