The best MTB trails in Santa Barbara County

Although this hike starts in a residential neighborhood, it quickly heads up into the hills to provide positively inspiring — get it? — views of the Santa Barbara coastline. The trail is rocky, so it's not boring — and even with a little shade in the steepest parts of the trail, you may want to save this one for a cooler part of the day.

Figueroa Mountain is a spectacular summit, offering panoramic views of the Santa Ynez Valley and the San Rafael Wilderness, dotted with beautiful wildflowers and oak trees. It's a popular recreation area for hiking, camping, and mountain biking, equipped with its own dedicated campground, picnic area, and restrooms. It's well worth the trip to get here, and a great opportunity to capture incredible photos while you take a break during your ride.

Ranger Peak stands at 1,376 meters and boasts beautiful bright green slopes adorned with wildflowers surrounded by open meadows and scattered oak trees. There is a trail leading to the summit on the south side, accessible from Figueroa Road. If you're seeking an extended adventure, the view of Figueroa Mountain and beyond from the top is truly incredible.

This is an epic road to ride on. By no means an easy one, but the sweeping views of the San Rafael Wilderness Area make up for the effort.

This popular multi-use trail for hikers, runners, and cyclists is maintained by SAGE Trail Alliance, a nonprofit funded by donations. The route starts as a fire road, then quickly shifts to a single track due to overgrowth, with a smooth climb and fantastic views. The trail is excellent for beginners, although intermediate and advanced riders may prefer using the single track for a fast descent; however, the trail is heavily trafficked, so please refrain from racing down the fire road. Riders must use a bell, which is available for free at bell boxes in the parking area.

This trail is a rocky and technically challenging singletrack that winds along and crosses Romero Creek. You can tackle it as a short loop by climbing the Romero Fire Road, or you can choose a longer adventure that includes the Upper Romero singletrack. The path is both fast and flowing, but watch out for the technical rock gardens that pop up along the way. A beautiful grove of gnarled oak trees lines this section, so be prepared to make quick decisions about your route!

The Camuesa Connector Trail is a fantastic route from Big Pine/Buckhorn Road to Paradise Road along the Santa Ynez River and is a great ride the entire way. After a short descent, the trail levels off before climbing with several switchbacks. While all turns are rideable, it may be best to walk a few, even by intermediate riders. The real fun begins on the descent toward the river, with smooth sections, tight turns, and rocky areas where you’ll reach the riverbed after an exposed rocky section. This crossing varies, but is usually shallow.

Ranger Peak stands at 1,376 meters and boasts beautiful bright green slopes adorned with wildflowers surrounded by open meadows and scattered oak trees. There is a trail leading to the summit on the south side, accessible from Figueroa Road. If you're seeking an extended adventure, the view of Figueroa Mountain and beyond from the top is truly incredible.