13 Easy Hikes in Santa Barbara
We spent eight months scoping out all the easy hikes in Santa Barbara so our entire family could get outdoors together. While we have a young(er) husky mix who loves to explore trails high in the Santa Ynez mountains, our other two dogs (a 7-pound chihuahua and a nearly blind senior golden retriever) like to hike too! So, we became very good at finding easy hikes in Santa Barbara.
Each of these hiking trails are unique. They have different scenery, terrain, and plant life, allowing you to sample different aspects of the Santa Barbara landscape. Whether you’re short on time or looking for a less strenuous hike, we’ve got you covered with our ultimate guide to easy hikes in Santa Barbara!
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1. Honda Valley Trail
Distance: 1.4 miles
Type: Out-and-back
Honda Valley Trail is located on the Mesa within Honda Valley and Thornberry Parks. It’s generally very secluded, making it the perfect place to go in town to feel like you’re getting away. You’ll enjoy ocean views, wildflowers (when in season), and shade from the beautiful coast live oaks that were saved from development. This one is perfect for a morning stroll with a hot cup of coffee!
2. Steven’s Park Trail
Distance: 1.6 miles
Type: Out-and-back
Steven’s Park Trail is another gem. It’s a shaded trail that runs alongside a creek and has a lovely open space to sit and chat with a friend or let your pup romp and play. Those looking to extend the hike can connect with the Jesusita Trail for a 4-mile round trip adventure. Enjoy wonderful mountain views and wildflowers along this walk. And keep your eyes peeled for Chumash Bedrock Mortars along the way!
3. Arroyo Burro Beach Loop
Distance: 1.6 miles
Type: Out-and-back
The Arroyo Burro Beach Loop hugs the perimeter of Douglas Family Preserve, a coastal bluff above the popular Hendry’s Beach. This trail is a favorite among locals, especially dog owners as pups are allowed to run free within the preserve! Just be sure to exercise caution close to the edge of the bluff as there are no gates or protective barriers to prevent falls over the cliff. The views from this path are spectacular, though — especially at sunset!
You’ll wind in and out through a stand of coast live oaks and Monterey pines to the edge of the bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This is a trademark Santa Barbara hike and an excellent option for someone wanting to see why Santa Barbara’s natural beauty is world famous!
4. Rocky Nook Park Trail
Distance: 0.7 miles
Type: Loop
Rocky Nook Park Trail is a quaint, shaded trail found within a local park which bears the same name. It is mostly paved and takes about 20 minutes to complete. This is perfect for walking with your family after dinner or on a breezy weekend afternoon. You’ll likely run into other locals with dogs or small children on this trail. It’s popular among residents of nearby Mission Canyon neighborhoods. There are also lots of large rocks for young kids or dogs to play on. Don’t forget to stop and play a round of horseshoes at the pit along the trail!
5. La Cumbre Peak Vista Point
Distance: 0.3 miles
Type: Loop
Can you believe that views from the highest peak in the Santa Ynez mountain range can be accessed via a 0.3-mile paved walk to the La Cumbre Vista Point? While this trail may not make for a very long hike, it’s too good to pass up! Enjoy the short 5-10 minute walk from the parking lot to La Cumbre peak at 3,997 feet. Up there, you’ll enjoy expansive views of Santa Barbara, the Pacific Ocean, the Santa Ynez backcountry, and the Channel Islands (if you’re not above the clouds)! Pack a lunch and eat at the picnic tables for breathtaking views and a meal you won’t forget!
6. San Roque Creek Trail
Distance: 3.0 miles
Type: Out-and-back
The San Roque Creek Trail is a little longer than some of the others on this list, but it’s an out-and-back so you can stop and turn around whenever you’d like! It’s a lovely hike that follows a dirt path within Steven’s Park, so it has some nice shade cover (something you cannot take for granted out west). There are a few areas with rockier terrain, but it’s still a relatively easy hike. This trail is great for hikers of all skill levels. It also offers views of the mountains and is known for wildflowers that grow along the trail. It’s perfect for walking and talking with a friend, or getting some much-needed solitude alone!
7. Ennisbrook Park Trail
Distance: 1.7 miles
Type: Loop
The Ennisbrook Park Trail is a local favorite in Montecito! It follows the San Yisdro Creek and offers visitors a secluded and serene walk in town. You’ll walk along the road for a portion before ducking into the forest to complete the Ennisbrook Loop and return to the main trail. Locals rave about the beautiful oak trees that shade the trail and views of the nearby creek bed. Pack some ice water and stop to watch the wind blow through the majestic oaks trees!
8. San Marco Foothills West Mesa Loop
Distance: 1.7 miles
Type: Loop
San Marcos Foothills West Mesa Loop is hands-down one of our favorite places in Santa Barbara! We brought our dogs for a hike here before our golden retriever had the first of many eye surgeries that changed his appearance and our lives. The trail is very exposed (so bring lots of water), but you’ll find picturesque shade trees along the perimeter of the preserve. The San Marcos Open Space offers up close views of the mountains and distant views of the Mesa and Pacific Ocean.
If you visit on a breezy day, the atmosphere is so peaceful and serene that you could meditate on one of the boulders that are scattered throughout the field! There are many smaller paths (some of which offer steeper grades) that branch off from the trail, so this really is a make-it-what-you-want kind of adventure!
9. More Mesa Trail
Distance: 2.8 miles
Type: Loop
The More Mesa Trail is a scenic hike along the coastal bluffs of Goleta. To this day, it’s one of Loran’s favorite spots in Santa Barbara! It has a similar feel to the Arroyo Burro Loop, but it’s in a less developed area with fewer people and clearer views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Though the hike is a loop, we have also enjoyed it as an out-and-back when we picnicked along the bluff. The mesa is pretty open, so you can choose which paths you want to take and how long you want to follow them for. Be sure to go around sunset, because the color change in the sky is magnificent! There is also a picturesque wooden swing hanging from a tree along the bluff. It’s a wonderful place to be one with nature!
Looking for other hidden gems like More Mesa in Santa Barbara? Check out our post on Hidden Places in Santa Barbara!
10. San Antonio Creek Trail
Distance: 2.9 miles
Type: Out-and-back
The San Antonio Creek Trail is a classic Santa Barbara hike! It’s a bit longer than the other hikes on this list. But, like the San Roque Creek Trail, it’s an out-and-back so you’re welcome to cut the hike short whenever you please! This shaded and breezy trail is filled with wildlife and birdsong. It dead ends at a road, but some locals told us to keep walking past the road to extend the hike to the San Marcos Foothills Trail. This hike was our first easy hike in Santa Barbara and we absolutely loved it!
11. Coffin Family Trail
Distance: 2.1 miles
Type: Loop
Coffin Family Trail is a lovely walking and equine path that travels along the Ortega Ridge. You’ll enjoy views of the golf course, some horse stables, and the Santa Ynez mountains as you stroll along a serene path. While the trail is dog-friendly, be careful because some hikers have noted it’s a bit overgrown with lots of ticks and foxtails.
12. Wiman Trail
Distance: 1.1 miles
Type: Out-and-back
The Wiman Trail is more of an urban hike. It’s bookended by roads but features a nice walking path under shade trees in the middle. What makes this hike extra special is the remarkable view of the ocean, which is seen just beyond the rooftops of a nearby neighborhood. This route can be completed in about a half an hour, making it the perfect pit stop to stretch your legs on a lunch break or between errands.
13. White Buffalo Loop
Distance: 1.6 miles
Type: Loop
The White Buffalo Loop is a cute urban trail in Summerland. It features lovely views of the coastal bluffs and the Pacific in the distance. Part of this hike is a paved path that joins with a dusty trail lined by avocado trees! You’ll enjoy seclusion as this trail is not frequently trafficked.
Conclusion: Easy Hikes in Santa Barbara
You can’t go wrong with any of these easy hikes in Santa Barbara. What matters is that you get out in nature and enjoy all that Santa Barbara has to offer. It’s a beautiful place with plenty to offer hikers of all skill levels. Whether you’re going for a walk with grandma or taking your senior dog out for a stroll, these easy hikes in Santa Barbara should be like porridge that is just right.
If you’re looking for more Santa Barbara inspiration, check out our 1 Day in Santa Barbara article and download your to-go itinerary below!
