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| Easy paths at the Carp bluffs |
Santa Barbara presents a
diverse topography for hikes, from ocean bluffs to front country to the rugged
back country. These three hikes give you assorted scenic vistas, a moderate
workout and great photo ops. Plus none are too far from downtown. A note on
hiking here in Santa Barbara, and all along the Central Coast: Yes, we have poison oak so always be cautions when
going off trail. It’s called poison oak but it can’t kill you but rest assured,
as a native Californian and having had my share of it – it ain’t fun. Even as
of this writing I contracted some on my left leg while hiking in Big Sur. Always
bring water, hat, cell phone, and sunscreen when you hike. My small pack also
includes a knife, and nuts for protein, just in case. So get packed and get
going!
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| The views from the bluffs |
Coastal
The Carpinteria Bluffs and Seal Rookery is
less hike and more easy stroll on soft dirt paths, and the bluffs are a great
beach excursion across eucalyptus-studded
groves heading to the water. It’s only a mile out and a mile back, but this
coastal walk is perfect for any age and fitness group, in fact the elevation
gain is like 2 feet. The scent of
chaparral meets you as you pull into the parking lot with low grasses and
shrubs in front of you. There is also access down to the beach, however part of
the beach is closed off December 1 through May 31 during birthing and nursing
season for the harbor seals who seem
to think mating in public is just fine (showoffs). While there, they are noisy
but fun to watch. Located right off the freeway this is immensely easy to get
to and gets you to views of both the ocean and the mountains and gets you to
the water’s edge while still feeling like you’re in a preserve. That feeling is
briefly interrupted by crossing the train tracks, but as long as there are no
actual trains in your way, it’s all good. You might see whales and dolphins,
certainly plenty of sea birds (not on the train, on the hike). To get there
exit Bailard Ave. from Highway 101 north or south and head to the ocean.
There’s a small parking lot right in front of you.
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| The views from Tin Can Meadow |
Front
Country
Rattlesnake Canyon is one of the more
popular hikes and is fairly easy, and no, you won’t come across any
rattlesnakes since it was named for its serpentine canyon. This is a well-marked
trail and is less than 4 miles in total. You’ll pass by pools, streams and
eventually come out the top of a small hill with panoramic views to the ocean
and the Channel Islands. From Los Canelos Road near the Santa Barbara Botanic
Garden it’s just over 1 mile to the second stone bridge where there is ample
parking before and after the bridge on the road pullouts. Starting on the trail
it feels like you’ve been jipped – it’s hot and dry and uninteresting. After 10
minutes on the trail there’s a short incline where you encounter two oak trees
- go left (going right is a short
trail, nothing exciting).
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| Never know what's you'll find on Rattlesnake trail |
You soon hook up with the creek in a wooded area then
cross the creek and head up into sheer diversity. You'll likely see grey
squirrels and wild bunnies (not mean,
just wild). It will take you 40 minutes at a moderate pace to reach Tin Can Meadow, which is a great
turnaround point. There’s a flat rock there where you can sit for a while,
surrounded by tall grass and absorb the beauty before heading back. There is a
terrific diversity of stuff here from multiple stream crossings to wooded areas
to open narrow trails, moss covered boulders, pine and oak trees, low scrub and
thick trees. With an elevation gain of
900 feet it’s also a decent workout.
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| The rocks, ocean and Islands from Lizard's Mouth |
Back
Country
Lizard’s Mouth (West Camino Cielo
Road) For a completely different experience, head to Lizard’s Mouth, so named
for the unusual sandstone outcroppings – though not sure how a lizard affected
this. On the south facing slopes of the mountain with panoramic views of all of
Santa Barbara and Channel Islands (and quite possibly China…well maybe not) this
a sea of wondrous boulders, curvilinear
smooth sandstone, as if sculpted by hand, windswept and eerie. Take Highway
154 up from Santa Barbara 7 miles to West Camino Cielo and turn left. Follow
the road 4 miles to the Winchester Gun Club entrance. Turn around here and on
your right had side, about 100 yards back down the road you’ll see a graffiti
sprayed brown wooden sign, about 20 feet off the road. There are no real paths
here you just wander in between large boulders and on top of sandstone flats.
Some boulders you can walk underneath and you swear they might collapse on you.
It almost looks like a movie set and Lizard’s Mouth has an otherworldly moonscape feel to it. It’s easy to get lost so keep
an eye on where you came from. Small trails head out to, and in-between, the
rocks, some with small crevices and near cave-like entrances. It’s pretty much
rock hopping out here. It's a little disconcerting to hear the gunfire from the
Winchester Gun Club up the road at first, but you're perfectly safe. Weekdays
are better as it’s less crowded.
For a totally different hike, check out my post about the Arroyo Hondo Preserve
