Santa Barbara

Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park preserves centuries old Native American artwork that graces the wall of a sandstone cave in the Santa Ynez Mountains behind Santa Barbara. Chumash Painted Cave can be reached by walking a couple hundred feet up a trail on Painted Cave Road. The trailhead is just two miles from California Route 154, making it a quick, convenient, and interesting stop for travelers crossing the 154 between Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley. ...Read more.

The Santa Ynez Mountains form a verdant backdrop behind Santa Barbara. One of the highest summits in the range is Montecito Peak, which offers sensational views over the coastal cities below and the Pacific Ocean beyond. The 3,214-foot peak can be reached via a demanding 7.1-mile round trip hike with 2,450 feet of elevation change. It is quite a trek, but the ever-expanding ocean views will keep you motivated along the way. ...Read more.

On Tunnel View Trail, you can expect to see exactly what the name advertises, a view of the Gaviota Tunnel crossed by northbound traffic on Highway 101 between Santa Barbara and Buellton. You can also expect this 2.6 mile loop with 600 feet of elevation gain to deliver a rustic hiking experience up a narrow overgrown trail. If you could tune out the din of the freeway below, the trail would feel completely remote. ...Read more.

In the mountains above Santa Barbara, a plot of privately owned land surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest. On that land stand the remains of a palatial estate that burned down seventy years ago, the so-called Knapp's Castle. To the ruins and back is a 0.8-mile round trip hike with 50 feet of elevation change. The majestic views from this unique spot far exceed the effort. ...Read more.

Driving up Highway 101 through the Gaviota Tunnel west of Santa Barbara, you might be unaware that a natural hot springs is less than a mile from the roadway. Gaviota Hot Springs is more warm than it is hot, but the blue sulfery water attracts its share of bathers. The springs are half a mile from the trailhead and only a tenth of a mile off the trail to Gaviota Peak, making it a nice detour if you have tired legs to soak. ...Read more.

Nojoqui Falls Parks is located just off Highway 101 north of the Gaviota Tunnel between Santa Barbara and Buellton. In addition to picnic tables and playing fields, the park offers a short hike to an eighty-foot waterfall. This two-thirds of a mile round trip trail ascends 175 feet up a shaded canyon to the enchanting Nojoqui Falls. Nojoqui Falls Trail There are no junctions on the way to Nojoqui Falls. ...Read more.

Gaviota Peak sits at the lofty west end of the Santa Ynez Mountains behind Santa Barbara. The 2,458-foot peak is just two miles from the Pacific Ocean, putting it in prime position to offer eye-popping views. There are two routes to the summit from the trailhead in Gaviota State Park. The traditional Gaviota Peak Trail is 3.15 miles one-way, while the immensely scenic Trespass Trail is 3. ...Read more.

This 3.7-mile hike combines four trails (San Ysidro Canyon Trail, McMenemy Trail, Girard Trail, and Edison Catway Fire Road) to form a loop through the mountains behind Montecito, California. The trails ascend 1,000 feet, providing good exercise and views. From San Ysidro Trailhead, begin hiking inland on the wide trail that passes through a neighborhood before reaching Los Padres National Forest. ...Read more.

Tequepis Trail begins near the shores of Lake Cachuma and ascends the north side of the Santa Ynez Mountains behind Santa Barbara. The trail up offers views of the lake and valley, and there are broader ocean views from the top. This is an invigorating 8.4-mile round trip hike with 2,300 feet of elevation gain. To reach Tequepis Trail, start at the free parking lot at the entrance of Circle V Camp. ...Read more.

The Gaviota Wind Caves are a sandstone formation located a mile from the Pacific Ocean in the Santa Ynez Mountains west of Santa Barbara. The hike to the wind-swept caves is 2.5 miles round trip with 600 feet of elevation gain. One good thing about the Gaviota Wild Caves is that they are easy to get to from the 101. In fact, the wind caves can be seen from the freeway. ...Read more.