Goleta • Santa Barbara • Montecito

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is known for its beautiful beaches, iconic architecture, and award-winning wine, but it’s also a great place for cycling with an ideal climate where daytime temperatures range between 50–80º year-round.

From the beach to the mountains

There are rides for all types of riders. Bringing the kids? Wanna ride to lunch at the beach? We've got you covered. Looking for an exceptional ride? You'll have to choose: Gibraltar Road, Mountain Drive or the Grand Loop will tempt whatever riding fantasies you hold.

Take the train

Make every moment an adventure, leave the car at home and take the Pacific Surfliner with service from San Diego, Irvine, Santa Ana and Los Angeles.

Amenities abound

When you're not riding you and your vacationing companions can stay downtown near Santa Barbara's finest restaurants and attractions – ride State Street's electric shuttle everywhere you need to go – the perfect complement to your sustainable travel vision.

Gateway to the Santa Ynez Valley

Extend your visit with a train ride to Guadalupe to the north. You'll ride rural, bucolic roads through wine country to Los Olivos, your hub for days of superb riding experiences.

Mountain Drive

Looking east from Mountain Drive

A route with gorgeous views and little traffic

Temporary Bridge

Mountain Drive had been closed at the Cold Spring Trailhead; a bridge was washed away by the flood that followed the Thomas Fire in January 2018. As of June 2020 a temporary bridge is in place, which will likely bring more motorists.

Highlights

You'll get your heart started – a tidy 18 miles long, this ride takes you up 800 feet above Santa Barbara for spectacular views from winding Mountain Drive. This route has been greatly impacted by the mudslides that followed the Thomas Fire.

Experience Level

Moderate: This route is accessible to most cyclists that enjoy a good climb.

The Route

Ride this route counter-clockwise for a more gradual ascent. At the start: you leave the Dolphin Fountain at Stearns Wharf, follow the bike path past the Andree Clark Bird Refuge, then the Santa Barbara Cemetery on your way to scenic Butterfly Beach opposite the Four Season Hotel. Your ascent passes by upscale, gated Montecito estates, historic hotels, and dining venues. Once you climb to Mountain Drive the elevation plateaus out and you'll enjoy fabulous views while riding a winding road with little traffic. On clear days you can see the Channel Islands 30 miles off shore.

Gibraltar Road

photo: Jeff Clark

The toughest and most iconic route is up Gibraltar Road

Highlights

Gibraltar is home to the spectacular Amgen Tour of California Stage finish in 2016 (where, bonus – the road was recently repaved). Known by locals as the “Santa Barbara Alpe d’Huez,” Gibraltar is a world-class cycling climb featuring approximately 3,000 feet in elevation gain over the course of 7 miles. Your reward for reaching the top? Expansive, unparalleled views of the Santa Barbara coastline – and well-earned bragging rights.

The Route

For one of the most scenic routes, begin at the Dolphin Fountain at Stearns Wharf, the oldest working wooden pier in California (that once belonged to Hollywood legend Jimmy Cagney and his brothers). Follow the bike lanes on State Street and take some time to warm up - your climb begins in short order at the historic Old Mission Santa Barbara (known as the “Queen of the Missions” for its exceptional beauty).

Experience Level

With grades varying between 7% and 15%, plus some technical descents, this ride is best suited for experienced cyclists.

Insider Tips

While cool coastal breezes abound in Santa Barbara, suffice to say it can get warm 3,000 feet above sea level. Depending on your skill level, climbing Gibraltar can take 40 minutes to over an hour. Be sure to bring two water bottles (on warmer days, perhaps even three) and dress in layers – it can get chilly during the descent! Looking to test your climbing skills against other cyclists? Enter the Santa Barbara 100 ride in October – which features 100 miles of riding including a time trial up Gibraltar for KOM and QOM status.

Shortcuts

If the thought of climbing 3,000 feet is a bit daunting, or if you’re simply short on time, cyclists can ride to the “No Shooting” segment – roughly one-third of the way up, where the road flattens out and the switchback points to the east. Up for a slightly bigger challenge? Try the No Shooting repeats segment on Strava.

Mesa Loop

Want lunch at the beach? Try this easy loop ride. You'll be rewarded with gorgeous views, great food and beverage.

Highlights

Your destination is the Boathouse on Hendry’s Beach. There's lots of bike parking here, a repair station and a pump, too. Refill your water bottle before you depart. After lunch explore the new observatory – stairs behind the restaurant take you to a beautiful lookout.

Experience Level

Every experienced cyclist can enjoy this ride up and over the Mesa. Follow the route counterclockwise – ride up State Street to start and you'll enjoy fabulous ocean views as you cruise down Shoreline Drive to the Marina.

The Route

Start from the Dolphin Fountain at Stearns Wharf, heading north on State Street then left on Victoria Street.

You'll be following the Crosstown Route as you take quiet streets on your way to Modoc Road. At Las Positas you'll turn left and cruise downhill to roundabout, take the first exit to reach your lunch destination, Boathouse at Hendry's Beach.

After lunch refill your water bottle then head up Cliff Drive, a gradual climb. At the top take Mesa Lane into a quiet neighborhood which will eventually lead you to La Mesa Park exiting onto Shoreline Drive. As you cruise downhill to the Marina you'll enjoy fabulous ocean views.

Goleta Beach Park

Obern Trail to Goleta

Heading east on the Obern Trail

Lunch at the beach? Let's ride to Beachside Cafe in Goleta Beach Park.

When to go

Go mid-week and depart around 10:30am as the restaurant can get busy at lunchtime. Budget 3 hours, one to get there, one to linger, and one on the way back – what an afternoon!

Explore the Westside

Out and back, from The Dolphin Fountain at the beach, it's a 20-mile round-trip route from downtown Santa Barbara to Goleta Beach Park, half off-road.

Experience Level

Everyone will enjoy the quiet Obern Trail. You can have a conversation while you ride and you can ride 2-abreast.

The Route

Some cyclists won't want to come back – your destination and the route there are sublime, so take your time. It's 20-miles, out and back, from Santa Barbara to Goleta Beach Park. The miles seem to fly by when you're off-road on the very flat Obern Trail. Watch for the Vitamin D overdose symptoms – big smiles as you sample food, wine, and beer at The Beachside Cafe.

Goleta Grand Tour

Ride off-road trails on this easy, flat Goleta loop.

How to get here

Looking for a car-free route? Welcome to Goleta where you can fly into to Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) or take the AMTRAK Surfliner from Los Angeles, Irvine, or San Diego – your bike rides free.

From Santa Barbara ride the Obern Trail from Modoc Road to the route start at Goleta Beach.

Highlights

Start at Goleta Beach, there's parking and food here, then follow the Obern Trail east, following the route counterclockwise. Soon you'll come to the Maria Ygnacio Trail on your left, head north on this cool, canopied north-south trail, which takes you under Hollister Ave then under the 101 Fwy to University Drive. From here you'll head west through quiet neighborhoods – you're following the North Goleta Route.

Experience Level

You'll see families with children riding along this route. The Cathedral Oaks Road segment suffers from high-speed traffic; otherwise you'll enjoy a relaxing ride on off-road trails and quiet neighborhood streets.

After the ride

Relax at Goleta Beach Park – sit at a picnic table and absorb the ocean views or head indoors at the Beachside Bar-Cafe for food and beverage.

Bike trails crisscross the UCSB campus

Riding Cathedral Oaks Road

Protected bike lane along Hollister Ave

Goleta Gravel

Devereux Beach

Gravel lover? Frolic at the beach, on your way to the Ellwood Mesa. This ride has fat tire fun in its DNA. Extra sunscreen required.

Highlights

Bring fat tires as segments of this route follow gravel trails. Lower your tire pressure for the rough surfaces ahead. Not in a rush? Pack a lunch as you'll pass lots of picnic tables. Linger at the beach – you'll see paths down to the shore along this route.

Experience Level

Riding with children? They'll love this gravel loop. This route is suitable for all ages and abilities.

The Route

As you leave Goleta Beach and head to the UCSB campus you'll ride along the coast towards the Campus Lagoon and the Labyrinth Trail. Get off your bike as this unique trail is "the most serene and inspirational six-tenths of a mile you'll ever walk."

Your next stop along the route will be Coal Oil Point, a favorite spot for sunset views.

Leave the coast and travel along new trails over a restored wetland reclaimed when the previous golf course was removed. You're on your way to the Goleta Butterfly Grove on the Ellwood Mesa.

Return via Phelps Road which runs along Girsh Park – you're on your way to lunch in Isla Vista.

After the ride

You've got super lodging options along this route; check out the posh Ritz Carlton Bacara or the boutique-y Kimpton GoodLand.

Goleta's got craft breweries conveniently located for you; check out Draughtsmen Aleworks, M Special, and Captain Fatty's breweries. Thirsting for something different? Stop by the nearby Santa Barbara Cider Company for a refreshing hard cider.

Got hungry riders with you? Head to Isla Vista where you'll find something to suit everyone's appetite.

On the Ellwood Mesa

Hope Ranch Loop

Check out gilded, gated Hope Ranch – Santa Barbara's equestrian set lives here. This route quickly leaves the bustling downtown behind as you head towards quieter neighborhood streets on the westside.

Sample Santa Barbara Sights

This loop is a great introduction to Santa Barbara. Start from the AMTRAK Station then cruise up State Street, making note of a restaurant or two for further exploration after the ride.

A well-signed route

Follow Micheltorena to the westside. You'll follow a well-signed route on quiet streets as you wind your way towards Modoc Road.

Hope Ranch

A golf and equestrian community established in 1924, Hope Ranch is a beautiful place to explore by bike.

You'll enjoy coastal views as you turn onto Marina Drive. Cliff Drive is your exit from Hope Ranch.

Stop at Boathouse at Hendry's Beach for lunch on the sand; there's ample bike parking, plus a tool stand with a bike pump – it's one of Santa Barbara's most bike-friendly destinations.

Las Palmas Drive in Hope Ranch

Channel Island views

The Mesa

After lunch hop back onto Cliff Drive and ride around the roundabout. Climb briefly up and onto the Mesa for the final segment of this route.

Turn right onto Mesa Lane, you'll cruise through a beachy neighborhood then transition onto Shoreline Drive. This downhill cruise will feel like a victory lap with its beautiful views of the coastline as you roll to the Marina.

After the ride

Coffee, lunch, beer or wine? You're surrounded by all the best Santa Barbara has to offer. Visit the Funk Zone for wine tasting at the Santa Barbara Winery or brews at Figueroa Mountain. Move uptown for more wine tasting rooms, including Au Bon Climate in El Paseo and Sanford Winery in the historic La Arcada Courtyard.

Ride to the end of Stearns Wharf for sunset and shrimp tacos at the Shellfish Company, or breakfast at D'Angelos Bread, where you'll want to take a loaf to go. Goat Tree offers indoor and outdoor self-seating with salads, sweets, other unique treats.

Oceanfront ranch

View from Shoreline Park