Carpinteria, California
The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Carpinteria, California, offer scenic outdoor adventures that are a must-visit. The Franklin Trail is a top choice for hikers, with its moderate difficulty level, and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Ynez Mountains. Along the trail, you'll pass through lush avocado orchards, and spot various bird species. For a more relaxed activity, visit Carpinteria State Beach, known for its tide pools and seal rookery. For those interested in history, the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History provides an outdoor walking tour of the town's historical sites. Lastly, the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve offers a unique opportunity to explore a coastal estuary. These attractions make Carpinteria a great destination for outdoor adventures.
Top Spots in and near Carpinteria
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Ventura, California
Kiteboard Surfer's Point
Surfer's Point aka Ventura Point is a well-known kite boarding/surfing (and surfing) spot due to its (when conditions are right) great wave quality, favorable wind direction (sideshore with occasional side-off), friendly locals, rider capacity, and a nearby point break with. When conditions are e...Read more -
Ventura, California
Bike the Lake Casitas Loop
1.048.9 mi / 3635 ft gainThe Lake Casitas Loop s a fantastic cycling trail leading from Ventura, California through Ventura Canyon, around Lake Casitas and up over Casitas Pass, down through Rincon Canyon to the ocean and south on Rincon Trail back to Ventura. It covers almost all of the ecological zones and topographica...Read more -
Ventura, California
Bike the Rincon Trail
5.028.4 mi / 720 ft gainThe Rincon Trail between Ventura and Santa Barbara is part of the wonderful Pacific Coast Bike Route, and features two-wave paved cycling lanes with beautiful views up and down the central coast. There are numerous places to stop along the way for food and relaxing, including the great seaside to...Read more -
Ventura, California
Bike the Ventura, Santa Paula, and Ojai Loop
48.8 mi / 2081 ft gainThe Ventura - Ojai - Santa Paul loop is a classic half-century loop throughs some of the most beautiful cycling roads on the Central Coast. Beginning in Ventura and heading on the off-road (but paved) Ventura / Ojai trails, this loop then heads into downtown Ojai before following Ojai Valley Road...Read more -
Ventura, California
Surf Ventura Point
4.0Surfer’s Point, off Figueroa Street, includes one of California’s premier surfing and windsurfing spots. A landscaped promenade and the Omer Rains Bike Trail connect this sandy beach to the Ventura Pier. Promenade Park, next to the beach commemorates the site of an ancient Chumash village. Beach ...Read more -
Ventura, California
Bike the Ventura Promenade
0.5 mi / 0 ft gainThe Ventura Promenade is a .5 mile long biking and walking trail that runs from the Ventura Pier to Sufer's Point, eventually connecting to the Ventura River & Ojai Bike Trail. It is also part of the the larger "Omer Rains Trail" which runs some 3.5 miles to the south through Buenaventura Sta...Read more -
Ojai, California
Climb at Wheeler Gorge
Grab a dozen quick draws, your 60m rope, and head up Highway 33 out of Ojai for 7 miles (One of the routes here describes the crag perfectly, a Riparian Daydream). Drive through one tunnel, and continue on for another mile or two until you reach two tunnels in quick succession. The crag is in bet...Read more -
Ojai, California
Rock Climb at Foothill Crag
2 miFrom downtown Ojai, head north on N Signal Street. Head up the hill and turn left onto a gravel road next to a chainlink fence once you get to the top.(There should be a sign that points to "Pratt/Foothill Trailhead.") Continue past a water tank on the right to a trailhead parking area. I've gon...Read more -
Ojai, California
Couch Rock
3.51.3 mi / 627 ft gainDriving up Gridley Road away from Ojai you’ll come upon a small parking lot on your left and a gate barring the way to a dirt road. Park here, as close to the mountainside as possible and head onto the trail. Follow the trail until you see pass a bench, and start heading downhill. Keep your eye...Read more -
Ventura, California
Stand Up Paddleboard the Ventura Harbor
The Ventura Harbor provides a protected entry/exit to the Pacific Ocean and is a great place to start a paddleboarding adventure. Marina Park, at the end of Pierpont Boulevard, has a ton of parking, a free public launch, and there are boards to rent along the harbor. From the launch you can head...Read more -
Santa Barbara, California
Hike to Knapp's Castle
4.20.8 miOne of the many hidden gems near Santa Barbara, Knapp's Castle is an abandoned home built in 1916 by George Knapp. Finding the trailhead can be difficult because it's not clearly marked and the road it's starts from is long, winding and narrow. Coming from the 154, turn right on East Camino Cielo...Read more -
Ventura, California
Backpack to Del Norte Campground on Santa Cruz Island
5.07 mi / 700 ft gainDel Norte Backcountry Campground is located on Santa Cruz Island, one of the islands that makes up Channel Islands National Park. It is California's largest island and is almost three times the size of Manhattan. The easiest way to get to the island is to take Island Packers, a ferry service that...Read more -
Ojai, California
Camp at Dennison Park in Ojai Valley
Great little campsite very close to the town of Ojai. My discovery of this gem was totally coincidental. I was trying to book a hotel room in Ojai; however, that particular weekend all the rooms that were within my budget were sold out. Instead of giving up, I looked for alternative options and ...Read more -
Ventura, California
Hike Arroyo Verde Park
3.5 mi / 800 ft gainArroyo Verde Park is a small parked tucked in the hills above Ventura, California, and has a network of trails running up and down the hills surrounding the valley in the center of the park. The entrance to the park is at the intersection of Foothill Road Day Road, east of downtown Ventura. There...Read more -
Maricopa, California
Potrero John Trail
5.03.51 mi / 627 ft gainThe Potrero John Trail is only 1.75 miles one-way, and is mostly used for hiking. It is right off Highway 33- driving north on the 33, the trailhead is on the right side of the street, right after the Potrero John Bridge (parking is fairly limited so the earlier you get there the better). There ...Read more -
Maricopa, California
Camp and Boulder at Pine Mountain
Pine Mountain is closed intermittently for the winter season due to snowfall, usually from November through February. Outside of those months, take the Highway 33 north out of Ojai, heading north for about an hour and a half. You’ll see a large turnout as well as a sign reading “Pine Mt Road” on ...Read more
