Santa Barbara, a city located on the central coast of California, has the perfect weather and the best beaches to offer.
With a tropical climate all year round, where temperature rises to at least 50 degrees F, a stroll along the shores, with breezy winds flowing, sounds like a marvelous option.
So, if you need some relaxing time by the ocean, below are the eleven best beaches in Santa Barbara, which you can visit for an amazing experience to refresh your mind.
1. Leadbetter Beach
The Accidental Beach, located just below Leadbetter Hill, is one of the most frequently visited beaches in Santa Barbara.
The beach is a popular hotspot for students attending Santa Barbara City College, as it is conveniently situated right across the street.
When the weather is right and breezy, many activities like windsurfing, kite flying, sailing, kiteboarding, and even surfing for beginners are possible.
Leadbetter Beach is one of the best beaches in Santa Barbara because of the many comforts it offers.
Cafes restaurants and beach parks provide a perfect spot for picnics and barbeques. Bike trails with amazing views surrounding the Leadbetter beach are perfect, but the beach is not pet-friendly.
- Location: 801 Shoreline Dr., Santa Barbara. Paid parking is also available.
2. Hammond’s Beach
A local beach, Hammond’s Beach is among the best beaches in Santa Barbara if you want to get away from some chaos.
Not many facilities are available at Hammond’s Beach; activities like beach walking and surfing are quite popular.
The key feature of Hammond’s Beach is that dogs are allowed on a leash. Dog walking along the beach with an amazing view is the best way to destress yourself from the hectic schedule of life.
Hammond’s Beach shares its parking lot with Miramar Beach.
- Location: Eucalyptus Lane and Edgecliff Lane, Montecito, CA 93108
3. East Beach
The go-to beach is for tourists who are visiting Santa Barbara.
Located near some large hotels in Santa Barbara, East Beach is well-known for being the best beach in Santa Barbara because of its many services.
The art pavilion (Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center), picnic tables in a grass park, many volleyball courts, and a restaurant named East Beach Grill make East Beach a perfect spot for visiting.
Throughout the year, East Beach organizes volleyball tournaments.
Activities like skating, metal detecting, running, and biking along the paved roads have made East Beach gain attention among the crowds and receive enormous visitors.
Limited free parking is available, after which the parking spots require a fee. The beach is not pet-friendly.
- Location: 620 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
4. Mesa Lane Beach
A narrow beach, Mesa Lane Beach gets its place on the list of best beaches in Santa Barbara because of its unique way of accessing the beach.
The Mesa Lane beach is accessible to visitors by Mesa Lane steps, which were constructed in 1982 for easy access to the beach.
The Mesa Lane steps are 241 steps long and made entirely of wood, a sight to behold. The Mesa Lane steps lead down to Mesa Beach.
One of the best beaches in Santa Barbara, Mesa Beach, is also considered dangerous when the tides are high. Surfing when the waves are low can be a pretty good experience, but the rocks under the water should be a lookout.
No official parking space exists for Mesa Lane Beach, but you can find a spot along Mesa Lane and nearby streets.
- Location: 2341 Edgewater Way, Santa Barbara
5. Goleta Beach Park
Goleta Beach Park is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Santa Barbara because it has something for everyone.
Picnic areas for groups, volleyball courts, a playground for kids, picnic tables, BBQ grills, horseshoes, benches, and picnic tables are some of the many amenities Goleta Beach Park provides.
The beach offers fishing along the pier, and kayaking, paddle boarding, and boating are also available. Boat lunch on holidays and weekends makes the already busy beach more populated.
The Santa Barbara County Park offers free beach wheelchairs, and dogs are allowed on a leash.
The beach’s parking is free, but it fills up very quickly and can cause a problem as not much parking space is available around the coast.
- Location: 123 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
6. Carpinteria State Beach
Located just ten minutes south of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria State Beach has it all.
The beach is wide, perfect for sunbathing, and offers many facilities. The beach provides a camping facility right on the sand, surf fishing, tidepool exploring, and swimming.
The tidepool exploration contains crabs, sea urchins, starfish, octopi, and snails.
The Carpinteria State Beach is one of the best beaches in Santa Barbara due to the occasional sightings of sea lions, seals, and grey whales.
Many options are available for eating at the beach as many restaurants offering various cuisines are present along the coast.
Dogs are allowed on the campground and playground areas but not on the beach.
- Location: Near Highway 224, off U.S. 101.
7. Summerland Beach
Summerland Beach is right below the lookout park, a six-mile drive east of Santa Barbara. One of the best beaches in Santa Barbara, Summerland Beach, is a treat for all dog lovers.
Dogs are allowed on the beach, and you can also go for a dog wash after they are done playing in the sand.
Volleyball courts, a playing area for kids, picnic tables and benches, and BBQ grills are some of the amenities that Summerland Beach offers.
Summerland Beach is your destination for people looking for a quiet, secluded place with amazing views. Walking alongside the shoreline with less crowd will surely soothe your mind.
- Location: 2297 Finney St, Summerland, CA
8. Santa Claus Beach
Santa Claus is just an alias; the real name of this beach is Padaro Beach. The nickname of this beach came from its location, situated at the end of Santa Claus Lane.
It is one of the best beaches in Santa Barbara because it has the clearest water among Santa Barbara beaches.
This beach is a hidden gem in all the beaches as it is not crowded; it offers a spectacular view and is a total sellout for you to check out.
Santa Claus Beach receives mild waves and is best suited for paddleboarding and general frolicking activities.
- Location: Santa Claus Lane, Carpinteria.
9. Arroyo Burro Beach
Arroyo Burro Beach, called Hendry’s Beach by the locals, is popular among pet owners. Arroyo Burro Beach is a dog-friendly beach where you can allow your dog to run free without a leash.
Boathouse restaurants, BBQ grills, picnic tables, and trails in picturesque locations await you at Arroyo Burro Beach.
Along with this, a watershed resource center that offers educational programs on protecting California’s shoreline and beaches is also a key highlight at the beach.
Beach wheelchairs, which are free of cost, are also available at the beach. The time for visiting the beach is from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, and it offers free parking space.
- Location: 2981 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara.
10. West Beach
West Beach is situated adjacent to Stearns Wharf Pier. Swimming is not preferable, as West Beach is near the harbor.
West Beach does not provide many facilities, but it is popular for volleyball, kayaking, and boating. West Beach also offers the best view of the fireworks on the Fourth of July or New Year.
Restaurants and cafes are also present right across the street. Also, remember that dogs are not allowed on West Beach.
- Location: 401 Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
11. Butterfly Beach
Located in Montecito, home to many celebrities, the locals consider it one of the best beaches in Santa Barbara.
Although few public facilities are available at the beach, the range of activities you can do is astounding.
The shoreline of Butterfly Beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. The beach has the most amazing view of sunrises and sunsets.
There is also a chance of spotting dolphins and whales from the beach. Dogs can also be walked along the shoreline but with a leash on.
Free street parking is available at Butterfly Beach, which can fill up quickly on weekends. The best alternative is to travel by bike, as many bike trails lead up to Butterfly Beach.
- Location: near Butterfly Lane and Channel Drive, Montecito.
End Note on Some Beaches in Santa Barbara
You should visit and explore these best beaches in Santa Barbara.
Take your friend or family to these beaches for a fun vacation, play with the waves and sand, and have the time of your life.
