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Hiking Santa Barbara

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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

Santa Barbara's mild climate affords comfortable hiking conditions along the coastline pretty much throughout the year. Fog can be an issue May through July (have you heard the saying, "May grey" or "June gloom?"), limiting views along the coast for the first half of the day and often burning off for the afternoon, although sometimes the fog lingers all day. Getting up higher on the mountain ridges will often get you above the fog if you are looking for sun.

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

Santa Barbara is chock-full of mid to high-end lodging options as the town itself caters to tourism. Slightly more affordable lodging options are more readily available in both the towns of Carpenteria and Ventura to the south.

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.

Recommended Routes in Hiking Santa Barbara - 12

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Favorite Cistern overlook where the fire road meets Camino Cielo. Trail continues to the right where the paved road turns to dirt again and is a steep hike-a-bike up.
Difficult Difficult

Romero Loop

10.2 mi 16.5 km 2,366' Up 721.14 m Up 2,364' Down 720.68 m Down

Summerland, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Camuesa connector upper trailhead on a sunny winter morning.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Camuesa Connector Loop

10.6 mi 17.0 km 1,559' Up 475.12 m Up 1,558' Down 474.74 m Down

Mission…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite creek crossing
Difficult Difficult

Jesusita Out and Back

6.8 mi 10.9 km 1,323' Up 403.18 m Up 1,323' Down 403.19 m Down

Mission…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Looking towards Santa Cruz Island from the top.
Difficult Difficult

Tequepis Trail

7.8 mi 12.5 km 2,325' Up 708.51 m Up 2,324' Down 708.25 m Down

Santa Ynez, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Top of the downhill track viewpoint
Intermediate Intermediate

The Elings Loop

5.2 mi 8.4 km 726' Up 221.22 m Up 715' Down 218 m Down

Santa B…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Turn towards Lower McMenemy at the Girard/McMeney intersection.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Girard/McMenemy DH

1.4 mi 2.2 km 45' Up 13.85 m Up 751' Down 228.82 m Down

Montecito, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Top of Girard
Difficult Difficult

SB Front Country Loop

16.9 mi 27.2 km 2,797' Up 852.47 m Up 2,802' Down 853.93 m Down

Mission…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite The beginning of the Matias Potrero Trail from the Arroyo Burro Road.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Arroyo Burro Loop

10.8 mi 17.4 km 2,190' Up 667.47 m Up 2,194' Down 668.65 m Down

Mission…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite The beginning of the Matias Potrero Trail from the Arroyo Burro Road.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Matias Potrero Loop

10.0 mi 16.1 km 1,397' Up 425.7 m Up 1,399' Down 426.35 m Down

Mission…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Inspiration Point
Difficult Difficult

Lower Tunnel Road and Jesusita

11.1 mi 17.9 km 2,055' Up 626.39 m Up 2,064' Down 629.02 m Down

Mission…, CA
Explore in 3D
Favorite Riding out along the falling ridge lines.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

North Tunnel and Devils Canyon Loop

11.0 mi 17.7 km 2,305' Up 702.64 m Up 2,323' Down 708.16 m Down

Mission…, CA
Explore in 3D

Hiking Santa Barbara Biking

  • 216 Miles 348 Kilometers of Trail
  • 12 Recommended Routes
  • 1 Easy Trail Easy Trails
  • 46 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 24 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
MTB Project is built by riders like you. Share what you know about this area!

Areas Within Hiking Santa Barbara

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Trails in Hiking Santa Barbara - 59

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Trails

1.3 mi 2.1 km #1Lower Romero
Difficult Difficult
Summerland, CA
Difficult Difficult
Summerland, CA 16 
3.9 mi 6.3 km #2Camuesa Connector Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Mission Canyon, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Mission Canyon, CA
2.0 mi 3.2 km #3San Antonio Creek Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Mission Canyon, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Mission Canyon, CA 22 
0.7 mi 1.1 km #4Elings Park - Downhill Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Santa Barbara, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Santa Barbara, CA 18 
6.6 mi 10.7 km #5Romero Fire Road
Intermediate Intermediate
Summerland, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Summerland, CA 14 
1.5 mi 2.4 km #6West Fork Cold Spring
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Mission Canyon, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Mission Canyon, CA
4.5 mi 7.3 km #7Cold Spring Trail - South
Difficult Difficult
Montecito, CA
Difficult Difficult
Montecito, CA 10 
2.5 mi 4.0 km #8Sweetwater Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Santa Ynez, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Santa Ynez, CA 10 
2.4 mi 3.9 km #9Arroyo Burro Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Mission Canyon, CA
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Mission Canyon, CA
4.5 mi 7.3 km #10Santa Cruz Trail
Difficult Difficult
Mission Canyon, CA
Difficult Difficult
Mission Canyon, CA

Photos of Hiking Santa Barbara - 110

MTB Project is built by riders like you. Add Your Photos

Killer views from the climb up Romero Road
Apr 15, 2013 near Summerland, CA
Riding across the ridge towards the top of the Romero singletrack
Apr 15, 2013 near Summerland, CA
Cistern overlook where the fire road meets Camino Cielo. Trail continues to the right where the paved road turns to dirt again and is a steep hike-a-bike up.
Oct 22, 2015 near Summerland, CA
Camuesa Trail, Santa Barbara CA
Feb 2, 2021 near Mission…, CA
Lower Romero DH section.
Aug 18, 2021 near Summerland, CA
Riding out along the falling ridge lines.
Dec 5, 2023 near Mission…, CA
Meadow cruising by sycamores.
Dec 5, 2023 near Montecito, CA
Top section of trail
Jan 31, 2024 near Montecito, CA

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