Quick picks
- Best all-rounder: East Beach, right in town by the wharf.
- Best for a beach day with little kids: East Beach, with a playground next to the sand.
- Best with a dog: Arroyo Burro (locals call it Hendry's), which has an off-leash stretch of beach.
- Best for a picnic with a view: Shoreline Park, on the bluff above the beach and harbor.
- Worth the drive: Carpinteria State Beach, 12 miles south.
Beaches in town
East Beach
The classic Santa Barbara beach, right next to Stearns Wharf and easy to reach from downtown and the Funk Zone. The park at its eastern end has more than a dozen beach volleyball courts, picnic spots, shade trees, and a playground, and a paved path runs along the waterfront for walking or biking. Leave the dog at home for this one: dogs aren't allowed on the sand.
West Beach, Leadbetter Beach, and Shoreline Park
On the other side of the wharf, the sand continues west toward the harbor. Leadbetter Beach sits just past it, and above that is Shoreline Park, a grassy bluff-top park with a playground for little ones, restrooms, a stairway down to the beach, and views of the Channel Islands. The city even marks a whale-watching area there, so bring binoculars.
Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry's)
A local favorite on the west side of town, below the bluffs next to the Douglas Family Preserve. It's good for swimming, surfing, and paddleboarding, and it has picnic tables, barbecue grills, restrooms with outdoor showers, and a beachfront restaurant and snack bar. Lifeguards are on duty in summer, and the county lends free beach wheelchairs. Dogs love it here: a couple of minutes' walk down the beach, past a small creek, they can run off leash, and there's a dog wash for the ride home.
Worth a short drive
Carpinteria State Beach
Twelve miles south of Santa Barbara, this state park has a mile of beach for swimming, surf fishing, and tide pool exploring, plus a campground. The town got its name from the beach's history: Spanish explorers watched the Chumash people building plank canoes here, sealed with natural tar, and called the spot "La Carpintería," the carpenter shop. Dogs are welcome in the campground and day-use area but not on the beach.
About the tar (don't worry, it's natural)
Every so often you might find small black spots of tar on the sand or on your feet. It comes from natural oil seeps on the ocean floor. The seep field off Coal Oil Point, near UC Santa Barbara, is one of the biggest natural oil and gas seeps in the world. A few easy tips:
- Pack a few wipes and a little baby oil or coconut oil for your feet.
- Keep an old towel in the car for sandy, tarry toes.
When to go
Any time of year works for a beach walk. For a quieter beach and easier parking, go on a weekday morning, and bring a layer in case the breeze picks up.
Conditions change. Parking fees, dog rules, and beach facilities can change. Check the city or State Parks website before you go.
FAQ
What is the best beach in Santa Barbara for swimming?
Arroyo Burro (Hendry's) has lifeguards in summer and is popular for swimming. Carpinteria State Beach, 12 miles south, has a mile of beach for swimming. Always swim near a lifeguard and check posted conditions.
Why is there tar on Santa Barbara beaches?
It comes from natural oil seeps on the sea floor. The Coal Oil Point seep field near UC Santa Barbara is one of the biggest natural oil and gas seeps in the world. Pack wipes and a little baby oil for your feet.
Which Santa Barbara beaches allow dogs?
Arroyo Burro (Hendry's) is the favorite: dogs must be leashed in the park but can run off leash past the small creek down the beach. Dogs aren't allowed on the sand at East Beach or on the beach at Carpinteria State Beach.
What is the best Santa Barbara beach for kids?
East Beach has a playground and lots of space, and Shoreline Park has a playground for little ones on the bluff above the beach.
Is Carpinteria State Beach worth the drive?
Yes. It's 12 miles south of Santa Barbara, with a mile of beach for swimming, tide pools, and camping.
Make a day of it
Pair the beach with a morning hike, catch the sunset, or see our Santa Barbara with kids and one-day itinerary guides.