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Stevens Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 300 Google reviews · Running trail in Santa Barbara, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Stevens Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Hiking trails, picnicking areas & a playground situated on 25 acres around San Roque Canyon.
What runners say about Stevens Park
“What's NOT to love about this park: beautiful grounds, with a bridge and a trail out the back that is easily done by most families with children.”
“It's got a lot of shady spots, and great for kicking back, listening to your headphones, while reading a good book and perhaps a picnic.”
“For even more peace and quiet, walk out the back of the park, into a pretty much unused shady area.”
One of my top three favorite parks. The park area itself is rather small; however, it serves as a trailhead for miles of hiking, all the way up to Inspiration Point (haven't made it that far yet). Looking forward to seeing the San Roque creek after it rains in all it's glory!
Lovely gem of a park in a beautiful narrow arroyo. Wooded trail follows the stream, heads north to the mountains and eventually meets up with the Jesusita Trail. Lots of wildlife and plants. Decent playground for the kids, clean restrooms. Good parking.
Great neighborhood park with a large grassy open space, large playground, a public restroom, along with many picnic tables and bbq's. There is a running creek during the winter months but it's dry during the summer.
Spectacular park for kids. Set back far from the road, so it is fairly safe to let the kids roam. Especially great for the kids if the small creek is running and they can play in the water. Also there is a walking path going up all the way to the mountains, 10 miles or so round trip.
Trail conditions & character
“What's NOT to love about this park: beautiful grounds, with a bridge and a trail out the back that is easily done by most families with children.”
“Great neighborhood park with a large grassy open space, large playground, a public restroom, along with many picnic tables and bbq's.”
“It's got a lot of shady spots, and great for kicking back, listening to your headphones, while reading a good book and perhaps a picnic.”
“The park area itself is rather small; however, it serves as a trailhead for miles of hiking, all the way up to Inspiration Point (haven't made it that far yet).”
“Nice Park Bring Family + Dogs Fun and easy for E-MTB RIDERS CAUTION: Rocky Creek Crossing Between Trail”
“Tidy bathroom and water fountain area is located next to the children's play area, and picnic tables.”
“For even more peace and quiet, walk out the back of the park, into a pretty much unused shady area.”
Plan your run at Stevens Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitesantabarbaraca.com
- Phone+1 805-564-5418
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–6 pm |
Running trails near Santa Barbara
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Jesusita Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 119 reviews
Dog-friendly and kid-friendly hiking trail featuring a stream and picnic benches.
Inspiration Point Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 445 reviews
Scenic 4-mile, mostly uphill hike with a dirt trail for about 2 miles and an overlook of Santa Barbara.
Skofield Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 157 reviews
Wilderness area supplying creek access & a half-mile loop road dotted with picnic tables & boulders.
Rattlesnake Canyon Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 209 reviews
Scenic, kid-friendly trail winding through a stream-filled ravine with a waterfall, plus a meadow.
Elings Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 695 reviews
Suburban spot with baseball fields, BMX raceway & hang gliding hills, plus picnic & event space.