La Cumbre Peak, a 3,997-foot summit in the Santa Ynez Mountains north of Santa Barbara, is the highest peak near the city and is known for its Matilija Sandstone, pine groves, and broad views. Beyond its scenic setting, the summit has served practical purposes for decades. A U.S. Forest Service fire lookout station with a seasonal glass house was completed there in 1923, and a distinctive replacement lookout followed in 1946. Its experimental design proved too costly to be repeated, making it rare enough for later listing on the National Historic Lookout Register in 2010. Access improved with East Camino Cielo, built in 1930–1931, which still draws runners and cyclists.