Santa Barbara Running Routes
Santa Barbara running routes are the best in the State, featuring incredible beach runs and scenic mountain trails. The perfect weather year-round makes Santa Barbara a great athletic vacation destination for runners.
Running in Santa Barbara is a big part of the local culture. With summer series like Night Moves, Santa Barbara running is something not to be missed. Long considered Los Angeles’ sleepy neighbor, this beach town is home to many celebrities, executives, and athletic locals. The variety of great restaurants and year-round nice weather makes Santa Barbara the ideal destination for wellness travel. When visiting, be sure to bring your running shoes to explore these Santa Barbara running routes. The ideal climate of the region means that outdoor activities such as running are enjoyed year-round in this beautiful city.
Santa Barbara’s landscape is rife with trails ideal for running and jogging. Many of these trails have been carefully maintained to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience for all runners. The Santa Barbara Coastal Trail is one such path, and it features spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean while winding through multiple parks along the coastline.
Where to Run in Santa Barbara
Uniquely situated between the Figueroa Mountain range and pristine coastline, there is endless opportunity for amazing runs. The five Santa Barbara coastal towns are (in order from South to North):
- Carpenteria
- Summerland
- Montecito
- Santa Barbara
- Goleta
Each town offers its own special running experience and a unique perspective of the area. Depending on where you start from, there are plenty scenic loops and great out-and-back routes.
Best Santa Barbara Runs
Best Out-and-Back Run in Santa Barbara
The Stearns Wharf to Shoreline Park out-and-back is the most popular running route in Santa Barbara. A ocean front 3.70 mile run, the route starts at the bottom of State Street at Stearns Wharf and has a mild elevation gain of about 100′ on the climb up to The Mesa.
The park stretches along Cabrillo Boulevard, running east toward Stearns Wharf, offering incredible views of the harbor and Pacific Ocean. There are plenty of places to stop and take in the sights, including an observation deck just before reaching the wharf itself. Beginners may want to start at Shoreline Park and turn back once they reach Stearns Wharf; seasoned runners can continue on beyond the wharf to add some extra distance to their route.
Along the way, runners will be able to spot some of Santa Barbara’s wildlife like dolphins in the ocean waters or seagulls perched atop light poles. If you’re lucky enough, you might even catch a glimpse of a whale breaching off in the distance.
The mostly-paved pathway also provides access to several public beaches, giving runners a chance to cool off after their run with a dip in the ocean. No matter your fitness level or ambition, running along Santa Barbara’s Shoreline Park is a running route that shouldn’t be missed.
Where to eat after Running Shoreline Park
After the run, treat yourself to a lobster roll from Santa Barbara Shell Fish Company. The lobsters are caught locally and brought in to the Santa Barbara Harbor. During the lobster season, you can buy freshly caught lobsters – or “bugs” as the fisherman call them – directly from the fish market at the harbor.
Best Running Loop in Santa Barbara
More Mesa is one of a few ocean front nature preserves that has a fun network of dirt trails. Santa Barbara’s More Mesa Nature Preserve is an excellent running destination for those looking to experience the city’s natural beauty. Spanning over 482 acres, the preserve offers a variety of terrains, from sandy beaches and rolling grassy hills to wooded canyons and rocky bluffs.
The preserve is home to a wide range of wildlife, including California quail, bobcats, deer, coyotes, hawks and owls. Runners will be able to spot some of the area’s inhabitants as they make their way through the trails or along the beach. On clear days, runners will also be able to take in sweeping views over Santa Barbara and the Pacific Ocean beyond.
The best time to visit the More Mesa Nature Preserve is during late summer and early fall when wildflowers are blooming among the grasslands. The preserve is well-equipped with trails suited to all levels of runners; easy paths meander along beaches while more difficult routes lead up steep slopes with incredible vistas at the top.
For a unique running experience that takes you away from city life and into nature, head to Santa Barbara’s More Mesa Nature Preserve. Whether you’re looking for an easy stroll or an exciting adventure, you’ll find plenty of options in this stunning location.
Nature Preserve Running Routes in Santa Barbara
The Nature Preserve trails in Santa Barbara make the city a paradise for runners. Below are the top four nature preserves for running in Santa Barbara. Each coastal preserve offers something a little different while providing amazing maintained dirt trails.
Douglas Preserve
Named after Michael Douglas who donated the money to save the preserve from the fate of becoming a resort, the Douglas Family Preserve is a local favorite. The perimeter trail is roughly 1.70 miles which can be lengthen through zig-zagging different trails.
Coronado Butterfly Preserve – Ellwood Mesa Running Trails
A monarch butterfly preserve, Ellwood Mesa is the largest of the coastal preserves in Santa Barbara. The perimeter running trail is roughly four miles with multiple criss-crossing routes. A unique variety of eucalyptus forest and open grasslands along the coastal cliff side make for the most scenic running trail in Santa Barbara.
More Mesa Trail Runs
Bordering the exclusive neighborhood of Hope Ranch, More Mesa is a convenient ocean-front dirt running trail. There are multiple access points from the roads which makes for a fun variety of starting points.
Running Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve
The roughly 2 miles long preserve sits at the southern end of Carpinteria. The loop shown below is 2.97 miles and can be easily shortened or lengthened. Stop by downtown Carpinteria post run for meal at one of the many great restaurants in town.
Running Stores in Santa Barbara
The best running store in Santa Barbara is the Santa Barbara Running Company which is located on Coast Village Road in Montecito. Featuring everything you need to hit the running trails, the Santa Barbara Running Company has been the only independent running store in the area since 2003. The Santa Barbara Running Company carries the following running shoe brands:
- Altra
- ASICS
- Brooks
- New Balance
- On
- Saucony
Along with running shoes, the store features its own line of running clothing “rabbit” as well as all the hydration and supplements you need.
Night Moves Running Group
Night Moves Santa Barbara running group is a great way for runners of all levels to explore Santa Barbara in a fun and active setting.
No matter what your fitness level or experience, Night Moves will be sure to have something for you – with different pace groups covering routes around downtown, as well as along the beach and up into the nearby hills. The friendly atmosphere and relaxed pace make this an ideal way for casual joggers and serious runners alike to enjoy the city’s natural beauty together.
Night Moves also offers plenty of socializing opportunities at the end of each run, so members can get to know one another while enjoying some refreshments provided by the group. This helps foster a sense of community amongst its participants, which encourages more people to take part in outdoor activities and stay connected with nature.
Santa Barbara is known for its spectacular sunsets, so it’s no surprise that Night Moves has become one of the area’s most popular running groups. With stunning views over the ocean, runners can enjoy incredible views with each step – making these sessions truly memorable experiences!
When and Where to Meet for Night Moves:
Event details and schedule:
Registrations Opens at 5 p.m on site every Wednesday, Ocean swim waves begin at 6:25, Running events begin at 6:35.
Where to meet for Night Moves Santa Barbara
Meet at Leadbetter Beach Park for the 1K and 5K weekly running series. There are walk-run events as well as the main 5k race. See the map below for where to meet for night moves and the night moves running course map.
Planning a trip to Santa Barbara
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