Parma Park — West

An excellent area to bring kids for their first hike. Close to the city yet a very remote feeling. There are trails leading in a variety of directions, making it possible to take a short hike or combine sections to create a 3-4 mile hike. The canyon section is covered by a beautiful oak forest. It is possible to create a 2.5 mile loop by walking along a short stretch of Mountain Drive. TRAIL...
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Toro Canyon

TRAIL INFORMATION Distance: 1 mile Elevation Gain: 300 feet to end of the top of the knoll where a small gazebo is located Difficulty: Easy Topo: Carpinteria HIGHLIGHTS Though the hike is short hike and doesn’t really head up into wild country, I can’t say enough about this little known county park. It is a great place for families to take their children for the afternoon. The setting is...
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Romero Canyon

TRAIL INFORMATION Distance: 3 miles up the trail to its intersection with Romero Road; 4 miles to the top of the trail; 1.5 miles road distance from the intersection to Romero Saddle Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet to intersection with Romero Road; 2175 feet to the top of the trail; 2,000 feet to Romero Saddle Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous Topo: Carpinteria (the trail isn’t on the...
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San Ysidro Trail

TRAIL INFORMATION Distance: 1.75 miles to the end of the canyon section; 4.5 miles to Camino Cielo    Elevation Gain: 2,970 feet   Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous depending on distance   Topo: Santa Barbara and Carpinteria    RECREATIONAL MAP SERIES: Map No. 2—Santa Barbara Front Country—Trail #8 HIGHLIGHTS Though at first the trail winds past a home and then follows a graded dirt...
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Cold Springs East Fork

TRAIL INFORMATION Distance: 0.75 mile to pools; 1.5 miles to Montecito Overlook; 3.5 miles to Montecito Peak; 4.5 miles to Camino Cielo Elevation Gain: 2,675 feet to crest Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous depending on distance Topo: Santa Barbara RECREATIONAL MAP SERIES: Map No. 2—Santa Barbara Front Country—Trail #6 HIGHLIGHTS This is absolutely my very favorite trail. Within a few yards of...
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San Antonio Creek

TRAIL INFORMATION Distance: 1.5 miles Elevation Gain: 148 feet to intersection with Highway 154 Difficulty: Easy Topo: Santa Barbara HIGHLIGHTS Though this is a relatively short hike and isn’t terribly primitive, it is a wonderful place to take children. Tucker’s Grove is perfect for a picnic, and it has the best playground equipment for kids anywhere in Santa Barbara. The hike is level so...
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