8 Can’t-Miss Santa Barbara Beaches

Dog-lovers and their pups jump for joy over Arroyo Burro Beach, better known to locals as Hendry’s Beach. Load up your pooch and head to this flat, dog-friendly beach for a game of fetch along the water. Early mornings and late afternoons are better for snagging a spot in the on-site parking lot. Hungry after a day of beach play? Grab a seaside meal at the Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach, a local and visitor favorite. (Please note that while Arroyo Burro Beach is dog-friendly, the restaurant is not.)

Insider tip: Afterward, give Fido a bubble bath at the self-serve dog-washing station in the parking lot!

Photo credit: @lainnarv via Instagram

This long stretch of sand in Montecito makes for a serene beach stroll setting at any time of day. Before hitting this crowd-favorite beach, go shopping along Coast Village Road or sip a craft cocktail at Honor Bar or Lion’s Tale. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a famous celeb. Once your thirst has been quenched, sunbathe at Butterfly Beach while you catch up on your reading. Parking is available along the palm-lined street, with beach access via several stairways. Prefer to pedal? Rent a bike and cruise the Cabrillo Bike Path from Stearns Wharf, an easy three miles on flat, paved terrain.

Insider tip: Arrive early or linger late at Butterfly Beach. This Montecito locale faces west, making it one of the best places to catch a stunning sunrise or sunset.

Photo credit: @rollie2three via Instagram

Adventure-seeking visitors can enjoy a competitive game of volleyball at the numerous courts available along East Beach. If two wheels are more your style, rent a bike at Wheel Fun Rentals and ride along Cabrillo Boulevard, complete with cool coastal breezes and scenic beachfront views. Grab a bite to eat and a cocktail at beachfront Reunion Kitchen or Costa Restaurant, and admire the sailboats on the horizon on a delightfully sunny day at this iconic Santa Barbara beach. Getting there is easy; take advantage of street parking or one of several paid public lots.

Insider tip: Family-friendly East Beach sits right next to Stearns Wharf, making it a great choice for parents with its nearby playground and convenient cafes.

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Make the most of your beach time with a visit to this popular spot in Goleta, known as the “Good Land” for its rich coastal landscape. Cast a line off the Goleta Pier, or kick-start your weekend with a beachside barbecue. Goleta Beach Park also boasts a paved trail system that is popular with avid cyclists and casual riders alike. On weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day, take to the sea and rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard right on the sand from Paddle Sports Center.

Insider tip: Plan to stay the entire day! This playful beachfront location has both picnic and grill areas, volleyball courts and horseshoe pits.

Photo credit: Blake Bronstad

Just below The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is a long, beautiful ribbon of shoreline known as Haskell’s Beach — and you don’t have to be staying at the resort to access it. When you arrive, park in the designated beach parking lot by the tennis courts and take the public access dirt trail down to the beach for a day of fun in the sun along Goleta’s coastline. There’s even a beach house with public restrooms and an outdoor shower. The scenic waters also make for great kayaking with help from Santa Barbara Adventure Company, whose guided Gaviota Coast Kayak Tour departs from Haskell’s Beach.

Insider tip: During low tide, keep your eyes peeled for native critters in the tide pools scattered along the beach. You might find marine life like sea anemone, starfish, octopus and more.

Photo credit: @my_california_weekend via Instagram

Near the Santa Barbara Harbor and the breakwater, Leadbetter Beach is a popular location for longboard surfing, boogie boarding and stand-up paddleboarding. Known for its rather mild shorebreak, this beach is perfect for anyone looking to take a leisurely dip in the ocean. Need a midday snack break? Head to Shoreline Cafe for an order of fresh fish and chips or a beach burger to savor at the waterfront picnic tables. After enjoying the sand between your toes and splashing in the waves, rinse off in the convenient on-site showers — or make a beeline for your car in the nearby paid lot. Either way, Leadbetter Beach makes it easy to slip into that Santa Barbara state of mind.

Insider tip: Before you leave, take an extra few minutes to walk up to Shoreline Park, where you’ll be treated to a bird’s-eye view of the surfers below and get the best views of the Channel Islands.

For those wanting a relaxing, laid-back beach day, escape to Summerland Beach, around six miles south of Santa Barbara. Accessible via the cliffside Lookout Park, this locale is as welcoming as they come, with a small playground area for kids, a horseshoe setup and plenty of free public parking with an electric charging station. Bring your leashed pup along for a picturesque walk on the sand, or simply sit back and enjoy the surrounding beauty of this unassuming, south-facing beach. 

Insider tip: Not only is Summerland Beach dog-friendly, it’s horse-friendly, too. Book a sunset horseback riding tour with Los Padres Outfitters for an unbeatable experience touring the beaches and backgrounds of Summerland.

Tucked at the end of Eucalyptus Lane, Miramar Beach is a hidden gem that even locals may not know about. This peaceful stretch unfolds in front of private homes and the Rosewood Miramar Beach’s waterfront suites, giving it an exclusive vibe. Day-visitors can frolic on the shore along the public beach area, reached via the Eucalyptus Lane Beach Access pathway. On-site parking is limited to a tiny lot, but if that’s full, you’ll find additional street parking just across the railroad tracks.

Insider tip: Even if you aren’t staying at Rosewood Miramar Beach, you can still stop in for drinks at The Manor Bar or enjoy an elegant meal at the Michelin-rated Caruso’s.

Photo credit: Blake Bronstad