Inspiration point santa barbara5/5/2023 ![]() ![]() Inspiration Point is a beautiful hiking trail in Santa Barbara that swiftly winds up the mountainside. There is no official trailhead parking lot. Take Tunnel Road as far up as the road leads and the trailhead begins there. How to get there: This hiking trail is located above the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens and is found on Tunnel Road. Inspiration Point This photo is the trailhead for Rattlesnake Canyon, we’re resting at this structure before our 4.4 mile out and back hike. From hiking duration to difficulty levels and tips - I got you covered.įor first timers in California here’s some other resources to get you started on your first trip to California and welcome to the sunshine state! If you’re planning a trip to Santa Barbara, California, here’s all you need to know about the best hikes in Santa Barbara. Except on those blustery and cozy rainy days! I guess you need a hiking break at some point. The beautiful year round weather and Mediterranean climate makes it ideal hiking weather almost everyday. There’s even some incredible hikes right next to the beaches!Īfter spending six years living in Santa Barbara, I can confirm there is no shortage of beauty in this Southern California city. For adventure seekers, outdoor dwellers, and hiking enthusiasts alike - incredible hikes in Santa Barbara can be found throughout the entire city. Santa Barbara is a wellness paradise equipped with both pristine coastal shores and vast green mountainsides. That means I will receive a small commission on the purchase at no additional cost to you. From there you can also continue hiking to Tunnel Trail or Rattlesnake Corridor.Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. Once you arrive at Rocky Pine Ridge, you can do some boulder hopping and explore the rocks, or bring some snacks and take in the view. You will be walking back to your car in the dark and – unless you’re very familiar with the area – will most definitely get lost. While the photos were beautiful, I wouldn’t recommend this. We went late in the afternoon to take sunset photos from the rocks. The hike requires great navigational abilities - especially when returning to your car. Some parts are fairly steep and there are numerous opportunities to get lost. While this is a somewhat short trail, that doesn’t make it easy. If you successfully stay on the route, follow it another 1/4 mile and you will arrive at Rocky Pine Ridge. The trail will head up the hill traversing to the right, then after about 1/4 mile it will turn a corner to the left towards Santa Barbara.Īfter 3/4 of a mile the trail becomes more rocky, and you will find yourself boulder hopping and searching for the trail. There is a very faint trail that becomes more distinct as you enter the brushy area (look for footprints). Look towards the right for a way up (we ran up a sand embankment). To locate, just walk downhill slightly toward Gibraltar Rd. The trail is unmarked, so finding it is a little difficult. The trail begins at the junction of Gibraltar Rd and East Camino Cielo (on the Santa Barbara side of the road). Many people call this area the “Rock Garden.” These boulders provide visitors the opportunity to climb over, under and between rocks in search of the best vantage point. Spectacular views of Santa Barbara are surrounded by pine trees and beautiful rock formations of smooth, rounded sandstone boulders. If you only do one hike in the Santa Barbara mountains, Rocky Pine Ridge should be it. However, while this hike is currently one of Santa Barbara’s best kept secrets, it’s too beautiful not to share. The place is hidden and the trail unmarked, so identifying the name of the rock area required quite a bit of research. After sharing a photo on Instagram, several people asked me where the image was taken. On a recent trip to Santa Barbara, I followed local photographer Blake Bronstad to a hidden hiking trail leading to the most breathtaking view of Santa Barbara I’ve ever seen. Beautiful hikes boasting stunning views are readily available for anyone looking to get in touch with their adventurous side. Situated between the mountains and the ocean, Santa Barbara is a natural playground for outdoor enthusiasts. ![]()
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