Looking for the best beaches in Santa Barbara?? Here’s the list with all the travel information that you need to plan a family tour.
Santa Barbara is a fantastic beach city located on the central California coast with a breathtaking backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains. And it features beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters and white sands.
Blessed with the Mediterranean-like climate almost all year-round, Santa Barbara attracts millions of beach lovers annually. Especially during summertime. Therefore, the best months to visit are from March to May or from September to November.
Whether you are looking for swimming, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, sunbathing, kayaking, fishing, or playing beach volleyball Santa Barbara’s beaches are perfect for every beach activity.
Leadbetter Beach, Miramar Beach, East Beach, Arroyo Burro Beach County Park, and Butterfly Beach are the most popular and prettiest beaches in Santa Barbara.
So, let’s discover the complete list of the best and fun beaches in Santa Barbara, California. Just check the list and add them to your bucket list.
Beaches in Santa Barbara
1. Beaches in Santa Barbara: Leadbetter Beach
Leadbetter Beach is undoubtedly the most popular beach in Santa Barbara, CA.
Located in the famous Santa Barbara Waterfront area below Leadbetter Hill, the beach offers easy access from Santa Barbara City College and the marina.
Leadbetter Beach features soft white sands, dunes, majestic waves, and a picturesque mountainous backdrop.
The west edge of the beach has calm waves that are suitable for beginners at surfing. So, you can teach your kids how to surf.
And its warm waters and sunny weather are perfect for surfing, sunbathing, swimming, jogging, biking, and walking.
Being the most sheltered beach in Santa Barbara, Leadbetter Beach also features facilities like picnic areas, BBQs, restrooms, outdoor showers, Cabrillo Bike Path, plenty of restaurants that serve delicious seafood, and lifeguards.
Pack your swimming suit and visit Leadbetter Beach with your family on a summer weekend.
Address: 402 E Ortega St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-1635, United States Phone: (805) 564-5433
Beaches in Santa Barbara
2. Beaches in Santa Barbara: East Beach
East Beach is the first beach to see when you enter the city limits of Santa Barbara. East Beach and West Beach are located adjacent to each other and separated by Stearn’s Wharf.
Being one of the top beaches in the city, East beach stretches for 1.6 miles. And it is lined with palm trees and features soft sands.
If you are a beach volleyball fan, you should visit East Beach as it hosts famous beach volleyball tournaments throughout the year and many fun summer events like art fairs, beach parties, and water sports events.
Its calm, safe, and warm waters are ideal for swimming with kids. Since East Beach is the longest beach in the Santa Barbara Waterfront area, it has a lot of space for sunbathing.
And also, it is perfect for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, boogie boarding, and any other water sports.
After playing water sports, surely catch the spectacular sunset at Santa Barbara’s East Beach. It will be the best way to end your day.
Facilities near the East Beach include Cabrillo Bike Path, Skater’s Point skate park, plenty of hotels, restaurants, lifeguards during peak times, SUPs rentals, and kayak rentals.
So, plan a tour with your family and have a fun beach day.
Address: 1400 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108-2880, United States Phone: (805) 564-5433
Beaches in Santa Barbara
Looking for more beaches in California?? Here’s the list of the best beaches in California. Just check it out.
3. Beaches in Santa Barbara: Butterfly Beach
Butterfly Beach is located on the east of Santa Barbara in Upscale Montecito.
Being one of the prettiest natural beaches, Butterfly Beach offers spectacular ocean views throughout the year. And that’s why its name suits.
Simply walking along Butterfly Beach will soothe your mind.
Although it is a small beach, it is suitable for swimming, sunbathing, and lounging by the sand. Its soft sands and crystal clear waters will help you with that.
When it comes to sunset, Butterfly Beach features a romantic surrounding during the evening. So, come with your sweetheart and enjoy the beauty.
(Check for the tide table because, at the high tide, the beach almost disappears)
Due to the unbeatable features of Butterfly Beach, it features plenty of beach resorts too. So, plan your summer vacation now.
Address: Butterfly Beach, Montecito, CA 93108, United States
Beaches in Santa Barbara
4. Miramar Beach, Montecito
Scenic views, crystal clear waters, deep blue horizon, and pristine sandy dunes define the beautiful Miramar Beach in Upscale Montecito, Santa Barbara.
Featuring a serene atmosphere, Miramar Beach is perfect for fun outdoor activities like surfing, swimming, sunbathing, and exploring the sand strip and shoreline. If you have a dog, you can bring it with a leash.
The best time to walk along this golden sand beach is during the low tide. While walking, you can enjoy scenic ocean views, impressive beachfront homes, and a popular surfing spot, Hammonds Beach.
If you are here in high tide, surely try the picturesque Hammonds Meadow Trail to see breathtaking nature views.
Do not expect to have any facilities on Miramar Beach. But, there are restaurants and hotels near the beach.
Address: Mirada Road Highway One, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, United States
Beaches in Santa Barbara
5. Arroyo Burro Beach County Park or Hendry’s Beach
Here’s one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Santa Barbara.
Arroyo Burro Beach County Park or Hendry’s Beach is a famous public beach in Santa Barbara County among locals and tourists. Featuring a rich ecosystem in the sea, it attracts thousands of visitors annually.
You will frequently spot dolphins, seals, and whales on Hendry’s Beach. No need to be scared as these marine creatures are friendly with visitors.
On the other hand, Arroyo Burro Beach County Park is perfect for surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and swimming.
After enjoying Hendry’s Beach, you can try hiking trails in the nearby Douglas Family Preserve that stretches along the shoreline to Mesa Lane Beach.
So, come along with your family and dog to explore this ecosystem and bask in the sun. (The left side of the beach allows off-leash while the right requires a leash)
Address: 2981 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109-1024, United States Phone: (805) 884-0459
Beaches in Santa Barbara
6. Santa Claus Beach, Santa Barbara
Santa Claus Beach is located in the local town of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara.
Santa Claus Beach offers you spectacular ocean views, crystal clear waters, soft sands, vast landscapes, and tall palm trees.
Since Santa Claus Beach is not a top tourist spot, it never gets crowded. Therefore, it is perfect for relaxing family picnics and getting together with friends.
Also, you can enjoy tons of water activities like surfing, swimming, paddle boarding, boogie boarding, and splashing with your family. And if you are a beginner, this beach is perfect for you.
This beach features facilities like plenty of eateries, restaurants, beach rentals, and free parking near Santa Claus Lane.
Dogs with leashes are welcome to this beach. So, bring your doggy too.
Address: Santa Claus Beach, 005-010-025, Carpinteria, CA 93013, United States
Beaches in Santa Barbara
7. Beaches in Santa Barbara: West Beach
Located on the other side of East Beach, West Beach is a famous beach getaway in Santa Barbara too.
West Beach has everything for beach lovers. For example, it features all the water sports rentals, hotels, restaurants, a beachfront bike path called Cabrillo Bike Path, volleyball courts, a warm sunny climate, and boat launches.
Since West Beach stretches to the tourist hub of Stearns Wharf, it attracts millions of beach lovers annually.
However, boating and playing beach volleyball are the top things to do on West Beach. So, you can see many volleyball courts and boat rentals. Aside from that, you may see plenty of kayakers and paddleboarders too.
If you are good at swimming, West Beach is perfect for that. But, if you are with kids, the Los Banos public pool is the safest option.
After enjoying beach activities, you can eat delicious seafood from plenty of restaurants and visit Santa Barbara Sea Center with kids.
So, just add it to your bucket list.
Address: State St and W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, United States Phone: (805) 564-5433
Beaches in Santa Barbara
8. Carpinteria City Beach, Carpinteria
Carpinteria City Beach is a paradise for swimmers, featuring a laid-back atmosphere with gentle waves and a low slope of sand.
Actually, it is one of the safest beaches to swim with kids because it contains a protective reef along the shore and offers gentle waves. That’s why it calls “the world’s safest beach.”
Before swimming, you can kayak, paddleboard, play beach volleyball, build sandcastles, and walk along the beach with your family.
Aside from that, Carpinteria City Beach is famous for romantic sunsets, hiking, and birdwatching in nearby wetland habitat Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park.
Since Carpinteria State Beach is located next to this one, you can walk there too. Especially if you are looking for camping, Carpinteria State Beach features the best campgrounds in California.
Or you can continue walking to visit Rincon Point, one of the most famous surf breaks in the world.
The facilities on Carpinteria City Beach include lifeguards, beach rentals, beach homes, condos, showers, restrooms, picnic tables, snack bars, and cafes.
Address: 4975 Sandyland Rd, Carpinteria, CA 93013, United States Phone: (805) 684-2811
Beaches in Santa Barbara
9. Mesa Lane Beach, Santa Barbara
Mesa Lane Beach is a wild and hidden beach in Santa Barbara. (Surely check for the ide table as the beach disappears during high tide)
There’s a long staircase to get onto this beach. And once you get there, you will feel like another world and wanting come back again and again.
Mesa Lane Beach is perfect for sunbathing. Its intimate and secluded atmosphere with help you to release your stress. And Mesa Lake Steps are suitable for a thigh-burning beach workout.
This less crowded beach does not feature any facility, So, bring everything you want from home.
However, walking, sunbathing, enjoying scenic ocean views, and spending a day on Mesa Lane Beach will be an unforgettable experience of your travel life.
Address: 2341 Edgewater Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, United States Phone: (805) 564-5433
Beaches in Santa Barbara
10. Beaches in Santa Barbara: Summerland Beach
Located just 10 minutes south of Santa Barbara, Summerland Beach is another beautiful but not famous beach in the city.
Since it never gets overly crowded, you can experience a calm and quiet atmosphere all the time. So, you can listen to the soothing sounds of waves with your soulmate.
Summerland Beach features facilities like benches, picnic tables, a kids’ play area, a kids’ play area, and showers.
So, plan for a family picnic and have a great time on Summerland Beach, California.
Address: Beach Access, Summerland, CA 93067, United States
Beaches in Santa Barbara
11. Beaches in Santa Barbara: Goleta Beach Park
Located 15 minutes from Santa Barbara, Goleta Beach Park is famous for its 1,500-foot pier that offers astonishing views of the Pacific Ocean and romantic sunset.
Therefore, it considers a prime beach getaway in Santa Barbara for both locals and tourists.
Featuring gentle waves and crystal clear waters, Goleta Beach is perfect for swimming even with kids. Yeah, it is a kid-friendly beach. And there’s a children’s playground too.
Besides that, Goleta Beach is suitable for every watersport like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and boating. There are rental shops and guiding centers near the beach.
And also, this beach is famous for fishing. Since a safe and long pier is there, you can try fishing with your kids.
The other facilities of Goleta Beach Park are volleyball courts, biking trails, picnic tables, benches, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits, lifeguards, restrooms, and restaurants.
Come and have fun with your kids.
Address: 5986 Sandspit Rd, Goleta, CA 93117, United States Phone: (805) 568-2461
Beaches in Santa Barbara
12. Beaches in Santa Barbara: Loon Point Beach
Loon Point Beach defines with its steep rock formations, romantic vibe, clear waters, calm atmosphere.
Being one of the best swimming beach getaways in Santa Barbara, Loon Point Beach is perfect for escaping from the hustle and bustle world. Also, it is a romantic getaway for couples as well.
Apart from swimming, Loon Point Beach is suitable for sunbathing, beachcombing, tide pooling during low tide, and walking.
Actually, if you are into walking, you can walk from Loon Point Beach to Summerland Beach along the shore. The trail stretches for around a one-mile distance, and it is worth trying to enjoy spectacular views, wildlife, and nature during low tide.
Do not expect to have any facility on Loon Point Beach. So, bring everything you want.
Address: Loon Point Beach, Carpinteria, CA, United States
Beaches in Santa Barbara
- Leadbetter Beach
- East Beach
- Butterfly Beach
- Miramar Beach
- Arroyo Burro Beach County Park
- Santa Claus Beach
- West Beach
- Carpinteria City Beach
- Mesa Lane Beach
- Summerland Beach
- Goleta Beach Park
- Loon Point Beach
Beaches in Santa Barbara
