Grace C. Chang - Santa Barbara Hikes

Distance (R-T): 3.5-4 miles to the meadow, 5 miles to Gibraltar Road
Elevation gain: 1000 feet to the meadow, 1550 to Gibraltar Road
Difficulty: Moderate

This is one of my favorite shorter hikes in the SB area. It follows Rattlesnake Creek all of the way up the trail. Water flows year-round here. There are a few creek crossings, but they are easy. The first creek crossing is near a large pool where trout are often seen (if there isn't a dog frolicking in the water). Other creek crossings offer views of smaller gurgling waterfalls. We can stop at the meadow about 1.75 miles up for distant views of the ocean, take the connector trail, or continue up to Gibraltar Road. The connector trail can be found directly uphill from the large oak tree after the meadow. This takes us to Tunnel Trail. We would need to park cars at both trailheads in order for this to work.

Driving directions (from the 101): Take the Mission Exit and drive toward the mountains. When the road ends at Roosevelt School, take a left at the stop sign onto Laguna. Take a right in front of the Mission onto Los Olivos. At the fork in the road, veer left onto Mission Canyon Road. At the stop sign, turn right onto Foothill Road (also the 192). In front of the fire station at the next stop sign, take a left onto Mission Canyon. At the fork in the road, take the right fork (the left one will take you to Tunnel Trail). After the small bridge, take a sharp right onto Las Canoas. This road winds through beautiful and very expensive houses. Watch out for the one-lane bridge. At the stone bridge just before Schofield Park, park on the side of the road. The trailhead is on either side of that bridge.

Spring flowers on Rattlesnake Trail.

Also see Tunnel Trail.

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