I used to live right around Santa Barbara, there were some fantastic hiking trails around there.
Among my favorites:
Lizard's Mouth:
Roughly two mile long trail that leads to a striking rock formation that looks like the mouth of a lizard. Lots of rocks for jumping around on and running up scrambly rock walls and such. Very fun.
Rattlesnake Canyon:
More longwinded hike, somewhere between 4 and 6 miles depending on how you do it. Parallels a creek for a while, and there's a picnic-like area at a circle of oak trees
Gaviota Peak:
Long trail, recently victim to some fires. if walking through ash is your thing, go here. At the peak of the trail, there's a formation of caves because of ocean winds. Pretty fun sliding around through those.
Nojoqui Falls:
Quick, easy, and contains a truly beautiful endpoint. The waterfall is in front of a little cave that is home to a ton of bats. BATS
