Hiking to Tangarine Falls in Santa Barbara

Tangerine Falls

The 150-foot Tangerine Falls is widely considered the most beautiful in Santa Barbara, and it is absolutely spectacular during and following the rainy season. This 2.5-mile excursion has just about everything a hiker could want. The trail follows a picturesque creek, provides plenty of shade, has ocean views, and offers a bit of off-trail rock hopping and scrambling. Oh and there is a beautiful waterfall as well.

Click here to see more photos of Tangerine Falls

Due to the number of trails in the area, there are a few junctions along the way to Tangerine Falls that are important to pay attention to. The first junction comes ¼ of a mile from the trailhead and is the only one that is marked. Cross the creek just below a wooden bench, leaving the East Fork Trail for the West Fork Trail. Follow this trail for another ¾ of a mile as it climbs along the bank to the left of the creek. An opening in the canopy provides a view up canyon toward Tangerine Falls and a view down canyon toward the ocean. The trail descends closer to the creek, passing a white sign on the left, before coming to an unmarked junction. The West Fork Trail curves uphill to the left, but turn right here, descending to the creek on the unmaintained but well-worn Middle Fork Trail.

Cold Springs Creek

You are now just above the confluence of the West Fork and the Middle Fork of Cold Springs Creek. The waterfall is on the middle fork, so cross over the creek in front of you, using the strong roots to climb the opposing bank up to the Middle Fork Trail. After a short distance, comes another junction. The main trail turns to the left, but continue straight ahead on the path following the creek toward the falls. This track crosses the creek a few times, and there is a good footpath all the way to the base of the falls. There are also several offshoots that can lead to unnecessary rock hopping up the creek. If you find yourself in the position and are unhappy rock hopping, simply backtrack or cross to the other bank of the creek to find the trail again.

There are several short cascades in the creek leading up to the falls. Next to one of them, the path crosses a steep rock face en route to more even footing. A bit of scrambling is required to reach the actual base of the falls, but it is all worth it.

In its full glory, Tangerine Falls is magnificent. The silky waters slide down a steep face of pink and brown sandstone. As if that weren’t enough, the waterfall also offers a great view down the canyon toward the Pacific. Relax and enjoy Tangerine Falls, or more formally, West Fork Cold Springs Falls, before returning the way your came. No fee or permit is required, so get out and enjoy!

An ocean view from the trail to Tangerine Falls

To get to the trailhead: Take exit 94A off the 101 Freeway on Olive Mill Road and drive toward the mountains. Continue up Olive Mill Road as it turns into Hot Springs Road. Two miles from the freeway, turn left on Mountain Drive. Drive 1 mile to the point where Cold Spring Creek flows over the road. Park here and find the wooden sign marking the start of the East Fork Trail (on the right side of the road, just to the right of the creek).

Use the map below to create your own directions to the trailhead:

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