Lace up your sneakers for Santa Barbara running routes that range from scenic cruises past the city’s top attractions to challenging canyon climbs and waterfront multiuse paths. From a quick 3-mile run before breakfast to endurance sessions for the Santa Barbara Half Marathon, these popular dirt and paved routes take you beyond the treadmill and to the edge of the Pacific, where the misty ocean air clears your body and mind.
Short & Mid-Distance Runs (Up to 5 Miles)
Ellwood Mesa Trail System
Located 15 minutes west of downtown Santa Barbara in Goleta, the Ellwood Mesa Trail System pairs eucalyptus groves with sweeping coastal bluffs. Settle your stride onto soft dirt that leads to the big blue, where dramatic bluff-top vistas make it easy to lower your heart rate and enjoy the sights. Ellwood Mesa is an ideal spot for a quick workout that doesn’t sacrifice scenery, especially in winter when the shaded canopy is filled with overwintering monarch butterflies residing in the Coronado Butterfly Preserve.
Distance: Try this 1-mile loop with lots of options to add mileage.
Elevation: Mostly flat
Trailhead: 7729 Hollister Ave., Goleta; directly across from Ellwood Elementary School.
Pro Tip: Take a steep side path down to the beach for a barefoot cool-down on the shore.
More Mesa
Tucked along the coastal cliffs west of Hope Ranch — just a 10-minute drive west of downtown Santa Barbara along Highway 101 — More Mesa is a hidden coastal sanctuary where joggers, birdwatchers and horseback riders share 300 acres of open space. Step onto cushioned dirt trails, where the sounds of traffic give way to salty ocean breezes and the calls of red-tailed hawks soaring overhead. A narrow singletrack ribbons across the protected grassland elevated high above More Mesa Beach, giving you views of the Channel Islands on the horizon.
Distance: Approx. 3-mile loop
Elevation: Mostly flat
Trailhead: Shoreline Drive near Shoreline Farms
Pro Tip: The trail cuts through dense coastal brush and riparian habitat that can brush against your legs. Wear leggings, tights or high socks for maximum comfort.
ARTS District to Stearns Wharf
Starting right in the heart of Santa Barbara at State and Sola streets, this route is the ultimate “runseeing” session — a growing trend among active travelers who combine running with sightseeing. Jumpstart your workout surrounded by white Spanish Colonial Revival archways and colorful public art murals in the ARTS District. As you travel south along the brick- and palm-lined blocks of State Street, including the pedestrian-only State Street Promenade, you’ll pass local boutiques, historical theaters and tempting eateries before reaching the wooden planks of Stearns Wharf.
Distance: Approx. 3 miles out-and-back
Elevation: Mostly flat
Trailhead: State Street and Sola Street intersection
Pro Tip: Roadies should head out early as the city wakes up and before sidewalks become too crowded. Post-exercise, grab a fresh pour-over coffee from an ARTS District café. Craving extra mileage? Travel north to the historic Old Mission Santa Barbara and the fragrant A.C. Postel Memorial Rose Garden.
Long Runs (6+ Miles)
Jesuita Trail
Head 10 minutes directly north of downtown Santa Barbara into the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains to trade pavement for steep terrain on the Jesuita Trail. This advanced trail run immerses you in shaded canyon streams, cool oak bowers and switchbacks carved through dense chaparral-covered hillsides. Once you conquer the climb, stand triumphantly at the 1,800-foot Inspiration Point summit, where the entire city and coastline unfold beneath you.
Distance: 6.9 miles out-and-back
Elevation: 1,561 feet of elevation gain
Trailhead: San Roque Road (near the Cater Water Treatment Plant)
Pro Tip: Watch for bright green poison oak along the narrow lower canyon sections, and prepare to hop across several stream crossings.
Santa Barbara Waterfront
This well-loved multiuse pathway along Santa Barbara’s waterfront hugs the shoreline on the official Cabrillo Bike Path, stretching all the way from Leadbetter Beach to Butterfly Beach. Prepare to be entertained as you jog past creatively named sailboats docked in the harbor, volleying beachgoers and the gentle tides of the Pacific. It’s wide, fast and almost entirely car-free, offering a relaxing workout without the hassle of wayfinding. For a bonus, continue to the tip of Stearns Wharf.
Distance: Nearly 8 miles out-and-back
Elevation: Mostly flat
Trailhead: Leadbetter Beach or Butterfly Beach
Pro Tip: Expect to share the path with cyclists, strollers and walkers. Keep an earbud out to stay alert.
Obern Trail
Located 20 minutes west of downtown at Goleta Beach Park — just around the corner from the global headquarters of HOKA (a sponsor of the Santa Barbara Half Marathon) — this tranquil run with minimal street crossings follows the quiet waters of Atascadero Creek. Tall sycamores and willow trees canopy the wide, paved path, creating an uninterrupted and shaded thoroughfare for serious training.
Distance: 9 miles out-and-back
Elevation: Mostly flat
Trailhead: Goleta Beach Park
Pro Tip: Need to log more miles? At the eastern end of the Obern Trail, connect to the 1.1-mile Modoc Multi-Use Path and continue onto the 2.6-mile Las Positas/Modoc Path. The linked route stretches all the way to Arroyo Burro Beach, creating an 8.2-mile one-way (16.4-mile out-and-back) endurance training session that’s almost entirely on dedicated multiuse paths.
Know Before You Go
Santa Barbara’s mild climate makes it a year-round running destination. Coastal areas are often coolest in the morning and may be blanketed by marine layer fog, while inland trails can warm up quickly later in the day. Carry water for longer outings, wear sun protection and check conditions, as trails can become eroded, muddy or washed out. Avoid running on muddy trails whenever possible, as doing so can damage the trail surface and accelerate erosion.
Many spots are shared with hikers, cyclists, walkers and horseback riders. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep to the right when appropriate and yield according to posted trail etiquette. On backcountry trails, watch for poison oak and uneven footing and remember that wildlife, including rattlesnakes, may be active.
Leashed dogs are welcome on many Santa Barbara trails, though regulations vary by park and open-space area. Check posted signage before heading out, keep pets under control and always pack out waste to help protect local wildlife and sensitive habitats.
If you’re visiting in fall, consider signing up for the annual Santa Barbara Half Marathon to experience the area’s scenery alongside fellow runners.
