Outbound Collective logo

Santa Barbara, California

Looking for the best photography in Santa Barbara? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Santa Barbara. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Photography Spots in and near Santa Barbara

  • 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...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • 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'...
    Read more
  • Ojai, California

    Matilija Falls

    5.0
    8.6 mi / 0 ft gain
    Note: This trail is temporarily closed. For more updates, please visit the Forest Service website for more updates.  ...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 ...
    Read more
  • Ojai, California

    Camp at Rose Valley

    5.0
    Close to Ventura and Ojai, California, this spot is an easy weekend getaway from the hectic coast of Ventura. Follow Highway 33 east toward Ojai. This road will lead into the Los Padres National Forest and become very curved and sleep as it gets closer to Rose Valley. The sign for the Park with b...
    Read more
  • Emma Wood State Beach, California

    Surf Emma Wood State Beach

    3.0
    Park your car along the famous Pacific Coast Highway and watch the waves roll in. Go out surfing, kiteboarding, swimming, or kayaking. Emma Wood State Beach is a fairly exposed beach and reef break that has reliable surf. Summer offers the most-favored conditions for surfing.  Both breaks get cro...
    Read more
  • Ventura, California

    Bike the Sulphur Mountain Loop

    28.6 mi / 2884 ft gain
    The Sulphur Mountain Loop is a 28 mile cycling and mountain biking loop that begins in Ventura Canyon at the Sulphur Mountain Trailhead and loops through Ojai Valley. Beginning at the Sulphur Mountain Road trailhead off Highway 33, follow the road up and over Sulphur Mountain and down until it co...
    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
  • Los Olivos, California

    Backpack Zaca Ridge

    5.0
    7.32 mi / 2077 ft gain
    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 ...
    Read more
  • Ventura, California

    Bike the Ventura River and Ojai Bike Trails

    32.6 mi / 1030 ft gain
    The Ventura River and Ojai Valley Trail, effectively the same trail, is a gorgeous 32 mile trail that runs from Seaside Park in Ventura to downtown Ojai. It runs along and across the Ventura River and through the Ventura Canyon, with views up and down numerous side canyons and ravines. The trail ...
    Read more
  • 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
  • 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
  • Ventura, California

    Bike the Rincon Trail

    5.0
    28.4 mi / 720 ft gain
    The 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