A trail follows the creek for most of its length between Calle Real and Cathedral Oaks. Walk along the trail while checking riparian trees and scrub for birds. Open fields and backyard fruit trees can be birdy, too. 

Riparian breeding birds like Yellow Warbler, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, and Purple Finch. During migration, check for rare songbirds passing through. 

San Pedro Creek runs through Goleta and eventually empties into Goleta Slough. The northern portion of the creek (north of Cathedral Oaks) is private and inaccessible, while the southern portion (south of Calle Real, and a bit north of it too) is channelized, concrete-lined, and not productive for birding. However, the middle reach has an intact riparian woodland of sycamore (Platanus racemosa), coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), arroyo and red willow (Salix lasiolepis and S. laevigata). Around Stow Canyon Open Space there is also a large amount of black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), a keystone riparian tree which is relatively localized and uncommon in the South Coast's riparian corridors. 

Substantial amounts of non-native vegetation is also present, some of which provides useful bird habitat in fall and winter. Suburban areas have flowering and fruiting trees like citrus, brazilian and peruvian pepper, and bottlebrush which are worth checking. At the north end of the riparian corridor just south of Cathedral Oaks there is a small grove of pines. Suburban streets just southwest of Stow Canyon Open Space are lined with sweet gums (Liquidambar sp.) which are attractive to finches in winter. 

The main trail follows the west side of the creek between Calle Real and Stow Canyon Rd. At Stow Canyon Rd. the trail switches and proceeds along the east side of the creek north to Cathedral Oaks. Beyond that point the creek is private and inaccessible.