The Indy’s Annual Blue and Green Guide

Welcome to The Independent’s Blue & Green issue, our annual ode to those great outdoor activities that cause so many of us to live in Santa Barbara. Whether you’re a surf nut, a hiking fanatic, a rabid rock climber, or just someone who enjoys a casual stroll along one of our many beaches, we’re pretty positive that one of the main reasons you endure our town’s high cost of living is because you’ve got a thing for the outdoors, a nagging addiction to crisp air, and a hankering for unspoiled natural beauty.

For this year’s guide, we’ve got a rare, especially insightful story about surf legend Greg Noll; a piece about the new stand-up surfing wave that’s crashing all over the West Coast; a report on what it’s like to blend rock climbing with yoga; some tips on where to go for the most diverse hiking experiences; a review of a book about California’s coastal species; and an article about the rebuilding of Carpinteria’s historic Franklin Trail. And of course, we’ve got listings of those outfitters in Santa Barbara who can help you quench your outdoor thirst.

So sit down, read up, and then take some inspiration from our pages to get out and get busy with nature.

Click on the following links to get started!

• Unforgettable Hikes: S.B. County Trekking

• Yoga on the Rocks: Rock Climbing Breath by Breath

• Leaving More Than a Trace: Re-creating Carpinteria’s Historic Franklin Trail

• Adventure for Hire: Clubs and companies that can take you there

• Walking on Water: Stand-Up Paddle Surfing Invades Santa Babylon

• Of Water and Wood: Greg Noll and the Shape of the Ultimate Surfing Life