Outbound Collective logo

The Best Hiking in Santa Barbara County

Looking for the best hiking in Santa Barbara County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Santa Barbara County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top hiking spots in and near Santa Barbara County

  • Santa Barbara, California

    Parma Park Trail

    3.28 mi / 748 ft gain
    Parma Park Trail is a loop trail where you may see wildflowers located near Santa Barbara, California.
    Read more
  • Santa Barbara, California

    Arroyo Burro Beach Loop

    1.26 mi / 62 ft gain
    Arroyo Burro Beach Loop is a loop trail where you may see wildflowers located near Santa Barbara, California.
    Read more
  • Santa Barbara, California

    Rattlesnake Canyon Trail to Tunnel Trail

    7.7 mi / 2526 ft gain
    Rattlesnake Canyon Trail to Tunnel Trail is an out and back trail that takes you past scenic views located near Santa Barbara, California
    Read more
  • Santa Barbara, California

    Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

    5.0
    1.33 mi / 210 ft gain
    Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Santa Barbara, California.
    Read more
  • Santa Barbara, California

    Hike to Inspiration Point

    4.0
    3.5 mi / 800 ft gain
    Hike up the 3.5 mile trail to an unbeatable vista that will leave you smiling! This hike has a steady uphill climb from the trailhead off of Tunnel Rd into Los Padres National Forest. Keep in mind this trail can get pretty crowded on weekends, so you're best to be at the trail early in the mornin...
    Read more
  • Santa Barbara, California

    Seven Falls Trail

    4.0
    3.39 mi / 1033 ft gain
    Seven Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Santa Barbara, California.
    Read more
  • Santa Barbara, California

    Hike La Cumbre Peak via Tunnel Trail

    10 mi / 3000 ft gain
    Tunnel Trail is a great way to get to the top of La Cumbre Peak. You get to the trail head by taking Tunnel Road until it dead ends at a large water tower, there you can park your car and start on foot. You take spyglass ridge road up which is a paved fire road until it becomes dirt when you get ...
    Read more
  • Santa Barbara, California

    Cathedral Peak Trail

    4.8 mi / 2438 ft gain
    Cathedral Peak Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Santa Barbara, California.
    Read more
  • Montecito, California

    Montecito Peak Trail

    6.45 mi / 2398 ft gain
    Montecito Peak Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Santa Barbara, California.
    Read more
  • Montecito, California

    Cold Spring Trail Loop

    5.0
    2.67 mi / 883 ft gain
    Cold Spring Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Santa Barbara, California.
    Read more
  • Montecito, California

    Hike the Cold Spring Trail to Montecito Peak

    6.8 mi / 1939 ft gain
    Park in the lot east of where Cold spring creek intersects Mountain Road. The correct trailhead is the one with the wooden sign, do not take the trail with a rusty metal sign. Begin your ascent and at the first fork stay right on East Fork. You will cross two mild creeks before the next fork, aga...
    Read more
  • Montecito, California

    Hike to Tangerine Falls

    4.5
    2.5 mi
    This waterfall can be fairly dry during the year, so keep your eyes out for a recent rainstorm to really get things going. When you start the hike on East Folk Trail, at 0.25 miles, cross over the creek and join West Fork Trail. A little over another half mile, West Fork starts to head uphill, bu...
    Read more
  • Montecito, California

    Hike the West Fork of Cold Spring

    If you love the mountains above Santa Barbara but hate the crowds, stick to the canyon trails on the east side. The trails running up Cold Spring canyon offer a variety of experiences without all the noise.To find the West Fork of Cold Spring Trail, take the Olive Mill Rd. exit from the 101 freew...
    Read more
  • Montecito, California

    Hike the Cold Springs Loop Trail

    1.8 mi / 682 ft gain
    This trail is a 1.8 mile loop that is ideal for families or anyone looking for a short but spectacular hike. Begin at the trailhead where Cold Spring Creek crosses Mountain Drive. Follow the trail with a wooden sign--not the one with a rusty sign. Stay right at every fork. There will be a couple ...
    Read more
  • Montecito, California

    Hike the Saddle Rock Loop

    4.0
    2.9 mi / 895 ft gain
    Begin at the trailhead in the parking area on E. Valley Road. You'll gain some elevation (don't forget your water). You'll know when you arrive at Saddle Rock--you can't miss this conspicuous rock formation. Enjoy the sights from here. If you plan carefully and hike up on a clear day, you may eve...
    Read more
  • Montecito, California

    Hammonds Meadow Trail

    0.36 mi / 20 ft gain
    Hammonds Meadow Trail is an out-and-back trail that is good for all skill levels located near Santa Barbara, California.
    Read more