Seven Falls, Santa Barbara CA

Though not as grandiose as the famous Seven Falls of Colorado Springs, Santa Barbara's Seven Falls is one of the top attractions in the area. Mission Creek plunges down seven waterfalls in steps, each waterfall splashing into a small, rock-lined pool (bring your bathing suit!). A 1ź mile, easy to negotiate, trail leads to the bottom of the falls from the parking lot. For the more ambitious, a more difficult climb will take you on up (one more mile) to 'Inspiration Point' where you can enjoy an awesome view of the Pacific Coast.

From the parking area, the trail is paved to a bridge over Mission Creek. You'll see Fern Falls from the bridge, - which is about as close as you will get to this waterfall. Continuing on the trail which becomes dirt with an increasing density of stones and rocks, you'll reach a fork where Mission Trail branches off to the right. Continue straight ahead (this is Jesusita Trail) over the small ridge and down into Mission Canyon. Cross Mission Creek and there is another split. Take the trail that follows the creek upstream to the bottom of Seven Falls. This trail is rockier and the going is (or should be) slower but it is not that strenuous.

Weekends in the summer frequently attract more people than can comfortably fit in the little pools - and there is limited 'sitting' space on the rocky rims. This place is very popular among the locals. A word of caution... though these pools are small, they are deep (typically 8 feet) so use caution.

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How to get there:

Take the Mission Street exit of the US-101 freeway and head north towards the mountains. When you reach Santa Barbara Street turn left. Watch for signs for the Museum of Natural History and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Continue just 2 blocks on Santa Barbara Street to Los Olivos and turn right. Continue on Los Olivos, past the Santa Barbara Mission, to the fork. Bear left at the fork in the road and continue on to Foothill Road (Hwy 192). Turn right at the stop sign on Foothill Road, on to the next stop sign and turn left on to Mission Canyon Road. Follow Mission Canyon Road to Tunnel Road. Here the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden sign directs you to continue up Mission Canyon Road but you turn left, instead, and continue another mile up canyon on Tunnel Road to the Seven Falls parking area (on your right).

For a photo of Seven Falls, see:

Photos from Mission Canyon Album
(Santa Barbara Front Country hosted by SB-Outfoors.org)

Side note!

The Santa Barbara Mission and the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens are well worth seeing. Read details at Santa Barbara.

Seven Falls Los Padres Nat'l Forest (Santa Barbara CA)

Seven Falls
Los Padres Nat'l Forest
(Santa Barbara CA)