Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission on the purchase at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support friend!
Santa Barbara is a wellness paradise equipped with both pristine coastal shores and vast green mountainsides. For adventure seekers, outdoor dwellers, and hiking enthusiasts alike — incredible hikes in Santa Barbara can be found throughout the entire city. There’s even some incredible hikes right next to the beaches!
After spending six years living in Santa Barbara, I can confirm there is no shortage of beauty in this Southern California city. The beautiful year round weather and Mediterranean climate makes it ideal hiking weather almost everyday. Except on those blustery and cozy rainy days! I guess you need a hiking break at some point.
If you’re planning a trip to Santa Barbara, California, here’s all you need to know about the best hikes in Santa Barbara. From hiking duration to difficulty levels and tips — I got you covered.
For first timers in California here’s some other resources to get you started on your first trip to California and welcome to the sunshine state!
Psssst. While Santa Barbara has a temperate climate, it does get cold at night. Stay prepared by packing a warm jacket and check the weather forecast, as the city cools off rather quick from the cold ocean breeze.
Feel free to jump ahead
Inspiration Point
Distance out and back: 3.5 miles
Elevation gain: 951 ft
Difficulty: moderate
How to get there: This hiking trail is located above the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens and is found on Tunnel Road. Take Tunnel Road as far up as the road leads and the trailhead begins there. There is no official trailhead parking lot. All hikers park along the road.
Inspiration Point is a beautiful hiking trail in Santa Barbara that swiftly winds up the mountainside. Here you’ll discover lovely wildflowers, lush greenery and small cliffs with gorgeous lookout points. This hike is rated moderate and is a popular trail among locals. It’s accessible all year, and gets most of its visitors during weekend mornings and early afternoons.
If you love sunrise hikes, this is an excellent sunrise hike to greet the beautiful morning in Santa Barbara. It over looks the entire city, with incredible viewpoints of the ocean. You can even see the grand Santa Barbara Mission and florescent white bell tower from the Santa Barbara Courthouse.
Also dogs are welcome on this trail.
Gaviota Wind Caves Trail
Distance out and back: 2 miles
Elevation gain: 429 ft
Difficulty level: moderate
How to get there: The Gaviota Wind Caves Trail is about 30 minutes away from downtown Santa Barbara. Take Highway 101 North for about 33 miles, then exit at Gaviota Beach Road. Continue straight until you reach a slight fork in the road, taking the left route leading up the hill on Hollister Ranch Road. At the top of the hill is the trailhead parking lot.
Nestled between the high rise train tracks, Gaviota Creek and the Pacific Ocean, lies the Gaviota State Park in Goleta, California. Only 33 miles outside of Santa Barbara, the Gaviota Wind Caves Trail sits right at the cusp of this beautiful state park. The trail begins relatively flat, then quickly gains elevation in a steep and strenuous climb up the mountainside. With various switchbacks along the trial you’ll find vibrant wildflowers, garden snakes and birds.
The views from the top are insanely unreal featuring coastal vistas, rolling green hills and sandstone wind caves meant for exploring. Take a rest inside the wind caves as the trails aren’t shady, pack a picnic for lunch or enjoy lunch on the Gaviota State Beach after your hike. For adventure seekers, scramble and scale up the rocks for more scenic views and to explore smaller wind caves.
The distance for the trail is calculated based on the two giant wind caves, but feel free to hike further along. Also, dogs and horses are welcome on this trail.
Jesusita Trail
Distance out and back: 6.8 miles
Elevation: 1,574 ft
Difficulty level: moderate
How to get there: Exit the 101 at Las Positas Road, then continue straight until the road becomes San Roque Road. The trailhead is located right off the road, next to the Cater Water Treatment Plant. Besides the Treatment Plant, you’ll find a dirt parking lot for trailhead parking.
Found in the Los Padres National Forest, the Jesusita Trail is a popular hiking trail among locals. It’s open year around and is well marked for avid hikers, runners, mountain bikers and families. Along the trail you’ll find some shade, beautiful coastal views and some river creeks.
In fact, if you’re craving a longer hike, start your hike at Steven’s Park as it connects to the Jesusita Trail. I’ve also heard of people connecting this hike to Inspiration Point as well.
I personally haven’t done it, but if you’re craving an insanely long hike, this is your hike! (… at some point Evan and I will get to extending this hike!) From the neighborhood park to forestry back-country to waterfalls and scenic views, if extending this hike speaks to you — do it! You’ll be amazing by all the wilderness and beauty Santa Barbara has to offer.
Stay on the trail as there are several bushels of poison oak to be seen and pack lots of water if you’re hiking during the summer months.
Seven Falls
Distance out and back: 3.2 miles
Elevation: 803 ft
Difficulty level: moderate
How to get there: This trailhead shares the same trailhead as Inspiration Point and Cathedral Peak on Tunnel Road.
It follows the same trail as Cathedral Peak but branches off about half way toward a picturesque spot toward Mission Creek. Along the path you’ll find beautiful wildflowers, vast greenery, and scenic views showcasing the Los Padres National Forest as you climb the steep mountain side.
The Seven Falls trail is 3.2 miles out and back, leading to a gorgeous waterfall and pools that are great for taking a dip in. Sometimes the waterfall is dry, so if you’re planning to see it, I suggest visiting during late spring after Santa Barbara’s had some decent rain.
Also be sure to download the map off All trails as the trail can be difficult to find once you branch off of the Cathedral Peak trail.
Lizards Mouth
Distance out and back: 0.3 miles
Elevation: 2,342 ft
Difficulty level: moderate
How to get there: The trailhead is located just outside of Santa Barbara in Goleta, California. Exit the 101 on State Street, to take the 154 West (San Marcos Pass Road) heading toward Cachuma Lake. Then, exit on W Camino Cielo driving about 3.7 miles until you reach the trail head. Park anywhere along the side of the road.
One of the shortest hikes in Santa Barbara is Lizard’s Mouth. While it’s labeled as moderate from scaling rocks and boulders, the hike itself is relatively short and flat. It’s 0.3 miles round trip and takes about 20-30 minutes (depending on your hiking speed) to reach the expansive views of the coastal front and city.
It’s a fun sunset hike to do in Santa Barbara! Just be sure to pack layers cause it gets cold.
Cathedral Peak
Distance out and back: 4.7 miles
Elevation: 2,342 ft
Difficulty level: hard
How to get there: This trailhead shares the same trailhead as Inspiration Point on Tunnel Road. Instead, the hike climbs to Arlington Peak, then to Cathedral Peak.
Cathedral Peak is one of my favorite hikes in Santa Barbara! It can be highly trafficked at times when its peak hiking season, but typically doesn’t have too many hikers. I think its one of the hardest hikes in Santa Barbara, as it requires scaling rocky ridges for a decent portion of the trail.
Stay hydrated and pack hefty hiking snacks for ascending the mountain, as it’s a climb! You won’t find any shade along the 4.7 mile trail out and back, so if you’re hiking during the summer be sure to pack sunglasses, sunhats, sunscreen and any other protective sun gear you may need.
Along the trail you’ll find beautiful wildflowers, rocks, giant boulders, and gorgeous views from the top of the mountainside. Dog are allowed on the trail too.
Steven’s Park
Distance out and back: 1.6 miles
Elevation: 236 ft
Difficulty level: easy
How to get there: The easiest route to Steven’s Park is to take State Street, then turn onto San Roque Road (toward the neighborhoods), turn left onto Calle Fresno, and then right on Canon Drive. Steven’s Park parking lot will be on your right.
A couple blocks past the Old Mission Santa Barbara lies the quaint Steven’s Park. It’s easily accessible to all visitors, as it’s a park with a playground, restrooms, bridge crossings, picnic tables, and hiking trails. The Steven’s Park hiking trail begins right near the public bathrooms.
It’s a well maintained trail with a couple creek crossings throughout the trail. For those seeking a more quiet hike with an abundance of shade, this trail will do wonders with giant green trees and shrubbery for a tranquil hiking experience.
In fact, the trail extends about 1.6 miles out and back, but one can easily extend the hike as this trail links up to the Jesusita Trail. It’s a relatively flat trail with a couple of small climbs, and it’s a popular hiking trail for families, mountain biking, and runners. Dogs are welcome at this trail.
Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens
Distance out and back: Depends on the trail
Difficulty level: easy
How to get there: The Botanic Gardens are located at 1212 Mission Canyon Road Santa Barbara. It’s about a mile north of the Old Mission, following Mission Canyon Road until you reach Foothill Road, turn right then turn left on Mission Canyon Road again. The gardens will be on the left.
Admission: $-$$ (check here for prices)
While it may not be first on the list of hikes in Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens features an incredible assortment of native plants and trees found throughout Santa Barbara and California which is why its included on this list. The gorgeous terrain offers a chance for beautiful photos, all while digitally detoxing in nature.
Inside the gardens, you’ll find the trails are easily accessible and well-maintained, offering gorgeous views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. In particular, the gardens sit on 78 acres of land with 3 trails to discover — Campbell Trail, Woodland Trail, Porter Trail and a meadow to explore.
Additionally, all the trails are moderately flat, and there are tours available to join. There is a small admission fee to enter, but parking is free. The gardens are open everyday from 10-5pm for visitors, with additional magic hour from 9-10 am for members only.
Where to stay in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara has an abundance of cute boutique hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts for every travelers budget. Whether you’re craving a fancy nights stay after a day of hiking and exploring the beach, here’s a couple of options for every budget starting from high to low.
Ratings are according to Trip Advisor
Other popular hikes in Santa Barbara
- Tangerine Falls ( 2.2 miles out and back)
- This hiking trail features a beautiful waterfall, a creek and is rated as difficult. At the top of the trail, you’ll find a picturesque view of the city and ocean.
- San Ysidrio Trail (8.3 miles out and back)
- Rated as difficult, this trail, along with the Jesusita Trail, is one of the longest hikes in Santa Barbara. It follows the San Ysidrio Creek as the trail winds its way up the mountainside for a scenic view of the waterfall and city.
- Romero Canyon Trail (6 miles out and back)
- This hiking trail is a scenic loop that’s rated moderate. During the hike you’ll explore several creek beds with crossing, climb jagged rocks and scenic views.
- Rattlesnake Canyon (4.4 miles out and back)
- Rattlesnake Canyon is one of the most beautiful canyon hikes in Santa Barbara and it’s another one of my favorites! It features creeks, waterfalls, with various inclines leading to gorgeous lookout points of the harbor and ocean. This hike is easy to follow and also can be extended by connecting the Inspiration Point hiking trail.
- Hiking at Channel Islands
- Take a day trip to Channel Islands where you can explore various trails on all five islands. There’s also kayaking and camping permitted here too — click here for more info.
Have you visited Santa Barbara before? What’s your favorite hike you’ve done, or one you’ve been wanting to try? Leave a comment below.
Like it? Sharing is caring
17 Simple Vegan Lunch Ideas To Make In Airbnbs
Beautiful nature trails. Thanks for a comprehensive guide.
Thank you, I hope you enjoyed it!