Hot Springs Canyon Trail, Montecito

The Hot Springs Canyon Trail is the most rewarding short hike in the Montecito foothills, because it ends at something you can sit in. Starting near East Mountain Drive, it climbs about 2.6 miles round trip and roughly 800 feet of elevation through a creek canyon of oaks, sycamores and boulders, past the stonework and foundations of an old hot springs resort, to a series of natural geothermal pools where warm, mineral-scented water collects in rock basins with a view down the canyon to the ocean. The trail is rated moderate: steady but never brutal, mostly shaded in the lower canyon, with a few rocky, exposed stretches higher up. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the springs drew visitors to a resort hotel in the canyon, and the ruins and old pipes you pass are its remnants, which gives the walk a sense of discovery. The trailhead parking is the catch. There is no lot, only free but limited street parking near the junction of East Mountain Drive and Riven Rock Road in a quiet residential area, so arrive early, park legally and respect the neighbors; carpooling, a taxi or a bike are all encouraged. There are no restrooms at the trailhead. Dogs are allowed, and may be off-leash in some areas under voice control. Go on a weekday morning, bring water and a towel, and pack out everything you bring.

The Montecito foothills are crossed by a network of trails that climb from the edge of the estates into the Santa Ynez Mountains, maintained with help from local trail organizations and the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, which protected much of Hot Springs Canyon. Like the rest of the front country, the canyon has been shaped by fire and flood: the Thomas Fire and the January 2018 debris flows struck these drainages hard, and trail crews have since rebuilt and rerouted sections. Today the route is open and well used, but storms can still close trails or wash out crossings, so check conditions after heavy rain.

Doing it well: start early to find parking and to have the pools to yourself; midday weekends can be crowded and the springs are small. Wear sturdy shoes for rocky footing, carry water, and bring a light towel if you plan to soak. Pool etiquette matters here: share the space, keep voices low, leave no trash, and never use soap in the water. The pools are natural and unregulated, so avoid putting your head under. Watch for poison oak along the creek and keep dogs under control around other hikers. Allow two to three hours including time at the pools.

Fitting it into a trip: pair the hike with a late breakfast or lunch in Montecito's Upper Village or on Coast Village Road, then spend the afternoon at Butterfly Beach. Garden and architecture lovers can combine it with a Casa del Herrero tour on the same day. For a longer, harder front-country day, Inspiration Point via the Jesusita Trail is the bigger summit hike on the city side.