It’s no secret that Santa Barbara is home to hiking trails and all things outdoorsy. The surrounding mountains and beaches, coupled with the perfect 70-degree weather, make the city a place begging to be explored. However, many hotspots for venturing can be hard to reach for those without a car, myself included.
As a frequent user of public transportation and a lover of the outdoors, I set out to explore as many nature-related locations as I could find via the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) — more commonly known as the city bus.
My outdoor excursion began bright and early at the downtown Transit Center — the hub of the Santa Barbara's MTD. I decided to board Line 5, which would take me through the Mesa and Hidden Valley, with its final stop at La Cumbre Plaza. My schedule guide in hand, I stepped through the bus’s glass doors, eager to become one with nature.