Casey Carnow
Contributing Writer
As a student at UC Santa Barbara, I find it easy to associate Santa Barbara with stress and hard work. Between studying for hours in the Davidson Library fluorescent lighting, sitting through 75-minute lectures in Campbell Hall, and biking from one extracurricular meeting to another, we don’t have much time to take in the natural beauty of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean surrounding us.
Students tend to take on heavier workloads in winter quarter, making it all the more important to take time to unwind. One of the best ways to destress is by immersing yourself in nature. A study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine argues that hiking reaps immediate health benefits, such as “decreased stress levels, enhanced immune system functioning, and restored attention,” all of which are vital during a stressful academic period. Also, the immune boost can’t hurt as we sit in lectures with everyone around us coughing. It is flu season, after all.
Here is a short list of some of the best hikes that the greater Santa Barbara area has to offer, with honest reviews and advice.
Hot Springs Canyon Trail
One of the most talked-about hikes in the area, the Hot Springs Canyon Trail never fails to amaze students. The beautiful scenery begins the moment you set foot on the trail and culminates with the relaxing hot springs. Do not hesitate to go into the hot springs and fully immerse yourself in the experience.
Be warned that the hike requires some moderate rock-scrambling, so wear well-fitting shoes with traction. I have done this hike several times with hikers of all experience levels, and everyone was able to finish the hike and enjoy every moment along the way.
All hot springs naturally omit hydrogen sulfide gas, so about 75 percent of the way up the trail, you will start to smell sulfur. The smell doesn’t last long and it is completely normal. Do not let this deter you from continuing the hike. The smell signifies the healing properties that are in the hot springs, which can help improve metabolism and skin irritation.
Also, about 90 percent of the way through the hike, you will come across a creek to your left and a path that continues straight ahead. Turn left and cross the creek to continue on the trail on the other side. This will take you to the hot springs!
Tangerine Falls
My favorite hike, Tangerine Falls, has options for everyone, and they all lead to an awe-inspiring waterfall. You can either follow the trail, which becomes steep at times, but is accessible to all skill and experience levels, or you can climb up the rocks along the creek. You will have to use your hands to navigate the terrain or sit and slide down boulders at times.
Tangerine Falls has a lot of direct sunlight, so it is recommended to go early in the morning and bring sunscreen and water. The hike ends at a beautiful pond under a waterfall: perfect for a cold plunge to cool off before heading back down the trail. I recommend wearing Keens or some other type of waterproof hiking shoes so you can move through the water and across the rocks without worry.
There is not a lot of signage along the trail, so I recommend downloading AllTrails and following the directions it provides for you. As long as you stay along the creek, you will end up at the waterfall.
Lizard’s Mouth
Renowned for its incredible sunset views, Lizard’s Mouth is breathtaking. Once you reach the viewpoint, there are dozens of large boulders to sit on and take in the sunset, while overlooking all of Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean.
Don’t let the opportunity for beautiful photos at the end fool you — it is still very much a hike! Though it is only 0.6 miles in length out and back, it requires climbing boulders, scrambling, and signage is extremely limited. Unless you are an experienced hiker, I would not recommend making this hike in a non-athletic outfit or shoes, even though you may want to for the photo-op.
Note: Wear shoes with a lot of traction and, if you are hiking for sunset, be diligent in checking the time once you reach Lizard’s Mouth viewpoint. Make sure you begin your trek back while there is still sunlight. Navigating the trail in the dark can be scary, especially if you are not a frequent hiker or are not familiar with the trail.
Inspiration Point Trailhead
Home to countless beautiful trails with lots of direct sunlight and a variety of scenery, Inspiration Point Trailhead is a great place to hike if you do not have a specific destination in mind. The dirt roads leading to the trailhead look like something out of the Italian Dolomites and make for an excellent warm-up and cool-down for the hike. Once you reach the trailhead, signage indicates where each trail goes. Some of the destinations and landmarks along the trail include Inspiration Point Viewpoint and Seven Falls Waterfalls.
With dozens of trails, hikers of any skill level can find a desirable hike at Inspiration Point Trailhead, and each hiker can decide to turn around and head back down any path at any moment.
Note: Be aware, that once you begin the trail, the path is not well-marked, and the trail is slightly overgrown, especially since Seven Falls was under construction for several months and has only recently reopened. The hike to Inspiration Point requires some rock scrambling, and hikers may need to use their hands to hoist themselves up onto boulders.
Note: If you are planning on rock climbing the Seven Falls (which is not recommended for inexperienced hikers), be aware that there is a rope to propel yourself down a slope to reach the falls, and may require a weight transfer from the rope to the boulder. Not recommended for those afraid of heights.
