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Introduction: What are the Best Hikes in Santa Barbara, California?
Finding the perfect hiking trail is not always easy. Santa Barbara, California is a great place to go hiking! For some very good hikes, check these best hikes in Santa Barbara.
There are many different hikes to choose from. From easy trails that take about an hour, to more difficult ones that take up to six hours, There’s a fun hike for every type of hiker!
Hike To The Top Views Near Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a beautiful coastal community with Santa Barbara County’s third largest city. Santa Barbara is a place to see some of the most beautiful mountain top views of California’s coastline.
There are many ways to get to these views, and they all offer different experiences. The best way to see these views is by hiking. Choose one of these best hiking trails in Santa Barbara for GREAT views!
For the best hiking boots or backpack, read this.
9 Of The Best Hikes in Santa Barbara
This list of the best hikes in Santa Barbara, California will help you find your perfect trail.
(Credit: Greekmatthew, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
- Cold Spring Trail Loop
- Hot Springs Canyon Trail
- Inspiration Point
- Jesusita Trail
- Rattlesnake Canyon Loop Trail
- Romero Canyon
- Saddle Rock Trail
- Seven Falls Trail
- Tangerine Falls Trail
Cold Spring Trail Loop
Description
The hike to Cold Spring Trail begins from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. There are a number of things to do in the garden, but be sure to allow enough time for your hike.
The Cold Spring Trail Loop is approximately 2.7 miles. Although the trail is not difficult, it could take about 4 hours to complete the hike.
The trail is shaded and travels through some steep inclines. Take care of your knees on this hike! Bring your hiking poles, and read this if you need a pair of the best hiking poles.
The Cold Spring Trail loops around Santa Barbara. The trail provides views of the Pacific Ocean and Conejo Valley at various points along the way. Also, enjoy the river that runs along the trail.
The trail ends back where it started at one of our favorite gardens in all of California – The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden!
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 2.7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 912 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Directions From Santa Barbara
Hot Springs Canyon Trail
Do you have time for a relaxing hike? Take the time to hike Hot Springs Canyon Trail.
The trail is located in Montecito, north of Santa Barbara. The trail can be completed in a couple of hours.
The hike leads you through a gentle sloping canyon with streams of clean, clear water that feed into the Pacific Ocean. The Hot Springs Canyon Trail also has many diverse plants and animals that call this area their home.
Along the way, you can stop at hot springs! Everyone who takes this hike makes an unforgettable and relaxing memory.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 3.7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,177 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Directions From Santa Barbara
Inspiration Point
Hiking to Inspiration Point near Santa Barbara California is a moderately difficult 3.4 mile roundtrip hike. The hike gains about 935 feet of elevation.
There are steep parts all along the trail. The steepest parts are at the beginning and end of the trail though.
The trail follows the ridge line giving hikers many fantastic views of both Santa Barbara and Ventura. The trail includes some great panoramic views of the Southern California coastlines in between the two towns.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 935 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Directions From Santa Barbara
Jesusita Trail
This scenic hike is great for both first time and expert hikers.
The hike starts at a parking lot with a long, sloping dirt road. The road winds up the mountain from the town of Los Olivos.
The trail takes you through oak trees, chaparral, and beautiful landscapes as you walk through foothills. The Jesusita trail finally takes you up to areas that are high on top of the mountain.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 6.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,574 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Directions From Santa Barbara
Rattlesnake Canyon Loop Trail
The hike takes several hours to complete. This trail has sections of moderate to steep elevation changes.
The trail has some views of the Rattlesnake Canyon and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Look for these views as you hike. The views are not obvious or easy to see.
After hiking through the canyon, turn right for another mile of hiking along the ridge line for great views of Santa Barbara.
The Rattlesnake Canyon Trail is one of many hiking trails in the Santa Catalina Mountains which offer sweeping views of the valley below.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 6.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,158 feet
- Dogs: No
Directions From Santa Barbara
Romero Canyon
This long and narrow canyon is a little more than 10 miles long. The Romero Canyon Trail hike offers a range of hiking experiences. Start your hike at any point.
The trail combines 2 loops. The loop takes you down into the canyon and back up to the top. During part of the trail, you hike along the mountainside. The trail also treats you to a waterfall.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 10.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,634 feet
- Dogs: No
Directions From Santa Barbara
Saddle Rock Trail
The Saddle Rock Trail is great for people who want to go for a hike that has some beautiful views.
This trail will take you about four hours to complete due to the trail’s difficulty. You hike up, mostly on dirt trails with a few paved areas.
There are some steep inclines and descents. These ups and downs will give you a good workout. The spectacular views make this hike worth your time.
(Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0,
via Wikimedia Commons)
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,030 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Directions From Santa Barbara
Seven Falls Trail
Located a few miles from Santa Barbara, Seven Falls Trail is a hiking trail with a charming waterfall, a gorgeous view of the ocean, and tall redwoods. People report that this is one of their favorite hikes in California!
The hike starts off on the side of the highway before heading into the hills where it leads to an overlook of the ocean. The trail has beautiful redwood trees.
If you continue on down the trail it leads to a creek which you can cross over and hike to more waterfalls.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 3.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 803 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Directions From Santa Barbara
Tangerine Falls Trail
Tangerine Falls Trail Near Santa Barbara California is a hiking trail that is about 2.2 miles roundtrip. Even though a short hike, the trail has a hard rating.
The majority of the hike is through a forest and you will see many different plants and animals. This trail has a waterfall at the end that makes a perfect setting for taking pictures.
Things To Know
- Difficulty: Hard
- Distance: 2.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 895 feet
- Dogs: On leash
Directions
Summary – 9 Best Hikes in Santa Barbara, California
The article covers some of the best hikes in Santa Barbara California that you can do as a day trip or as a weekend escape. Since each of these trails is located in the Los Padres National Forest, consider the America The Beautiful National Park Pass.
Hike these best hikes in Santa Barbara, and enjoy some of the most beautiful hikes in California!
For the best hiking boots or backpack, read these posts: