Hiking & Backpacking Santa Barbara & Ventura

Find Adventure in California’s Los Padres National Forest


Majestic waterfalls, sweeping vistas, granite-clad ridges, and hot springs—the southern Los Padres National Forest stretches across Southern California’s incomparable scenery. Let local author Craig R. Carey lead you through the best of this varied terrain. Hiking & Backpacking Santa Barbara & Ventura presents nearly 100 of the finest routes between Gaviota Pass and Lake Piru.


Explore lush trails above Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Ventura, Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru. Plan a day hike, a weekend backpacking trip, or a deep backcountry journey through stretches of the Chumash, San Rafael, Dick Smith, Sespe, and Matilija wildernesses. This guide provides the information you need to plan and implement your next hiking and backpacking adventure!


Inside You’ll Find

98 of the top routes in California’s second-largest national forest
Day trips, weekend excursions, and deep backcountry treks
Detailed section maps and GPS coordinates
Waypoints, camps, trailhead directions, and permit information
Recommendations for hiking with children