Goleta, California

The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Goleta, California offer a variety of scenic and engaging options. One of the top must-visit trails is the Gaviota Peak Trail. This 6.5-mile round trip trail is rated as moderate in difficulty and features a hot spring and panoramic views from the summit. Another popular trail is the Ellwood Bluffs Trail, known for its stunning ocean views and access to a butterfly preserve. For those interested in bird watching and picnicking, the Lake Los Carneros Park is a great choice. The park features a large lake, walking paths, and a historic train depot. Nearby, the Goleta Beach Park offers sandy beaches, fishing pier, and barbecue grills. These outdoor adventures provide a unique and fun way to explore Goleta and its natural beauty.

Top Spots in and near Goleta

  • Santa Barbara, California

    Paraglide at Elings Park

    Santa Barbara is known for its incredible terrain. Paragliding at Elings Park is an amazing way to take in the gorgeous local scenery from an entirely new perspective. You’ll get your blood and adrenaline pumping as you challenge yourself to try something new under the watchful, expert eyes of th...
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  • Santa Barbara, California

    Hike to Knapp's Castle

    4.2
    0.8 mi
    One 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...
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  • Santa Barbara, California

    Inspiration Point

    4.0
    3.82 mi / 1109 ft gain
    Hike up the 3.5 mile trail to an unbeatable vista that will leave you smiling! This hike has a steady uphill climb from the trailhead off of Tunnel Rd into Los Padres National Forest. Keep in mind this trail can get pretty crowded on weekends, so you're best to be at the trail early in the mornin...
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  • Santa Barbara, California

    La Cumbre Peak via Tunnel Trail

    9.96 mi / 3310 ft gain
    Tunnel Trail is a great way to get to the top of La Cumbre Peak. You get to the trailhead by taking Tunnel Road until it dead ends at a large water tower, there you can park your car and start on foot. You take Spyglass Ridge Road up which is a paved fire road until it becomes dirt when you get o...
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  • Santa Barbara, California

    Red Rock Pools

    0.89 mi / 10 ft gain
    Red Rock Pools is a relatively popular swimming hole located along the Santa Ynez River about an hour outside of Santa Barbara, California. The trail to the swimming hole is relatively short, but more pools can be found if you follow the Gibraltar Trail down to the Gibraltar Dam (an additional ...
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  • Montecito, California

    Cold Spring Trail Loop

    5.0
    2.67 mi / 883 ft gain
    Cold Spring Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Santa Barbara, California.
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  • Montecito, California

    Tangerine Falls

    4.5
    1.15 mi / 886 ft gain
    This waterfall can be fairly dry during the year, so keep your eyes out for a recent rainstorm to get things going. When you start the hike on East Folk Trail, at 0.25 miles, cross over the creek and join West Fork Trail. A little over another half mile, West Fork starts to head uphill, but you c...
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  • Montecito, California

    West Fork of Cold Spring Trail

    3.45 mi / 1135 ft gain
    If you love the mountains above Santa Barbara but hate the crowds, stick to the canyon trails on the east side. The trails running up Cold Spring canyon offer a variety of experiences without all the noise. To find the West Fork of Cold Spring Trail, take the Olive Mill Rd. exit from the 101 fre...
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  • Montecito, California

    Saddle Rock Loop

    4.0
    3.37 mi / 984 ft gain
    Begin at the trailhead in the parking area on E. Valley Road. You'll gain some elevation (don't forget your water). You'll know when you arrive at Saddle Rock--you can't miss this conspicuous rock formation. Enjoy the sights from here. If you plan carefully and hike up on a clear day, you may eve...
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  • Goleta, California

    Camp at El Capitan Canyon

    5.0
    El Capitan Canyon is a gorgeous collection of permanent tents, yurts and cabins located across the highway from El Capitan State Beach and its campground. It's also the perfect place to ease your friends or loved ones into the world of camping. We all have that special person in our life who we'...
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  • Santa Barbara, California

    Camp at Lake Cachuma

    The campground here is extremely well developed and tightly run (for better or worse). The sites afford very little privacy: I recommend looking for the "Prime" campsites along the bluff, or choosing a weekday. If you can afford to spend a little extra, the park offers yurt rentals, which have th...
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  • Carpinteria, California

    Camp at Carpinteria State Beach

    3.7
    There are 2 campgrounds close to Rincón, but Carpinteria State Beach is a little bigger and easier to find a spot. There are 4 campgrounds: Santa Cruz, Anacapa, San Miguel and Santa Rosa. Most of them are RV sites, but if you stay at Santa Cruz Campground you can set your tent right at the beach,...
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  • Rincon Point, California

    Surf Rincon Point

    5.0
    A cobblestone rocks cover a crescent shaped bay and a creek mouth spreads sand perfectly along the bay after a winter rain. Not to mention the indicator that refracts waves into the inside cove. It's no wonder famous surfers, such as Kelly Slater, Bobby Martinez, Tom Curren, Connor and Parker Cof...
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  • Gaviota, California

    Nojoqui Falls

    4.5
    0.84 mi / 328 ft gain
    Unfortunately, the falls have been inaccessible for a while due to dangerous conditions from a mudslide. Contact the County of Santa Barbara Parks Division for more information. The falls are a great daytime getaway. Granted it's a quick, short hike, so you won't get the same workout or sweat go...
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  • Gaviota, California

    Camp at Gaviota State Park

    3.5
    About 30 miles north of Santa Barbara on the 101 is a small state beach in the 90 person town of Gaviota. Most people pass right on through to San Luis Obispo or don't even make it past Goleta, but this gem is worth checking out either for a day trip or to camp for the weekend.Since it is a state...
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  • Gaviota, California

    Gaviota Wind Caves

    5.0
    2.37 mi / 577 ft gain
    Caves and epic views...need I say more?! That's what you'll encounter on this short 2.5 mile out and back hike to the Gaviota Wind Caves in the San Ynez Mountains, West of Santa Barbara. The Gaviota Wind Caves are a sandstone formation located 1 mile from the Pacific Ocean. One good thing about t...
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Camping and Lodging in Goleta

Sage Hill
Snyder Trail

Sage Hill

Paradise Campground
Santa Barbara, California

Paradise Campground

Los Prietos
Santa Barbara, California

Los Prietos

Fremont Campground
Santa Barbara, California

Fremont Campground

Santa Cruz Scorpion
Smugglers Road

Santa Cruz Scorpion

Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry
Ventura, California

Santa Cruz Del Norte Backcountry

Guides, Insights and Stories from Goleta

West Coast Roadtrip down Highway 101

West Coast Roadtrip down Highway 101

Michael Fricke

The Galapagos of California

The Galapagos of California

Kyle Frost

Boats, Backpacks and Booze: Why You Should Try Island Backpacking

Boats, Backpacks and Booze: Why You Should Try Island Backpacking

Kristen Fuller

11 Photos That Will Make You Want to Hike Channel Islands National Park

11 Photos That Will Make You Want to Hike Channel Islands National Park

Katie Y

One Ideal Day on Santa Cruz Island

One Ideal Day on Santa Cruz Island

Leigh Maneri

By Land & Sea: 72 Hours in Ventura, California

By Land & Sea: 72 Hours in Ventura, California

Josiah Roe