A bird sitting on a nest of eggs.

Hiking Near Isla Vista, California

Regional Classics Icon

Regional Classics

Discover the must-do hikes in the area, handpicked and curated by local experts who know the trails best. These routes are beloved for good reason, offering standout scenery, rewarding terrain, and detailed descriptions with tips that tell you exactly what to expect. Whether you are visiting for the first time or are a local doing them on repeat, they offer a reliable and memorable hiking experience.

Grass Mountain Trail

Classic Hike Route

Grass Mountain Trail

Family Friendly
strenuous
4.58 mi
+2,519 ft
Santa Cruz Traverse

Classic Hike Route

Santa Cruz Traverse

Birding
strenuous
12.99 mi
+2,757 ft
Potato Harbor Loop

Classic Hike Route

Potato Harbor Loop

Birding
moderate
4.77 mi
+564 ft
Shorter Routes icon

Shorter Routes

These hikes keep it under 5 miles and climb less than 1,500 feet, making them ideal for quicker outings or lower-key days. Perfect for a morning stretch, a casual afternoon, or getting outside without committing to a big push. Don’t let the stats fool you — many still pack in great views and rewarding moments.

Campus Beach Loop

Hike Route

Campus Beach Loop

Family Friendly
moderate
2.43 mi
+113 ft
Santa Barbara Shores Loop

Hike Route

Santa Barbara Shores Loop

Views
moderate
2.85 mi
+102 ft
More Mesa Beach

Hike Route

More Mesa Beach

Swimming
moderate
1.16 mi
+104 ft
Thousand Steps to Mesa Lane

Hike Route

Thousand Steps to Mesa Lane

Swimming
easy
3.86 mi
+335 ft
Douglas Family Preserve Loop

Hike Route

Douglas Family Preserve Loop

River/Creek
moderate
1.88 mi
+194 ft
Inspiration Point

Hike Route

Inspiration Point

Dogs Allowed
easy
1.79 mi
+971 ft
Logo

Adventurous Routes

These routes go beyond 10 miles and are built for days when you want to cover more ground and push a little deeper. Expect longer distances, more effort, and bigger payoffs — whether that’s remote terrain, summit views, or a full-day challenge. Ideal for hikers looking to go farther and stay out longer.

Cold Spring Loop

Hike Route

Cold Spring Loop

Views
extreme
29.6 mi
+9,234 ft
Little Pine Mountain via Santa Cruz Trail

Hike Route

Little Pine Mountain via Santa Cruz Trail

Commonly Backpacked
strenuous
11.71 mi
+3,587 ft
Cold Spring Backpacking

Hike Route

Cold Spring Backpacking

Commonly Backpacked
strenuous
15.29 mi
+5,046 ft
Santa Ynez Mountains Loop

Hike Route

Santa Ynez Mountains Loop

Views
extreme
26.51 mi
+6,916 ft
Romero Canyon

Hike Route

Romero Canyon

Views
extreme
10.01 mi
+2,499 ft
Romero/Caliente Loop

Hike Route

Romero/Caliente Loop

extreme
26.87 mi
+5,812 ft

Other Nearby Routes

Not finding what you're looking for? These additional nearby hikes offer more ways to get outside and explore the area. With a mix of lengths, difficulty levels, and terrain, you're likely to find something that fits your plans for the day. And remember, you can always use the onX Route Builder to create your own adventure from scratch.

Jesusita to Inspiration Point

Hike Route

Jesusita to Inspiration Point

Birding
strenuous
6.94 mi
+1,982 ft
ACLCT Loop

Hike Route

ACLCT Loop

Cave
strenuous
8.4 mi
+3,903 ft
El Capitan to Refugio State Beach

Hike Route

El Capitan to Refugio State Beach

River/Creek
easy
5.53 mi
+204 ft
Montecito Peak

Hike Route

Montecito Peak

River/Creek
strenuous
6.95 mi
+2,556 ft
Montecito Connections Loop

Hike Route

Montecito Connections Loop

River/Creek
moderate
5.14 mi
+1,725 ft
Romero Canyon Out-and-Back

Hike Route

Romero Canyon Out-and-Back

River/Creek
strenuous
5.64 mi
+2,263 ft