Find the top rated running trails in Santa Barbara, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I’ve been riding this trail a couple times a week since I found it. With very few interruptions or vehicle crossings, this is a great trail for settling in and peddling away.
I started at the Foster Park trailhead. At least on a Wednesday afternoon there was plenty of parking under the bridge just before you get to the trailhead. I was on an ebike and it was an easy uphill cruise, with a gentle slope, all the way to Ojai. When reaching Ojai I would recommend turning around at Montgomery Street. Trail gets pretty junky for the few hundred yards after that. Few
I absolutely love this ride!! It was invigorating to have the ocean on side and the fwy on the other. And I didn’t notice the freeway noise—I was so enchanted with the scenery. It’s a must with the kids. Pack a lunch.and enjoy it on the sand
I did this ride with my girls, 14 and 10 years of age, —very doable. The incline is slow and gradual so it’s easy to take in the beautiful scenery around. We enjoyed it.
Lots of pedestrians and heavy traffic that slows down the ride to make it a casual ride; however the scenery is beautiful with the coastal views. To increase speed would recommend an early morning ride. The road is a mix of pavement and a few bumpy areas, predominantly flat for an easy ride. Would increase the star level if it were more strenuous, a longer ride, and traffic was better managed. Thank you for this trail.
This is one of my favorite bike paths. The white fencing outlines this path well and the gentle slopes make it a fun ride. The surrounding mountains and hillsides are gorgeous just before sunset. Ample parking and restrooms at the southern end of the trail in Pleasant Valley Fields.
Trail runs along 101 highway in between mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Beautiful view while pumping adrenaline rush of riding next to speeding cars.
This is one of our favorite rides that we have done a number of times over the years when vacationing in the Ventura area. We've always ridden this trail in the summer when inland temps are sizzling, but you can count on cool, refreshing breezes and beautiful ocean and coastal views on this easy trail.
The official trail from San Buenaventura State Beach to Emma Wood State Beach is only 4.1 miles long which is why we extend it. Don't stop at Emma Wood! Continue north on Pacific Coast Highway. I know, you have to ride on the road with only a white stripe to separate you from the motor vehicles, but it seems like the only traffic is the occasional lumbering RV slowly headed to their campsite along PCH. If you take my advice, you'll definitely burn more calories and be rewarded with spectacular views of the Pacific, gawk at multi-million dollar beachfront homes, and envy relaxed vacationers enjoying their RV's.
This trail is worth exploring if you want to venture into the neighborhoods of Goleta. It must be especially awesome for the residents of Goleta to be able to jump on their bikes and head to the beach or UCSB via this path and the Obern Trail!
If you ride this trail, do it in conjunction with the Goleta Beach Trail or Maria Ygnacio Bike Path since it's so short. The locals must love this since for the most part it's quiet, away from roads, and leads to the beach. It seems ideal for the neighborhoods that back up to it for the last couple of miles. If I lived there I'd probably be on it most every day headed for the beach!
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