14 Top-Rated Hiking Trails in Santa Barbara, CA

Seductively squeezed between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the sea, Santa Barbara offers some of the most scenic day hikes in California. Standing atop these rugged peaks, you can gaze out over striking views of the city, the ocean, and the Channel Islands shimmering on the horizon. Stroll through shady, oak-studded canyons, where swimming holes and waterfalls make perfect picnic venues, or wander through wildflower-flecked meadows.

Wildlife sightings are an added bonus on Santa Barbara hikes. Along the coast, clifftop trails offer spectacular views of the Pacific, where you can see harbor seals basking in secluded coves and, if you're lucky, dolphins and even whales not far from shore. Hiking trails also lace the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Wherever you hike, make sure you stick to the marked trails, and keep an eye out for poison oak.

From easy family-friendly hikes through sycamore-studded canyons to challenging summit climbs, Santa Barbara is a hiker's haven. Explore the area's beautiful scenery with our list of the top hiking trails in Santa Barbara.

Inspiration Point from Tunnel Road (via Jesusita Trail)

One of Santa Barbara's most popular hikes, Inspiration Point is true to its name, culminating at a small summit with gorgeous 180-degree views of the city, ocean, islands, and Santa Ynez Mountains. This 3.75-mile, out-and-back, moderate trail is a great hike for visitors to Santa Barbara, as it provides a lovely overview of the entire area.

The shortest version of the trail begins at Tunnel Road and continues along Tunnel Trail to Jesusita Trail, ascending about 800 feet in elevation to the summit. Besides the breathtaking views from the summit, highlights of this hike include the wide-open canyon views, creek crossings, and distinctive sandstone rock crags rising from the rugged landscape. Once you reach the summit, linger for a while and enjoy the beautiful Santa Barbara views before tackling the return descent.

The best time of day to attempt this hike is later in the afternoon, when the light turns to a rich honey-hue, and the trail offers more shade. This is a dog-friendly trail and it's popular with local trail runners and mountain bikers.

Note that parking is limited at the trailhead, and tickets are frequently issued for parking violations. You can access the trailhead at Tunnel Road, off Mission Canyon Road.

San Ysidro Trail

Accessed from the upscale enclave of Montecito, this is another great hike to appreciate the raw power of nature. The debris flow of January 2018 scoured this canyon, sending huge boulders tumbling down the slopes, but it's still a beautiful hike. After good rains, the rush of water in the creek provides a soothing soundtrack, with several small cascades along the way. In the spring, purple and yellow wildflowers fleck the hillsides.

The trail begins in a residential neighborhood along paved roads before hitting the dirt trail. For most of the way, it follows the San Ysidro Creek through a cool canyon. After about two miles, you reach an 80-foot waterfall, which gushes after good rains and barely trickles in the dry season.

When the pool here is full of water, you can enjoy a refreshing dip and turn around at the waterfall for an easy 4.4-mile round-trip hike or continue, zigzagging steeply upwards through dry chaparral and oak forests to the 3,450-foot summit at East Camino Cielo. From here, the views of the mountains, the sea, and, on clear days, the Channel Islands are gorgeous.

This is a great hike for hot, sunny days, as the trail remains shady to the waterfall. If you make it all the way, the trail is a nine-mile round-trip hike, giving the calves and lungs a good workout as it gains 2,674 feet in elevation.

You can access the trail from the end of East Mountain Drive to the left of Park Lane in Montecito. Look out for poison oak and bring plenty of water for the steep climb.

The Douglas Family Preserve

Known by long-time locals as the Wilcox property, the 70-acre dog-friendly Douglas Family Preserve is one of the most rewarding of Santa Barbara's easy hikes. Named for its movie star donor, Michael Douglas, and his father, Kirk, this much-loved trail is a favorite with dog owners because it's one of the few areas in Santa Barbara where your furry friends are allowed to roam off leash in designated areas.

Skirting magnificent sea cliffs, the three-mile trail winds through eucalyptus trees, oaks, and cypress trees, with stunning views of the ocean and Arroyo Burro Beach below. This beautiful trail is also family friendly, although children should steer clear of the cliff.

Lucky hikers might spot dolphins or whales offshore, and monarch butterflies flit through the eucalyptus trees here during winter. Red-tail hawks are also common, perched atop the trees. One corner of the park is a popular launching spot for hang gliders.

You can reach the preserve from the east at Medcliff Road and park near the intersection with Selrose Lane, or access it via a trail through the estuary from the Arroyo Burro (Hendry's) Beach parking lot.

If you want to incorporate a beach walk into this hike, you can make this a loop hike. From the preserve, simply stroll through the residential area along Medcliff Road, turn right onto Mesa Lane, and descend the stairs at Mesa Lane Beach. From here, you can stroll along the water's edge back to Arroyo Burro Beach, but you'll have to time it for low tide. With all these options, no wonder this is one of the favorite coastal hikes in Santa Barbara.

Cold Spring East Fork

One of Santa Barbara's best-loved canyon trails, Cold Spring East Fork offers picturesque pools, several cascades, and a humbling look at Mother Nature's wrath. This canyon was pummeled by the 2018 debris flow, and you can still see the huge boulders scattered throughout the canyon and the remains of the road that washed away.

Today, Cold Spring trail in Santa Barbara is in decent condition. It follows along the creek with a couple of fun boulder-hopping crossings along the way. You can adjust the length of this trail to suit your hiking ability and energy level, with options ranging from an easy jaunt to the first pools, where kids can hunt for frogs and salamanders, to a strenuous 4.5-mile, one-way hike to East Camino Cielo.

The hike begins from Mountain Drive in Montecito and continues past pools and small waterfalls (after good rains). From here, the trail ascends steeply up the canyon through chaparral to Montecito Overlook, 1.5 miles from the trailhead, with beautiful views over the city. In the spring, wildflowers bloom along the hillsides, where the blackened trunks of burnt oaks rise from the lush new growth after fires roared through this canyon.

On the upper sections of the trail, you zigzag up to Montecito Peak (3.5 miles from the trailhead) and East Camino Cielo (4.5 miles from the trailhead) for spectacular views to the sea, gaining 2,675 feet in elevation to the crest.

After admiring the views, you can descend down the back side of the Santa Ynez Mountains or return back to the trailhead. This is a great hike for a hot day since the trail is shaded until the upper reaches.

The Coastal Vista Trail: Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve

Harbor seals are the highlight of this spectacular clifftop walk in Carpinteria, about 12 miles from downtown Santa Barbara. The entire stretch of this flat and easy one-mile trail threads along the edge of towering sea cliffs in one of the largest open spaces left along Santa Barbara County's south coast.

Along the way, you can peer down upon harbor seals basking along the shore at the Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary, and watch these gentle creatures frolicking in the surf and crawling up the beach like giant caterpillars. From December through May, the beach is closed for the seals to birth without disturbances.

From the harbor seal rookery, the trail continues to the coastal salt marsh, through Tar Pits State Park, past eucalyptus trees and scenic ocean lookouts with views to some of the Channel Islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa. Plein air artists often prop up their easels along this stretch to capture the gorgeous views. Birding is also popular–the salt marsh is home to more than 200 species. Bring binoculars to spot the wildlife.

To access the trail, exit from US 101 south at Ballard Avenue in Carpinteria. Drive towards the ocean and head to the bluffs parking lot. Note that dogs are not allowed near the seal rookery.

Rattlesnake Canyon

Yes, rattlesnakes do sometimes sun themselves on this trail, however chances are slim that you'll actually see one. About 15 minutes from town, this fairly easy five-mile out-and-back hike is usually a little less crowded than Inspiration Point in the adjacent canyon, and it's one of the only trails in the front country where bikes are banned.

A large sign marks the trailhead, which lies near Skofield Park. The trail follows a creek through chaparral, oaks, and sycamores, and continues up to a meadow. Look for wildflowers after the rains. From here, you can return the way you came for a 3.5-mile hike, or take a fork in the road and zigzag up switchbacks about a half mile to Gibraltar Road, where you can breathe in beautiful views across the mountains to the sea. This is a popular spot with local rock climbers and hang gliders. The elevation gain is just over 1,600 feet.

If you want more of a workout, you can take the Connector trail to Tunnel Trail and East Camino Cielo for more beautiful views. Access the trailhead via Las Canoas Road.

Cathedral Peak

Cathedral Peak is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding hikes in Santa Barbara. This strenuous four-mile round-trip hike gains 2,350 feet in elevation and is not suitable for children or anyone with agility issues. Access to the trailhead is from Tunnel Road, about three quarters of a mile beyond the locked gate. Follow the Jesusita Trail until it descends into Mission Canyon.

After continuing upstream, an opening in a wall reveals the steep and narrow hiking trail to Cathedral Peak, which requires climbing over boulders and weaving through thick chaparral. Along the way, you can see beautiful views of Seven Falls. The approach to Cathedral Peak, one of the Mission Crags, is steep and requires sure footing, but once at the top, the views are spectacular. From here, you can peer right over Santa Barbara to the sea.

For more of a workout, you can continue to La Cumbre Peak, although the route is not well defined.

Romero Canyon Loop

Climbing mountains that rise close to the sea, this moderate 10-mile loop offers more stunning panoramas of the city and ocean with less people than some of the other view hikes. It's also one of the front country's few loop trails. Romero road once took drivers over the Santa Ynez Mountains until it was devastated by mudslides in 1978 and closed to the public. It's now a popular hiking and biking trail.

The trailhead lies off Bella Vista Drive beyond a gate in Montecito. For about two miles, the trail follows a shady creek bed through the narrow canyon before ascending to the ridge line through chaparral. From here, you can gaze out over gorgeous views of Montecito, the sea, and the Channel Islands. Along the way, you'll encounter several creek crossings and beautiful wildflowers in the spring.

If you walk along the ridge line to the west, you'll reach Romero Saddle, an elevation gain of 2,000 feet from the trailhead, and the road will lead you back down. Bring plenty of water as the second part of the hike is exposed to the sun.

Seven Falls Trail

The moderately-easy, 3.2-mile out-and-back Seven Falls trail offers cool cascades after good rains, and fun boulder hopping when the falls aren't flowing. Park at the popular Tunnel Road trailhead and continue past the Tunnel Trail turnoff on the Jesusita trail until you descend into Mission Canyon.

After a few creek crossings and some boulder scrambling, the falls lie about a quarter of a mile up the trail. These seven stone basins usually fill with water in the spring, cascading down in steps. When the water is deep enough, it's a beautiful spot for a swim. The elevation gain is about 800 feet.

You can access this trail via Tunnel Road, although the parking is limited, and violations are swiftly ticketed. Leashed dogs are permitted on this trail.

Stevens Park

Of all the Santa Barbara hiking spots, this trail is often overlooked due to its location in the heart of a residential area of Santa Barbara. The trailhead starts at Stevens Park, but once you venture beyond the parking lot and the children's playground, you find yourself strolling through a forest of ancient oaks and sycamores, through flower-flecked meadows, and along a cool rushing creek.

This 1.6-mile out-and-back hike is a fantastic family hike, with a couple of creek crossings to keep the kids entertained. If the creek is flowing, it's usually easy enough to boulder hop your way across. Elevation gain is minimal at about 230 feet.

This trail also connects with the Jesusita trail in case you're up for a longer hike. You can take your pooch, but dogs must be kept on a leash.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Trails

Where can you hike to a Japanese teahouse, wander through a wildflower meadow and redwood grove, and soak up some history at the same time? The beautiful Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

More than 5.5 miles of nature trails meander through 78 acres of natural woodland in Santa Barbara's Mission Canyon, with over a 1,000 types of native California plants and trees.

Trails vary from an easy, flat hike through a meadow and the cactus-studded desert garden to the Pritchett Trail, which ascends the steep canyon wall west of the creek, winding through a woodland of oaks.

Every season is different. In spring, vibrant California poppies and purple lupine carpet the meadow. In winter, the creek gushes through the canyon after strong rains. On hot summer days, the Redwood Forest provides a cool, dark sanctuary.

You can even soak up some history along the Easton-Aqueduct Trail. The historic Mission Dam and aqueduct here is a Santa Barbara County Historic Landmark. It was built in 1807 to funnel water to the Santa Barbara Mission, one of the city's top attractions.

Take your time here, linger on the benches, and enjoy the views. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the ocean and islands. You'll have to pay a small fee to visit the gardens, but the diversity of different ecosystems and well-maintained trails are worth the price of admission.

Ennisbrook Preserve

Enter a fairy-tale world at the petite and pretty Ennisbrook Preserve. Tucked in the woods in the heart of upscale Montecito, this easy 1.85-mile "lollipop loop" meanders along San Ysidro Creek, between East Valley Lane and San Leandro Lane. It's a perfect trail to tackle with tots in tow. It's also a great hike on a hot summer's day, thanks to the cool shade of ancient oaks and sycamores, which cast soft, dappled light on the forest floor.

Raked by boulders after the 2018 debris flow, this much-loved local spot has been painstakingly restored by a dedicated group of volunteers. Now it's ready and ripe for adventure.

You're sure to find a little magic as you meander along here. Storybook bridges cross over the babbling San Ysidro Creek, birds chitter in the trees, and the gnarled oaks look like they have a story to tell. It's easy to see why locals call Ennisbrook the "Hundred Acre Wood" after the adventure-filled forest in the Winnie-the-Pooh children's books.

Bring your leashed doggie if you have one. Linger on one of the strategically placed benches, or look for some of the many species of birds. You'll also see locals trotting along here on their horses.

Franklin Trail, Carpinteria

Feel like a walk on the wild side? The 7.9-mile Franklin Trail is the hike for you. Bears, bobcats, and mountain lions still thrive in the rocky, rugged foothills of Carpinteria's backcountry, about 12 miles from downtown Santa Barbara, but don't worry – sightings are rare, and the spectacular views from the top of the 3,700-foot Santa Ynez Ridge are worth the uphill trek.

Franklin Trail comprises three phases. If you're not up for a long trek, you can tackle the first phase, which climbs 2.25 miles up to 822 feet. It's gentle enough for older children but high enough to challenge hardcore trail runners. And you can still soak up gorgeous views along the way. Late fall, winter, and spring are the best times to hike Phase 1, as the south-facing slopes can be hot and dusty in the midday summer sun.

Phases 2 and 3 are more challenging and best for a day-long hike or an overnight backpacking trip.

Once you're at the top, you can soak up sweeping views of the chaparral-cloaked mountain peaks to the north, which dip to the Santa Ynez River and Jameson Lake. Look to the south, and you'll see California bungalows and avocado groves stretching to the coast. On a clear day, you can even see the Channel Islands.

Lizard's Mouth

Looking for a gentle hike with a perfect picnic spot and breathtaking views? The Lizard's Mouth hike in Santa Barbara is a top choice. This gentle quarter-mile out-and-back hike is one of the easy hikes in Santa Barbara that still gets you up high and offers plenty of Instagram-worthy photo ops.

You gain most of the elevation on the drive to the trailhead off West Camino Cielo Road. The road winds up to the ridge of the Santa Ynez Mountains, with beautiful views over Santa Barbara. Once you hit the trail, the elevation gain is only about 50 feet.

This is an easy family hike. You might have to scramble over boulders, but wildflowers brighten your way in the spring, and kids love the adventure.

When you arrive at the famous Lizard's Mouth, you'll know how it earned its name. Spread out your picnic blanket, snap some photos, and soak up the sweeping views over the mountains. Sunset is one of the most popular times to do this hike, when the rocks blush pink in the rosy light.

Santa Barbara, CA - Climate Chart

More Related Hiking Articles on PlanetWare.com

More Places to Hike in California: The state's diverse wilderness areas provide outstanding opportunities for hiking. Find out about the best places to hit the trails with our articles on the top hikes in Yosemite National Park and Redwood National and State Parks, home to the tallest trees on the planet. The famous Pacific Crest Trail also slices through California. Experience a taste of this legendary trek with our article on the Best Day Hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail.