Downtown Santa Barbara isn’t big, but has pretty streets populated by historic buildings, parks, fun shops, and restaurants. One can put together a really nice run downtown, as either standalone or in combination with the nearby waterfront. Rather than a specific route, we recommend using State St. as an anchor, and at the eastern end, the Santa Barbara Mission. It’s 2.5 miles one-way from the Mission to the waterfront, using Garden St. to run by Alice Keck Park Gardens and Park.
There are several interesting buildings and landmarks just off State St. to the north– see the attached map for the ‘red-tiled walking tour’. Enjoy some of the tree-lined side streets as well off State St. as well. For flatter running, use the north-south side streets, as it’s pretty much uphill from the waterfront heading out of town.
Downtown Santa Barbara isn’t big, but has pretty streets populated by historic buildings, parks, fun shops, and restaurants. One can put together a really nice run downtown, as either standalone or in combination with the nearby waterfront. Rather than a specific route, we recommend using State St. as an anchor, and at the eastern end, the Santa Barbara Mission. It’s 2.5 miles one-way from the Mission to the waterfront, using Garden St. to run by Alice Keck Park Gardens and Park.
There are several interesting buildings and landmarks just off State St. to the north– see the attached map for the ‘red-tiled walking tour’. Enjoy some of the tree-lined side streets as well off State St. as well. For flatter running, use the north-south side streets, as it’s pretty much uphill from the waterfront heading out of town.
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Essentials
2.5 miles from the Mission to the waterfront, though you can create your own route
Hilly from the waterfront out of town. Flatter on the north-south streets
The signature Santa Barbara run is between Shoreline Park and East Beach, featuring beaches, marina, piers, parks, palm-lined boulevards, and mountain views. 5 miles one-way, all on paths, with option for 2-mile Montecito Loop.
A lovely run in one of Santa Barbara's toniest residential neighborhoods, located just northwest of downtown. Enjoy this 4-mile loop along tree-shaded streets featuring a range of architectural styles.
The route of a popular 5k event in Santa Barbara, along a great section in a central location, highlighting Shoreline Park, and Leadbetter Beach, just north of the Harbor. Join Nite Moves on Wednesdays in summer if you're in town!
A pleasant, shaded run in one of Santa Barbara's toniest neighborhoods. Lovely homes and beautifully landscaped streets. It's about 5 miles from Highway 101 to the shore along Las Palmas Dr. and Marine Dr.
For an iconic run along a long stretch of beach, look no further than Arroyo Burro Beach County Park — more commonly known as Hendry’s Beach. Feel like California’s Rocky Balboa while sprinting up the steep steps that connect the beach to the return path.
Few college campuses rival UC Santa Barbara in beauty. Follow this loop around the paved lagoon path, with views of the university, and out to Del Playa Bluffs which cruises the cliffs lining the Pacific Ocean.
Run through stands of scented eucalyptus trees with gorgeous views of the volcanic Channel Islands on this nearly 3 mile loop of coastal Goleta. Beach is a good option, and for a longer run add the Obern Trail Bike Path.
A popular paved multi-use path that starts at the UCSB campus and runs through Goleta Beach Park and then along Atascadero Creek. A longer option continues south toward Santa Barbara as a dedicated path along Modoc Rd.
Santa Barbara’s next door neighbor Goleta offers stretches of hard-sand beach, scenic mesa trails, and a butterfly preserve where you can witness thousands of Monarchs wintering in the warm sun.
Enjoyable trail through marshlands with a a bridge crossing and a fun little stone labyrinth. Can combine with a jaunt down to Sandy Point, and/or the trails of Carpinteria Nature Bluffs Preserve, which has 1 mile of trails overlooking the ocean.
Gould Park is 7 miles north of Santa Barbara and has some great trails for running. We've mapped out a rewarding 2 mile run along a paved path to a the Hot Spring, and a more challenging 2 mile Cold Spring Trail Loop.
A challenging trail run into Rattlesnake Canyon Park. We've mapped a 6-mile loop that twists and turns, offering a good introduction to the Santa Ynez Mountains. Enjoy the Botanical Gardens as part of the run.
Lush groves of oaks and sycamores, valley views, and a series of climbs and drops in the mountains above the Summerland neighborhood. The trails can be spliced together for a killer 9+ mile run, but we’ve mapped a more manageable 5.5 mile loop.
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Essentials
2.5 miles from the Mission to the waterfront, though you can create your own route
Hilly from the waterfront out of town. Flatter on the north-south streets
There are several interesting buildings and landmarks just off State St. to the north– see the attached map for the ‘red-tiled walking tour’. Enjoy some of the tree-lined side streets as well off State St. as well. For flatter running, use the north-south side streets, as it’s pretty much uphill from the waterfront heading out of town.
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!