Hiking Rattlesnake Canyon

With sprawling vistas of the coast, jagged rock walls, and even a bit of running water, Rattlesnake Canyon Trail, only miles from downtown Santa Barbara, is one of the region’s most popular hiking routes. Deva Borthwick and Silvia Tercero, both UCSB students, came out for a jaunt up the canyon to collect beetles, butterflies, dragonflies, and other bugs for an invertebrate lab project.

Others just came out to enjoy the fresh air. “We’re working off the weekend and spending some time out of the house,” said Caitlin McCahill while hiking down the trail with Jarryd Hensel. The two usually hike on the Montecito trails but decided to make a change this weekend and hike the 3.5 miles out and back to the sweeping wildflower meadow, a delightful payoff after trekking the winding route uphill.