Tangerine Falls: The Best Santa Barbara Waterfall
Tangerine Falls is, in my opinion, the tallest and most striking Santa Barbara waterfall. Standing around 100 feet tall, I haven’t seen anything quite like it in the area. Not only is the waterfall something to behold, but the view from the waterfall is equally as incredible. You can literally see the Pacific Ocean and two Channel Islands (Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands) on the horizon on a clear day! The trail is just under 2.5 miles out and back, and climbs roughly 900 feet in elevation. Despite the relatively short distance, it took me roughly four hours to complete at a slow, exploratory pace. It takes quite the adventurous spirit to get here, but once you do, the reward at the end is even sweeter!
Why is Tangerine Falls the Sketchiest Santa Barbara Waterfall Hike?
Santa Barbara waterfalls are notoriously difficult to find and very season-dependent, which means there is a lot less traffic during the dry months. Tangerine Falls in particular is especially sketchy because it has been unmaintained since the famous Thomas Fire and subsequent mudslides that swept through the area in 2017. There are multiple signs along the trail that warn you of the dangers, which are a good reminder that you must have your wits about you to safely complete this hike.
Consequently, expect to wade through a creek over slippery rocks, scramble up crumbly falls comprised of wet sandstone, climb through fallen trees, and literally route-find the least treacherous way up the creek bed, all the while attempting to avoid poison oak as you bushwhack 1,500+ feet upstream. Additionally, you won’t have cell service here in the event of emergency, so be very careful.
My Personal Experience
I am an avid rock climber and it took twice as long as I’d originally thought. I’d already hiked Seven Falls, another local Santa Barbara waterfall, so I expected something like that, but it was tougher than anticipated, especially the route finding. I brought my mom (not a rock climber) along, and definitely had to help her in the trickier spots. I personally felt pretty comfortable on the terrain and didn’t think any of it was too difficult, but I think she would disagree. I wouldn’t recommend going if you aren’t good at scrambling up slippery rocks.
I chose to go barefoot for traction. I like to feel how slick the rock is before committing my life to it, and I don’t necessarily trust water shoes to do the job, but I definitely wished I’d brought some by the end as my feet were pretty raw. I was jamming my feet into holes as I climbed up smaller waterfalls along the way. At times, the rocks fell away underneath my feet. Like I said, be very attentive and keep in mind that whatever you climb up, you must also climb back down on the way out.
**Disclaimer: Take what I say with a grain of salt. Each one of us has our own strengths and weaknesses, and conditions change daily. You are responsible for your own decisions and safety. What might have been safe for me one day, might not be for you the next. Know when to turn around if conditions appear unsafe for you and your ability.
Can I See Tangerine Falls Without the Sketchy Trail?
Yes! There are a few ways to catch a glimpse of Tangerine Falls without embarking on a route-finding, rock climbing epoch.
Tangerine Falls is visible from West Fork Cold Spring Trail before the turn off for the sketchy creek scramble. For a bit more effort, you can get a closer view by hiking the North Fork Cold Spring Trail to the Tangerine Falls Overlook. Additionally, this trail will grant you a nice view of the ocean!
Best Time of Year for Santa Barbara Waterfall Hikes
If you’re not from the area, you might not know how little rainfall we get every year, but I can count on one hand the number of heavy rainstorms we get annually. Consequently, waterfalls and creeks run dry for much of the year, especially during drier years. The “rainy” season—December through March—is the best time of year for flowing waterfalls, but anytime after a recent rain will work! Temperatures during these months are most favorable for hiking— usually in the 50s and 60s.
The photos above from my Tangerine Falls hike were taken in December 2022, only a week after a heavy rainstorm, which is the ideal time to go if you’d like to encounter running water. I’d advise against hiking on rainy days due to the risk of flash flooding and mudslides, but plan to go explore shortly after. Once a few weeks have passed since the most recent rain, the creek might still have water, but the waterfall will likely have dried up.
During the summer, especially late summer, expect temperatures above 90 degrees and very little (if any) water in the creek.
How to Find Tangerine Falls
Trailhead for Tangerine Falls
Tangerine Falls is located near Gould Park in Montecito, California— a suburb of Santa Barbara. The trail begins at Cold Spring Trailhead— a popular trailhead in the area. Cold Spring Trailhead is a popular access point for a few different Santa Barbara waterfall hikes and mountain biking trails. Expect to see other hikers, mountain bikers, and pets enjoying a day in nature! Consequently, parking is limited, so arrive early on weekends. I had no problem finding parking at 9am on a Monday in December.
**Pro Tip: Listen for bells from incoming mountain bikers, the main trails are shared by everyone!
The Easy First Half of the Tangerine Falls Hike
Begin your Santa Barbara waterfall adventure on Cold Spring Trail. This trail is considered moderate, but the part you’ll hike on is pretty easy and very well maintained. Walk for a quarter mile until you reach a creek crossing. Take a left at the fork at the creek crossing onto West Fork Cold Spring Trail. You’ll follow this trail for a half mile. As you hike, be sure to keep an eye up the canyon because Tangerine Falls will soon come into view in the distance. From here, you can tell if it’s flowing or not. Keep right at the fork at the warning sign for Tangerine Falls Unmaintained Area to follow Montecito Creek, then use a social trail to the right to drop into the creek shortly after. This is where the trail disappears and the terrain becomes tricky.
The Treacherous Second Half of the Tangerine Falls Hike
Once finding your way to the creek, the objective is simple: follow the creek upstream to reach Tangerine Falls. However, the executions is not so simple. As you can see by my route above, the remainder of the hike is the opposite of straightforward, and looks like I’ve mapped the route in silly string. The adventure is half the fun! Meander your way up the creek, climbing over boulders, pushing through foliage, and somehow making forward progress. You know you’ve succeeded when you’re standing under the falls! Despite the challenge, I thoroughly enjoyed the entire journey, as there are countless little waterfalls and treasures to find along the way!
Hiking Back from Tangerine Falls
After spending some time enjoying the falls, leave enough time and energy to return the way you came. Descend until you meet up with Cold Spring Trail Loop at the creek crossing. From here you have a few options:
- Return the quarter mile to your car.
- Hike Cold Spring Trail Loop
- Hike both Cold Spring Trail Loop and the detour to Montecito Hot Springs
Adding to Your Tangerine Falls Hike
If you are looking to add some distance to your hike, there are a couple other cool trails nearby! I’d recommend adding two miles by completing Cold Spring Trail Loop, and another two by taking a detour to Montecito Hot Springs. This is the route my mom and I took, and it worked out well and made for a full day of exploration!
Cold Spring Trail Loop
This is the loop you start up before branching off at West Fork Cold Spring Trail. Once you return to the very first creek crossing, turn left up the stream instead of right back to the car and complete the two-mile loop. You’ll pass another waterfall as well as gain an incredible view over Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands on the descent.
Montecito Hot Springs
For an even longer hike, take Cold Spring Trail Loop as described above, then detour left at East Fork Cold Spring Trail at the top of the hill. Continue to Cold – Hot Springs Connector which will lead you to down into a canyon to Montecito Hot Springs. Return to Cold Spring Trail Loop the way you came and complete the loop to the car. Altogether, this will add an additional two miles to your hike.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, designed to allow The Unremarkable Climber (me) to earn a small commission if you choose to book through them, at no extra cost to you. This really helps support the site and lets me know you find this information valuable! That being said, all of the experiences I recommend, commission based or not, are genuine recommendations for some of my favorite activities, so I hope you enjoy them as much as I have! Feel free to drop any questions in the message box below.
More Things to Do in Santa Barbara
Exploring Another Santa Barbara Waterfall Hike: Seven Falls Trail
If you loved this type of exploration, I urge you to check out Seven Falls Trail, just 15 minutes up the road! The scrambling aspect is similar, but with a bit less bushwhacking and a bit shorter. As a result, I can hike this trail much more quickly.
Begin at Inspiration Point Trailhead, then continue towards Inspiration Point until you cross the creek. Then, follow the creek upstream 1000 feet to the falls. Once at the falls, scramble up the right side to catch a glimpse of the subsequent falls higher up. Only the sure-footed climbers can make it further than this! Either return the way you came or scramble up a loose hillside to the left assisted by a sketchy rope and wire combo to meet the real trail which will bring you back to the creek crossing.
Click here for more information on Seven Falls Trail.
My Favorite Santa Barbara Restaurants
I am always starving after hiking. Luckily, Santa Barbara has a wide variety of food and drinks to choose from. Some of my favorite spots are:
- Santa Barbara Shellfish Company for seafood and ambiance
- El Sitio for Mexican cuisine
- Backyard Bowls for acai bowls
- Zaytoon for Lebanese cuisine
- Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch for BBQ chicken
- Topa Topa Brewing Co. for local beer
- The Funk Zone for sheer number of wine tasting rooms
My Favorite Santa Barbara Museums
Unwind from your adventure by learning about Santa Barbara’s rich cultural and natural history. Here are a few of my favorite places to do so:
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
- Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center
- Old Mission Santa Barbara 1786
- Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
Visit Channel Islands National Park
Stay the night or come back and spend a full day exploring Channel Islands National Park! I’d recommend starting with Santa Cruz Island and branching out to Anacapa Island or Santa Rosa Island from there. Some highlights of your day might include:
- Hiking along ocean bluffs
- Kayaking through sea caves
- Earning a junior ranger badge
- Snorkeling in kelp forests
- Spotting the endemic island fox or Santa Cruz Island scrub jay
- Racing common dolphins on the ferry
- Watching for whales
- Learning why humans have inhabited the Channel Islands for over 10,000 years
Go Whale Watching in Santa Barbara
A third of all whales, dolphins, and porpoises have been spotted in the Santa Barbara Channel, not to mention the seals and sea lions, sharks, unique fish, and migrating seabirds! Check out my post Whale Watching in Santa Barbara: A Complete Guide to learn all about the whales in the Santa Barbara Channel and how to see them! Then, book a whale watching excursion and see them in person!
For more ideas, check out:
The Best Way to Spend One Day in Santa Barbara, California
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3 Days in Santa Barbara: A True Adventure Itinerary
The Santa Barbara Rock Climbing Trifecta