Where to Go Hiking in Santa Barbara after Rain: Top 4 Trails

Nestled in between the San Ynez mountains and Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara, California is known for its Spanish mission-style architecture, local wineries, and laid-back surf vibe, not for its waterfalls and natural springs. Only an hour or two from Los Angeles, southern California locals flock here for a quaint getaway in a quirky surf town where you can surf in the morning, hike in the afternoon, and go wine-tasting in the evening! The weather is almost always sunny and nice (with the exception of the month of June), which makes for a perfect weekend getaway.

Amid all this perfectly sunny weather, there isn’t much time for rainy days which creates a fairly dry environment in the local mountains. Occasionally though, a storm will pass through bringing rain, filling streams, and creating magnificent waterfalls only a stone’s throw from civilization. Usually, the runoff makes for murky water and deters surfers, but provides a rare opportunity for adventurous hikers to experience Santa Barbara’s unique watershed!

In this local adventure guide, you’ll be able to explore some of the best trails for hiking in Santa Barbara after rain!

Dangers of Hiking in Santa Barbara after a Rain Storm

It would be naive to assume that hiking after a storm, especially a strong rain storm, doesn’t come with inherent risks. Santa Barbara isn’t just famous for its beaches, but also for its fatal mudslides that occur during heavy rains, especially after a recent fire. Never go hiking in Santa Barbara during a heavy rain. Wait at least a day if not a few days (depending on the amount of rainfall) to allow the bulk of the immediate flooding to dissipate. Be extra cautious, as most Santa Barbara hiking trails don’t have phone coverage, and always respect local forest closures!

Flash flooding is a deadly hazard, and can sweep through creek systems without warning if it’s still raining higher in the mountains, even if it’s clear on the trail. Flash floods come on quick and are very powerful, knocking down trees and eroding the hillsides as they flow towards the ocean.

Loose debris is also a major risk in creek systems. A heavy current can uproot trees, weakening soil and causing landslides and rock falls. Waiting a few days will allow the debris to settle into place where it will be less likely to come tumbling down into the canyon. Even then, you might encounter downed trees and impassable obstacles on the trail.

Trail erosion is another common hazard following a storm, making it challenging to stay on trail and increasing your risk of getting lost. Muddy trails also increase your risk of slips and falls in an area without phone service. Be sure to wear proper footwear with traction.

Poison Oak is prevalent in most canyons along coastal California. Know what it looks like, and wash your body and clothes well after getting home.

What to Bring Hiking in Santa Barbara

Hiking in Santa Barbara is similar to most hiking in Southern California. Prepare yourself by bringing the following items with you on your adventure:

At least 2L of water: temperatures on trail are usually much warmer than coastal temperatures, so dehydration and heat exhaustion is common, especially on warmer spring days.
Sun protection: Even though shade is more common in wet canyons, much of the trails are still pretty exposed to the sun.
Hiking boots/water shoes with good traction: Trails are muddy and slick after rain, and some may take you right through a knee-deep creek bed or scrambling over wet rocks. See more information for specific trails below.
Dry bag: Prepare to get wet if you’re hiking up a creek. Protect your valuables (e.g. phone and camera) with a dry bag.
Swimsuit and towel: Even if you don’t plan to swim, you might get pretty wet while hiking or exploring creeks and waterfalls.
First aid kit: Bumps and scrapes are sometimes inevitable in slippery conditions. Bring basic first aid supplies just in case.
Trail map: I always download a trail map to reference as I hike. You’ll encounter a lot of crisscrossing trails while hiking in Santa Barbara, so it’s best to have a downloaded map handy so that when you lose service you don’t also lose the trail.

Top 4 Hiking Trails in the Santa Barbara Watershed

These are my four favorite trails for hiking in Santa Barbara after a solid rain storm. The perfect trail for you depends on your coordination, comfort level scrambling up slippery rocks, and athletic ability. Below, you’ll find more information on each trail, as well as what to expect and my own personal experience.

1. Seven Falls Trail

My all-time favorite trail to explore after a good rain is Seven Falls Trail! This 2.5-mile out-and-back moderate trail climbs about 700 feet in elevation as you scramble 1000 feet up a flowing creek bed. Although considered moderate, I’d say it’s hard for anyone lacking scrambling experience. The following photos were taken five days after a light rain and I already had to scramble around chest-deep pools and wade up to my knees. After a big rain, you might have to commit to the swim which makes for a fun (and soggy) adventure. The rock formations are beautiful along the way even if you can’t make it all the way to the falls, so I’d still recommend exploring as far as you can get.

**LOCAL TIP: Add two miles of hiking and check out Inspiration Point after you visit the falls!

Getting to Seven Falls

To get here, you’ll park at Inspiration Point Trailhead (another nearby beautiful hike). This is a popular trailhead for hiking in Santa Barbara, so parking is limited here. Plan to arrive earlier or later than the prime hiking crowd. I’ve had the most luck on weekday afternoons, but just plan ahead for whatever schedule you have to work with.

To begin, start up the road as if you’re hiking to Inspiration Point. Enjoy the beautiful views of Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands! Continue past the bridge as for Inspiration Point, turn left at the water tank, then, when you cross the creek bed, turn right to travel upstream. There is no defined trail this way, so keep to the creek. After 1000 feet of scrambling, you’ll find the first of the Seven Falls. There is a technical scramble up and right to access the other pools.

For more trail information, click here!

Returning from Seven Falls

To return to the main trail, you have two options. Either scramble back downstream the way you came (the easier option if it’s really muddy), or scramble up a loose, muddy hill to the left of the first waterfall aided by a sketchy rope/wire combo. This will lead you to an overlook trail which, after turning left, will meet back up with the main trail at the creek crossing.

2. Cold Spring Loop Trail

If you aren’t into all the scrambling, Cold Spring Loop Trail is the best post-rain option for hiking in Santa Barbara! The full loop is just over two miles, and I’d recommend hiking clockwise so that the uphill part is in the shade. This way, you’ll hike uphill adjacent to Cold Spring Creek along a well-established trail, rise 700 feet in elevation, and descend while facing a beautiful view over Santa Barbara. Along the way, you’ll cross a creek and pass a small waterfall, listening to the rapids all the while.

There isn’t any scrambling on this trail, though you may have to hop across some rocks to cross the creek if the water is really flowing. This trail does gain some elevation, so it is considered moderate, but it will get you up close with some flowing water without ever having to leave a well-marked trail.

Hiking Cold Spring Loop Trail

Cold Spring Loop Trail begins at Cold Spring Trailhead. Begin hiking on the right side of the creek, but take the trail that begins adjacent to the creek so that you hike the loop clockwise. There will be a steeper trail further right, but that will be the end of your loop. Enjoy the peaceful creek for the first half of your hike. Then, soon after passing the little falls, you’ll leave the creek and wind your way out to a panoramic view of Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands where you will then descend back to the car.

For more detailed trail information, click here!

**LOCAL TIP: This is a popular trail for hikers, but also downhill mountain bikers, so listen for bells to know when to step out of the way.

** ANOTHER LOCAL TIP: Take a short detour up West Fork Cold Spring Trail to catch a glimpse of Tangerine Falls in the distance.

3. Tangerine Falls "Trail"

I LOVE “hiking” to Tangerine Falls. The only reason I’ve placed it lower on the list is because it’s very dangerous and significantly more challenging than Seven Falls Trail. Tangerine Falls Trail might be one of the most dangerous places for hiking in Santa Barbara if you are not accustomed to route-finding, bushwhacking, scrambling, and literally climbing up waterfalls. Expect to get wet.

The hike is located in an unmaintained area affected by local fires and mudslides. Consequently, there is no discernible trail and there are lots of obstacles. I’d highly recommend some climbing experience on this trail. As a climber (though self-proclaimed unremarkable), I felt fairly comfortable, but rocks did crumble under my feet in precarious places and I was pretty physically exhausted upon returning to my car. Even though the trail is only roughly 2.5 miles out-and-back and you only scramble for 1,500 feet, it took me an hour longer to hike than I thought it would.

Finding Tangerine Falls

Park at Cold Spring Trailhead and start hiking as for Cold Spring Loop Trail. You’ll take a left fork at a creek crossing for West Fork Cold Spring Trail, then continue for a half mile. You’ll be able to spot Tangerine Falls in the distance from this trail. Soon, you’ll take a right at a warning sign and another right soon after to drop down into Montecito Creek. Make a mental note of where to return to the trail, because it was hard for me to find on the way back out. I ended up doubling back twice before I found the trail out of the creek bed. Follow the creek as best as you can for 1,500 feet until you reach the falls.

There are so many picturesque pools and small waterfalls along this creek, so don’t be discouraged if you cannot safely make it the entire way to the main falls. A heavy rain can knock over trees and cause fallen boulders to block the path. It’s always better to turn around before you end up stuck or injured in a place with no cell service.

For a more detailed description of Tangerine Falls Trail, click here!

Returning from Tangerine Falls

If you do manage to find the falls, be sure to save some energy as you rest and enjoy the 100-foot waterfall because your adventure isn’t over. Try to remember the path you took to the falls because will have to climb back down everything you just came up.

4. Cold Spring Loop + Montecito Hot Springs

Although this isn’t an entirely different trail, taking a detour to Montecito Hot Springs from Cold Spring Loop Trail is the perfect way to enjoy a cold winter day after a recent rain. The detour adds about two miles to the hike and over 500 feet of elevation. I’d recommend hiking to Montecito Hot Springs this way because parking at Hot Springs Canyon Trailhead is a nightmare, and this way you get to experience a flowing Montecito Creek and Cold Spring too!

Montecito Hot Springs is one of the most popular options for hiking in Santa Barbara, which means you’ll encounter lots of people, families, pets, and nudity unless you go very early in the morning or late in the evening. This unique spot is a must-do hike in Santa Barbara and despite the crowds, I still really enjoyed taking a dip in the pools.

Hiking to Montecito Hot Springs via Cold Spring Trailhead

I’d recommend beginning Cold Spring Loop Trail as described above (clockwise). After passing the spring and leaving the creek, you’ll come to a hairpin fork to the left that will continue uphill, past a spectacular view, and onto Cold-Hot Springs Connector Trail, an out-and-back trail which will descend straight to the hot springs. There are a lot of different forks along the way, so download an offline map to reference. You can check out my route below.

To return to the car, hike back the way you came until you meet back up with Cold Spring Trail Loop, then complete the loop back downhill to the trailhead.

Final Recommendations for Hiking in Santa Barbara

Hiking in Santa Barbara after rain can be challenging but very rewarding. The views are incredible and the ecosystem is full of life during the rainy season. Flowers begin blooming in early spring and there are plenty of little swimming holes for the warmer days. On the right day, you can feel like you’ve found a little piece of paradise.

However, I can’t stress enough the importance of being situationally aware of the risks around you. Rain makes for a fluid environment that literally shifts under your feet daily. Just because a trail was safe one day, doesn’t mean it remains safe after a strong storm. Make good judgement calls and turn around if you don’t feel safe. Avoid flash floods and never hike up creek beds while it’s raining. Always tell someone where you’re hiking. Bring plenty of water. Give yourself extra time in case the trail is more challenging than expected.

Most importantly, approach these hikes with a positive attitude and healthy sense of adventure! Even if you don’t make it all the way to your destination, take some time to appreciate the natural world around you. Santa Barbara is a special place where humans and nature have coexisted for over 10,000 years. Enioy the journey, and stay safe!