"Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark, or
the man afraid of the light?"
No matter what kind of beach you like best or which seaside activity
you prefer, you’ll find the perfect stretch of sand along Santa
Barbara County’s 100 miles of spectacular coastline. Swim, surf,
picnic, play volleyball, build sandcastles, sunbathe, or take
advantage of the excellent wildlife viewing on Santa Barbara’s
beaches. Explore the tidepools, watch for the abundance of rare bird
species, and spot whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions. The
beaches west of Santa Barbara offer some of the best vantages for
viewing migrating gray whales January through March and migrating
blue and humpback whales June through October. Many area beaches
also feature splendid bike paths. For maps, contact Traffic
Solutions (805-963-SAVE, www.sbcag.org). Most beaches offer
restrooms and barbecue pits, while more remote beaches offer greater
solitude and adventure. Day-use facilities include telephones,
restrooms, and picnic areas. Lifeguards are on-duty during summer
months except where noted.
Download the "Beaches" section of the official visitor guide to
Santa Barbara County.
(This file is approximately 25 MB and requires
Adobe's free program
Acrobat Reader to be viewed).
Indicates a member of the Santa Barbara Conference & Visitor Bureau
and Film Commission.
Santa Barbara Area
Santa Barbara is a city blessed with beautiful beaches. Perhaps the
most popular is the broad, palm-lined strip perpendicular to State
Street. It stretches from the creamy sands of East Beach (often
hailed as one of the best beaches in the country), to West Beach at
the harbor mouth, and Leadbetter Beach beyond. With its stunning
mountain backdrop, wide range of facilities, and easy accessibility,
this stretch of coast is a favorite with visitors and locals alike.
Sunbathing, swimming, surfing, fishing, kayaking, and volleyball are
just some of the activities you can enjoy here.
Arroyo
Burro Beach County Park, 805-568-2461
Beach
House, The, 805-963-1281
Channel
Islands Surfboards, 805-966-7213
East
Beach, 805-564-5418
Leadbetter
Beach, 805-564-5418
Mesa
Lane, 805-568-2461
Sands
Beach, 805-568-2461
West
Beach, 805-564-5418
State & County Beaches
For many people, “Santa Barbara” means “sunny beaches.” But there’s
more here than just the iconic stretch of palm-lined sand. From
Carpinteria’s “World’s Safest Beach,” to the towering dunes of
Guadalupe, and Rincon –- one of the hottest surf breaks in the
world-- Santa Barbara County has a strip of sand for everyone.
Gaviota
State Park, 805-968-1033
Butterfly
Beach, 805-568-2461
Carpinteria
State Beach, 805-684-2811
El
Capitan State Beach, 805-968-1033
Goleta
Beach County Park, 805-568-2461
Guadalupe-Nipomo
Dunes Preserve, 760-731-7790
Jalama
Beach County Park & Campground, 805-568-2461
Refugio
State Beach, 805-968-1033
Rincon
Beach County Park, 805-568-2461
Summerland
Beach, 805-568-2461
