Which trails are the best for intermediate hikers?

Answered by Katrin Wanberg , Santa Barbara, United States

There are a few options...Inspiration Point is one of my favorite hikes (more info here: http://bit.ly/eeVQY6). It's 3.5 miles round trip and gains about 800 feet in elevation, and the pay off includes sweeping views of the city and the Channel Islands. It's popular, but only crowded on weekends. You can find lots more front country options here: http://bit.ly/igXo4v.

A fun back country hike is Lizard's Mouth (http://bit.ly/f1cYf8), a short 1/4-mile walk from a road off of Highway 154. It's characterized by boulders, great rock-climbing, and it's located on the crest of the Santa Ynez Mountains, so views are amazing. This hike is fun if you're in the mood to explore, but don't necessarily want to trudge up a huge hill.