The Best Backpacking in Goleta

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 freew...

From Santa Ynez, CA take Armour Rd until it hits Happy Canyon Rd, and make a left. Follow this scenic drive through vineyards and oak shaded pastures into the Angeles National Forest. A half-mile section of asphalt is rough from winter storms, so drive slow. The road becomes Sunset Valley Rd and ...

I was looking for a last minute adventure out of LA and found this epic view.  Easy backpacking trip for one night, no permits needed, less than 3.5 hours from LA, and secluded.  Go to REI and pick up your adventure pass for your car. Plug into your GPS "Davy Brown Campground" in Los Olivos / Los...

Manzana Creek and Eastern Hurricane Deck Loop is a loop trail where you may see wildflowers located near Los Olivos, California.

Manzanita Creek Trail to Dabney Cabin is an out-and-back trail that is moderately difficult located near Los Olivos, California.

Manzana Schoolhouse via Manzana Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Los Olivos, California.

...If you've read most of my blogs, you'll probably notice I have a fascination for waterfalls! I've done this hike multiple times, but it wasn't until this day where I saw these falls truly in action and what they're meant to look like. Getting here, you'll drive 13.4 miles north on highway 33 f...

Cueva Valdez to Arch Rock Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Ventura, California.

To get to Santa Cruz Island you will need to book a ferry with Island Packers.  On their website you can only  book roundtrip tickets in and out of the same location so for this trip you will need to call and book a ferry in to Prisoner's Harbor and out of Scorpion Anchorage. You can call them at...

Del Norte and Montanon Trail to Scorpion Campground is a point-to-point trail with scenic views of the Pacific Ocean located in Channel Islands National Park, California.

Deal Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Ojai, California.

Santa Barbara Canyon to Big Pine Mountain is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near New Cuyama, California.

This adventure is not for the inexperienced. There is a campground on each of the Channel Islands and even camping at Water Canyon on Santa Rosa Island is moderately difficult, especially in the summer. The payoff is one unlike any other on the West Coast. It is an opportunity to backcountry pack...

The trail is open year-round and offers the chance to see incredible ocean views and wildlife. Occasionally, water is available at Clap Springs (a detour off Wreck Road by a couple of miles). Bring all the water you need to drink and cook - recommended 4 liters per day drinking minimum. 

The trail will take you through Lobo Canyon and onto a rocky coast. There are great picnic spots all along this rocky cliff. Rock formations line the trail. You can backcountry camp on the beach at the end of the trail, or head back to the trailhead. This trail is open year-round. In the spring, ...

One could a lifetime exploring, and attempting to describe, the beauty of the Channel Islands National Park and Santa Rosa Island in particular: its wildly diverse terrain, endemic flora and fauna, and also the only of the Islands to allow backcountry beach camping. While the opportunities for di...