Hiking Santa Barbara
Overview
A gem among California beach towns, Santa Barbara lies at a geographical transition zone between Central and Southern Coastal California, The region has a mild and inviting Mediterranean climate ideal for year-round hiking and outdoor exploration. Between the south-facing coastline and Channel Islands lying offshore offshore and a backdrop of the rugged Santa Ynez Mountains rising above town the scenery is spectacular. For those looking for more remote and off the beaten path experiences, the Los Padres National Forest to the north covers a huge swath of the coastal mountains with longer loops, ridgelin hikes, backcountry camping and more. Myriad parks and open spaces sprinkled throughout the towns and surrounding county land means you don't have to travel or drive far to access trails.
If you are looking for abundant flowing water or waterfalls, winter and early spring is the best time to get out as summer through fall are often hot and dry in the coastal mountains around Santa Barbara, and seasonal creeks frequently dry up with flows reduced greatly. If venturing out into the Los Padres backcountry, make sure to carry more water than you think you'll need. Temperatures here are often 90-degree plus and mapped water sources are often dry.
Visiting Tips
Caution: when off the coast, temperatures can be oppressively hot from late spring through summer and into early fall once you get further inland over the first coastal ridge and up into the Los Padres National Forest. If hiking inland or on longer routes in the Los Padres, make sure to hike early and bring plenty of extra water as waters sources are often seasonal and dry outside of winter/early spring.
Once the rain hits, however, hiking in late winter and early spring in the mountain canyons and Los Padres can be magical when creeks and waterfalls are flowing, wildflowers blooming and California's "green season" is in full swing.
Camping & Lodging
If you're looking to camp, consider one of the state beach campgrounds along the Gaviota Coast west of Santa Barbara (at El Capitan State Beach, Refugio Sate Beach, or Gaviota State Beach) or at Carpenteria State Beach to the south. Some fun glamping options can be found at El Capitan Canyon across Highway 101 from El Capitan State Beach.
Gems in Hiking Santa Barbara - 1
Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Gems
Recommended Routes in Hiking Santa Barbara - 13
Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Recommended Routes
ACLCT Loop
8.8 mi 14.1 km • 3,231' Up 984.75 m Up • 3,230' Down 984.61 m Down
Canyon Loop
4.4 mi 7.0 km • 1,257' Up 383.04 m Up • 1,271' Down 387.33 m Down
Inspiration Point and Seven Falls
3.8 mi 6.2 km • 916' Up 279.27 m Up • 915' Down 278.77 m Down
Aliso Canyon Loop
3.5 mi 5.7 km • 814' Up 248.22 m Up • 815' Down 248.49 m Down
Parma Park Loop
2.8 mi 4.5 km • 694' Up 211.46 m Up • 694' Down 211.66 m Down
Montecito Connections Loop
5.4 mi 8.7 km • 1,447' Up 441.08 m Up • 1,449' Down 441.72 m Down
Buena Vista Loop
3.2 mi 5.2 km • 889' Up 270.9 m Up • 901' Down 274.53 m Down
Montecito Peak
7.0 mi 11.3 km • 2,352' Up 716.99 m Up • 2,352' Down 716.91 m Down
San Ysidro Falls
3.6 mi 5.8 km • 1,031' Up 314.18 m Up • 1,030' Down 314.02 m Down
Douglas Family Preserve Loop
1.6 mi 2.6 km • 160' Up 48.72 m Up • 160' Down 48.67 m Down
Hiking Santa Barbara Running
- 146 Miles 235 Kilometers of Trail
- 13 Recommended Routes
- 1 Gem
- 17 Easy Trails
- 47 Intermediate Trails
- 11 Difficult Trails
Areas Within Hiking Santa Barbara
Weather Averages
High
|
Low
|
Precip
|
Days w/
|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
Trails in Hiking Santa Barbara - 62
Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Trails
2.5
mi
4.0
km
#1Rattlesnake Canyon Trail
Mission Canyon, CA
|
Mission Canyon, CA | 18 | ||
2.0
mi
3.2
km
#2Cathedral Peak Trail
Mission Canyon, CA
|
Mission Canyon, CA | 11 | ||
3.8
mi
6.2
km
#3Camuesa Connector Trail
Mission Canyon, CA
|
Mission Canyon, CA | 1 | ||
4.1
mi
6.7
km
#4Jesusita Trail
Mission Canyon, CA
|
Mission Canyon, CA | 16 | ||
4.0
mi
6.4
km
#5Romero Canyon Trail
Summerland, CA
|
Summerland, CA | 7 | ||
4.5
mi
7.2
km
#6San Ysidro Trail
Montecito, CA
|
Montecito, CA | 5 | ||
2.5
mi
4.1
km
#7Summerland Beach Trail
Summerland, CA
|
Summerland, CA | 2 | ||
4.1
mi
6.6
km
#8Tunnel Trail
Mission Canyon, CA
|
Mission Canyon, CA | 8 | ||
2.5
mi
4.0
km
#9Sweetwater Trail
Santa Ynez, CA
|
Santa Ynez, CA | 3 | ||
1.6
mi
2.6
km
#10Butterfly Beach
Montecito, CA
|
Montecito, CA | 2 |
Photos of Hiking Santa Barbara - 64
Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Photos