The mountains directly behind Santa Barbara are public land (Los Padres National Forest) crisscrossed by trails that climb out of the canyons into the chaparral and pine. The Tunnel Trail, starting at the top of Tunnel Road above the Botanic Garden, is the classic hike — 8 miles round trip to Inspiration Point and Seven Falls, or push on to La Cumbre Peak for the full day.
Other good walks: Rattlesnake Canyon (shaded, follows a creek, good for hot days), Cold Spring Trail (long, eventually crossing the ridge to Montecito Peak), and the easier Inspiration Point loop. The trails are generally well marked but steep, and the south-facing slopes get extremely hot from late morning onwards in summer — start at dawn. Watch for rattlesnakes, ticks, and poison oak.