Flanked by Cold Springs Canyon on the west and San Ysidro Canyon
on the east, with Hot Springs Canyon cutting straight up between
them, the mounded summit of Montecito Peak dominates the community's slice of the Santa Ynez range, situated
sort of "up the hill" anywhere between San Ysidro Road and Cold
Springs Road. From Santa Barbara, looking somewhat like a rounded
half-dome, it's straight ahead as you drive up Cota or Haley toward
the mountains.
A moderately easy (three miles, round trip) hike to Montecito
Overlook or a strenuous hike (a little over seven miles, round
trip) to the top of the peak begins from Mountain Drive in Montecito.
To find the trailhead, exit Highway 101 at Hot Springs Road and
drive 2.5 miles to Mountain Drive. Turn left and drive 1.2 miles,
stopping where the creek runs over the pavement. Park where space
is available, observing the "No Parking" signs. An inexpensive
booklet available at local bookstores, Trail Guide, a guide to
hiking trails in the Santa Barbara area, has been published by
the local Sierra Club and is an excellent guide to hiking the
trail to either the overlook or the top of the peak.
Shaded by oaks and sycamores, and with a healthy undergrowth of
fragrant wildflowers and shrubs, including the blue-flowered Ceanothus
and poison oak, the lower section of the trail to Montecito Overlook
makes for cool and relaxed walking. This is the lowest and most
lush area in the upward progression through vegetation zones along
the trail, which generally moves from larger plant forms in the
canyons to more low-growing plants higher up.
Beyond the overlook, to the top of the peak, the trail is steep
through dense chaparral with very little shade. But about three
hours of leisurely hiking from the trailhead is the summit of
Montecito Peak, and the views of the ocean and mountains are inspirational.
At the top of the peak there used to be a box containing a notebook
to register those reaching the summit (elevation 2,462 feet).
If you decide to hike to the summit, sign the notebook if it?s
still there.
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