Rock Garden: Hiking, Rock Climbing, Exploring, Sunset Watching, Night Descent

Santa Barbara’s Rock Garden, at 3700’ above sea level, is a beautiful boulder field on the Santa Ynez Mountains. This is one of Santa Barbara's most exciting places for hiking, rock climbing and exploring, with great views overseeing the Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Summerland, and Carpinteria.

Time Frame: 3:30 pm - 8:50 pm, descend at sunset

Distance: < 4 mile

Trailhead: Rock Garden Trailhead, off Gibraltar Rd

Experience & Skill: rocky & uneven terrain hiking, basic bouldering and rock climbing

Physical & Mental: healthy, fit & agile for hiking

Mindset: adventurous yet very safety conscious, ability to assess risk effectively, self responsible & self accountable, intellectual curiosity, independent thinking, open-minded worldview

Rock climbing options: various, beginner to more advanced

Supply & Equipment: adequate water, food, headlight, windbreaker for night descent as needed, navigation apps, basic first aid kit