The Best Beaches in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is known for miles and its white sand beaches. Most weekend visitors only get to see the East Beach or West Beach. But Santa Barbara shore offers more than that.
Here are our recommendation for Santa Barbara beaches based on your intended activity:
1. Best Beach for Sunbathing - Hendry's Beach
Arguably the most picturesque beach in Santa Barbara, Hendry's Beach is perfect for sunbathing as well as long walks along the beach. It's away from the hustle and bustles of downtown area, it has a small restaurant on the beach, and long sandy shore along the cliff side.
2. Best Beach for BBQ/Picnic - Goleta Beach
This beach has it all: multiple picnic tables, multiple picnic spots for groups that can be reserved ahead of time, restrooms, and even an onsite restaurant. There's a wharf where you often see people fishing and groups of pelicans hanging out.
On weekends, the beach is popular with local families having birthday celebration or get togethers with relatives and friends.
3. Best Beach for Surfing - Campus Point
The surf breaks far from the shore. The water is shallow up to 100m from the beach. It's beginner-friendly beach for those are new to surfing. Its proximity to the University of California Santa Barbara also means having a college town feel to it.
Technically not in Santa Barbara proper, it's a 15 minute drive from downtown. There are no rentals around so make sure to bring your own board or rent one from a place downtown.
4. Best Beach for People Watching - West Beach
No doubt the West Beach at the end of State Street is the ultimate people watching spot. There's a running trail along the beach and stores lining the street. Tourists, along with locals flock to this beach on sunny days to spend time on Stearn's Wharf and enjoy the expansive view of the ocean and the surrounding hillside.
5. Best Beach for Celebrity Spotting - Butterfly Beach
Located across from the Biltmore Hotel, hanging around Butterfly Beach is your best chance to catch sightings of a celebrity or two. It's a beautiful beach on its own right. There are no amenities and it's a dog friendly beach.
Whatever it is that you want to do, Santa Barbara has just the perfect beach for you.
Here are our recommendation for Santa Barbara beaches based on your intended activity:
1. Best Beach for Sunbathing - Hendry's Beach
Arguably the most picturesque beach in Santa Barbara, Hendry's Beach is perfect for sunbathing as well as long walks along the beach. It's away from the hustle and bustles of downtown area, it has a small restaurant on the beach, and long sandy shore along the cliff side.
2. Best Beach for BBQ/Picnic - Goleta Beach
This beach has it all: multiple picnic tables, multiple picnic spots for groups that can be reserved ahead of time, restrooms, and even an onsite restaurant. There's a wharf where you often see people fishing and groups of pelicans hanging out.
On weekends, the beach is popular with local families having birthday celebration or get togethers with relatives and friends.
3. Best Beach for Surfing - Campus Point
The surf breaks far from the shore. The water is shallow up to 100m from the beach. It's beginner-friendly beach for those are new to surfing. Its proximity to the University of California Santa Barbara also means having a college town feel to it.
Technically not in Santa Barbara proper, it's a 15 minute drive from downtown. There are no rentals around so make sure to bring your own board or rent one from a place downtown.
4. Best Beach for People Watching - West Beach
No doubt the West Beach at the end of State Street is the ultimate people watching spot. There's a running trail along the beach and stores lining the street. Tourists, along with locals flock to this beach on sunny days to spend time on Stearn's Wharf and enjoy the expansive view of the ocean and the surrounding hillside.
5. Best Beach for Celebrity Spotting - Butterfly Beach
Located across from the Biltmore Hotel, hanging around Butterfly Beach is your best chance to catch sightings of a celebrity or two. It's a beautiful beach on its own right. There are no amenities and it's a dog friendly beach.
Whatever it is that you want to do, Santa Barbara has just the perfect beach for you.
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