These are some of the trails/hikes around Santa Barbara. The order does not indicate a particular preference.
1. Stevens Park - N. Ontare
Simple Hike, narrow trail but no valley - (2.6 miles out and back (roundtrip), 400 ft elevation,) - Most part has tree shade.
Continue the same trail from N. Ontare to Northridge (Additional 1.2 miles out and back 700 ft elevation)
Both these trails are also accessible from Jesusita Trail Head reducing the distance to half.
Directions from Stevens Park - https://bit.ly/3108yfN
Directions from
Jesusita Trail Head - https://bit.ly/310wkYZ
2. San Antonio Creek Trail - Hwy 154
Simple walking wider trail (3 miles out and back 300 ft elevation) - Most part has tree shade.
Directions - https://bit.ly/2P7MOck
3. Cold Spring Trail
Moderate Hike with good change of terrain (hill, creek) (Though it is long one can decide to return from any point till there is good tree shade). 750 ft elevation. Narrow trail. Better to have 2 people.
Direction - https://bit.ly/2P84wg4
4. San Marcos Foothill Preserve
Simple hike wider trail (3.2 miles out and back 250 ft elevation. No Tree cover at all. Grassland terrain.
Directions - https://bit.ly/3i0D2p5
5. Douglas Family Preserve
Walking Trail system on a hilltop by the ocean. Wider trails. No hike. Good for a day picnic.
Directions - https://bit.ly/2Pdcap7
6. Arroyo Burro Hike
Hard, steep, best to test stamina (11.2 miles out and back 3000 ft elevation) and best of the list. Start early (7am) to avoid trekking in dark on the way back. At times one may feel lost after about 300 feet downhill, but the fun begins from there with the forest cover. Sudden cooling at some spots makes one realize the importance of trees and streams. Recent rains have activated the streams.
Directions from Jesusita Trail Head - https://bit.ly/381aNnK
