Hiking Trails & Parks in Santa Barbara, California
255 hiking & walking trails and 12parks, recreation areas & campgrounds in Santa Barbara, located in Santa Barbara County, California. Free trail map for every listing.
About Outdoor Recreation in Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara offers 255 mapped hiking trails and 12 federally managed parks within the city or nearby. Located in Santa Barbara County, California, it’s a starting point for hikers, campers, and casual nature seekers.
Explore more nearby: Santa Barbara County overview, all Santa Barbara County trails, or statewide California list.
Parks & Campgrounds in Santa Barbara
Hiking Trails in Santa Barbara
Curated Guides for Santa Barbara
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hiking trails in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California?
Yes — we have 255 mapped hiking and walking trails in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California, sourced from OpenStreetMap. Browse the full list below, with distance, elevation, and difficulty for each.
What is the most difficult hiking trail in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California?
3 pools Trail near Santa Barbara is rated hard — the toughest classification among Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California's mapped trails.
What is the best hiking trail in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California for families?
19 Oaks Connector Trail near Santa Barbara is one of the best family picks in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California — easy difficulty, short enough for kids and first-timers. See the full family hiking guide below for more options.
Is there a trail map for Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California?
Each of the 255 trails in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California has its own page with an interactive map, GPS coordinates, and a link to view it on OpenStreetMap — no app or account needed.
What parks and recreation areas are in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California?
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California has 12 parks, recreation areas, and federal facilities in our index (1 classified as recreation areas). Each listing includes activities, photos where available, and directions.
Can I go camping in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California?
Yes — 2 of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California's parks have mapped campsites, from first-come sites to Recreation.gov reservations. The largest is FREMONT CAMPGROUND with 15 sites. See the full campgrounds guide below for the ranked list.
Where can I find hiking trails and parks near Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California?
Browse all hiking trails, walking trails, parks, and campgrounds across Santa Barbara County for more options beyond Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California.
From the OutsideAtlas Blog
Photo: Joshua EarleThe 10 Longest Hiking Trails in California, Ranked
California's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Sergei AkulichCalifornia's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain
Steep is hard. These are the ten California trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Maddi BazzoccoThe Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in California
Ten gentle, well-marked California trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Holly MandarichThe 10 Most Challenging Hikes in California
California's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Diego LozanoThe Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in California
Federal parks and recreation areas in California ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Joshua EarleBest Waterfall Hikes in California: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close
California's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.