California rest areas along Highway 101 closed due to water shortage

Drivers using California's Highway 101 will need to plan ahead as the Gaviota Roadside Rest Areas in Santa Barbara County have closed due to a water shortage. The closures, which began on July 1, are expected to last until October 1, according to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). This shutdown affects both directions of the highway near the Gaviota Tunnel, leaving approximately 35 miles without state-operated restroom facilities. Caltrans stated that the closure is due to a lack of available water necessary for the operation of the rest areas. Travelers are encouraged to identify alternative locations for fuel, food, and restroom breaks. The Gaviota rest areas are part of a busy coastal corridor connecting Southern and Central California. Additionally, other rest areas in California, such as the Tejon Pass rest areas on Interstate 5 in Kern County, are also closed for upgrades, with work expected to continue until August 2027. Local reports indicate that the Gaviota rest areas have a history of frequent closures, with some drivers noting that they rarely see them open outside of holiday periods.