While my focus and love have always been for strenuous hiking into the pristine Santa Barbara backcountry, I realize that many of us yearn to slip away for a more convenient hike closer to home. Bringing the family and the children makes these nature experiences deeper while building a love for the outdoors.

Two easy local favorites have always been the shady Jesusita Trail and the venerable Rattlesnake Canyon Trail. (See 4.1.1. for driving directions and safety precautions.)

When out-of-town relatives wanted a pleasant and easy hike with their two young daughters, my instant thought was to draw them along the Jesusita Trail, beginning at the base of the Lauro Canyon Reservoir (top of San Roque Road).

Readers can see from the lead photograph and others just how cool and verdant the Jesusita Trail runs in the early stages, and folks have trimmed both sides fairly heavily, which is why you see what looks like “litter” there at the entrance near the two important trash cans (it’s natural debris). This trail would be very heavily overgrown with poison oak and other glorious flora without this weed-whacking and minimal cutting back of riparian growth.

Of all the frontcountry (coastal) trails, Jesusita is practically the only one that starts off level and even descends for a bit along a wide track, where conversation is easy.

Jesusita is prime for family outings with younger children and/or elderly adults. Overhead oaks and other trees shade the path until you reach the “wooden table,” and it’s still a mellow effort beyond.

Late in April, following heavy winter rainfall, the flora and wildflowers run riot, but the actual terrain you walk upon is badly chewed up and tough going in many spots. For safety reasons, I always have my twin hiking poles, and I wear very heavy boots against the slippery rocks and muddy areas. While wonderfully muddy back there, it will dissipate soon and offers tons of fun!

Children will scurry about, but everyone needs to watch out for rattlesnakes, which have been seen on this trail. Later mornings in middle spring along dappled trails can be favored spots for these snakes, so with children or newbies I would go in front and poke around with my sticks while moving forward slowly. With a group, see this excursion as a “ramble,” not a destination hike.

I was out on a foggy morning in late April and hiked quite slowly since the muck was all around, but not too bad. After the wooden table — a great spot to offer snacks to children — I roamed on for another 20 minutes or so — more wandering than a resolute hike. Since I started at 7:30 a.m., there weren’t any other hikers on that foggy day.

There are six serious crossings of Jesusita Creek on the Jesusita Trail, and for a family fun outing I would likely halt at the first or second one. The first crossing shows how wide the overflow of new mud and boulders has reached, and this I clambered over quite easily, then forded the creek.

The second major creek crossing, shown with two portions of abandoned round metal storm drain, features deep erosional gouging, and the whole area has changed in drastic ways. I could see a way over, but I was alone. It had been 35 minutes from the start, and I’m trying to present this hike as a pleasant amble, filled with exploration opportunities; messing around in the watercourse calls to us, especially children.

The Jesusita Trail runs 3.5 miles and ascends sharply later on as one moves out into the full sun, until you reach well-known Inspiration Point. If you want this seven-mile monster go for it, but here we’re describing mellow jaunts deliberately without reference to higher goals or “achievement.” One will encounter mountain bikers and many other hikers on this trail. I also recommend the Jesusita Trail because there is ample parking down San Roque Road.

The Rattlesnake Canyon Trail, the only frontcountry trail that bans mountain bikes, has long been my go-to choice for a local hike, and I’m wandering along this beautiful chaparral-laden trail at least once a week.

“The Snake” starts out from Skofield Park at the Stanwood Bridge, but like the other frontcountry trails, it ascends brutally and you may want to avoid it on a hot day.

Parking inside Skofield Park is always wise, and then one hikes on the paved road about 100 yards to the one-lane bridge (4.1.1.).

“The Snake” features colorful rockrose on the early portions (a former road), and there is much less shade than on the Jesusita. Typically, I would lead groups of older, middle-school-age children on this hike given the strenuous nature.

When I’ve observed NatureTrack and the Wilderness Youth Project here with younger children, they often play and roam right down in the creekbed itself and thus avoid the punishing uphill.

Despite the ruinous 2008 Tea Fire, the canyon has rejuvenated itself quickly as chaparral zones often do, and hikers will enjoy the blue ceanothus, hummingbird sage, abundant spring flowers and the many oak trees.

For you hard-chargers, let me advise a light jog up to the well-known meadow, Tin Shack Meadow (or Tin Can Meadow) as it’s called (shack long gone), and the 1.7 very difficult miles will tax you. There are enough difficult fords and muddy areas in Rattlesnake Canyon that I am waiting until late May to lead groups up there.

On both of these hikes, fun and excitement in nature are the only “goals” — when with children or the elderly I always bring water, snacks and tidbits of local information, and make sure we have plenty of breaks. These are not workout hikes or rush jobs. At the same time, one simple hour delving into the Jesusita Creek area will reset your mind for the rest of the day!

4.1.1.

Driving: To the Jesusita Trail, take Foothill Road (Highway 192) and turn uphill (north) on San Roque Road, and after a short drive stop below the Lauro Reservoir (see first photo). To Rattlesnake Canyon, again take Highway 192 (Foothill) and turn north (uphill) on Mission Canyon Road toward the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, then turn right on Las Canoas for about a twisty mile and cross over the scenic (one-lane) Stanwood Bridge and park in Skofield Park or along Las Canoas; a trail sign directs you back to the Stanwood Bridge, where you can drop into the creekside trail. 

Ray Ford’s “Santa Barbara Front Country” map is excellent since it also shows the drives to the two trailheads. The print is larger, and it’s useful to explain the trail to children and newcomers.

Safe hiking: If it’s your first trip, go with someone who has frequented the trail before. Go early if possible. Despite heat, I recommend long pants and a long-sleeved SPF shirt vs. sun and poison oak; heavy boots or very solid shoes are necessary although most people wear running shoes. I always wield twin hiking poles for all the creek crossings. Bring water, snacks and a cellphone (reception is spotty, though).