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Grace C. Chang - Santa Barbara Hikes |
Romero CanyonDistance (R-T): 5-5.5 mile lower loop, 8-8.5 mile upper loop to Camino Cielo
I think this is my favorite hike in Santa Barbara. My favorite hike of all time is the Bryce Canyon Loop trail from Bryce Point, but... Anyway, There are a few different ways to hike this trail. We usually do it one of two ways. (1) The LONG way - we hike up the road and just after the shallow creek crossing (which was thigh-deep during El Nino in 1998), we take a left onto the single-track trail. This takes us up the canyon along Romero Creek. It's shady and very beautiful. Eventually, we reach a four-way junction. The long way takes us straight ahead up the switchbacks. We end up hiking on Cozy Dell Shale for a while and then reach "top". We hear four-wheel drivers up here too. The "top" really isn't the top because we still have some small hills to climb. On the downhillside of a small hill, we can see views of Blue Canyon (named that because of the Serpentine rocks that make it look blue). In winters past (2001), we could see the snow-capped peaks in Ojai. It was amazing! Our last uphill bit is along Camino Cielo to the water tank. Just past this tank is a gate. We go through it and end up on another single-track trail. This trail takes us downhill on the front side of the mountain for pretty views of the ocean and city. At some point, we reach the same four-way junction. We proceed straight (making a figure-8) along what used to be Bella Vista Road. It is now a pretty flat, slightly downhill trail. This trail winds down and meets up with a fire road that takes us back to where we started, the shallow creek crossing. It's hot along the fire road, but we walk downhill, so it's ok. The views are nice from it. (2) The SHORT way. This is the same as the start of the LONG way, but instead of going straight at the four-way junction, we take a right and proceed toward the fire road. Both ways are loops, which is nice. Driving directions (from the 101): Take the Sheffield Drive Exit (the last one in Montecito before Eucalyptus Hill - it's on the LEFT). Take a right after you cross under the 101. The road immediately curves toward the left. Drive along the shady, windy road, passing the golf course and you will eventually reach a stop sign at the junction of East Valley Road (also the 192). Take a left (watch for cars - they don't have a stop sign!). Take the first right onto Romero Canyon Road. There are a few turn-offs on this road, just remember to stay right. I think you end up on the present-day Bella Vista Road at some point. The trailhead is where the creek crosses the road (not as much as at Cold Springs though). Park on the road and meet at the large gate. 
View from the top of the Romero Canyon Trail (the LONG way) (Photo taken by Rebecca "Fire Poi" Shipe) |