10 Best Beaches In Santa Barbara-[for 2023]
If you are looking for a beautiful beach in Santa Barbara for your vacation, we have compiled a list of the best beaches in Santa Barbara for you. When you sink your feet into the sand in crystal clear water and white sand and the melodious sound of the waves hitting your ears make you really feel far away from the stresses of routine life.
Santa Barbara beaches also offer all kinds of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including surfing, swimming, snorkeling, and volleyball or strolling around the pier, there are many activities that you can do and enjoy in the area. can. Here you can enjoy the whole day in the sun. Here’s a look at the 10 best beaches in Santa Barbara in our list below.
1. Leadbetter Beach
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Leadbetter Beach is a great place for surfing and swimming, it’s pretty close to Santa Barbara College, so you can find students hanging out here during lunch. It is a very beautiful beach with many useful facilities.
Leadbetter Beach offers stunning sunset views along with its soft powdery sand dunes and majestic waves. Leadbetter Beach is one of the great beaches in Santa Barbara and is a top destination for tourists and locals alike to have fun and enjoy the sun! You can also enjoy picnics here and there are restrooms and outdoor showers for public use making it an even more wonderful option. There are also restaurants where you can enjoy your meal and there are nice grassy areas.
The waves on its western side are very calm, making it perfect for beginners in surfing, and Leadbetter Beach is considered the best beach for BBQ with friends and family.
2. East Beach
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East Beach is one of Santa Barbara’s most spectacular beaches, stretching east from Stearns Wharf, 1.6 miles wide. East Beach is a favorite destination for volleyball, tournaments are also often held here so that both players and spectators can enjoy the game and there are many nets to practice the game.
There are many things to see at this beach, apart from volleyball, East Beach also hosts a local art fair on the promenade every Sunday and one can also enjoy water sports at East Beach, all kinds of things to do at East Beach. There are water sports. If you have kids with you, kids will love Skater’s Point skate park. There is also plenty of sunbathing space on East Beach and the sunset views are spectacular too.
3. Miramar Beach
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If you are looking for a beach with a calm atmosphere, Miramar Beach can be a great option for you. Miramar Beach is known for its beautiful view and fresh water. Miramar Beach is one of the best beaches in Santa Barbara.
It is a hidden gem that offers something for every type of beach lover. It also offers you a stunning view of the lovely little houses by the beach along with the serene atmosphere which makes it even more spectacular.
You can also enjoy surfing, swimming, and jogging along with pristine sand dunes and crystal clear waters at this place. The best time to visit Miramar beach is during low tide and remember Miramar beach has no facilities.
4. West Beach
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West Beach, one of the best beaches in Santa Barbara, extends west from the main waterfront tourist center of Stearns Wharf. West Beach offers a slew of activities for travelers to enjoy.
Here you can enjoy water sports, enjoy making sand sculptures and also enjoy sunbathing. Boating and beach volleyball are the top things to do here on West Beach, and safe places to take a dip in the Los Banos Public Pool and West Beach Wading Pool steps from the sand. There are over a dozen volleyball nets on the beach that you can enjoy. West Beach is a great place to enjoy with your friends, and loved ones.
5. Butterfly Beach
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Buttery Beach, located in upscale Montecito, is one of the best beaches in Santa Barbara. If you are looking for a peaceful environment, then Buttery Beach can be a good option for you.
Here you can enjoy sunbathing and is one of the best places in the area for a long walk along with spectacular sunset views. Many beaches face south, but Buttery Beach faces west which makes it even more spectacular. Buttery Beach is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year.
6. Carpinteria State Beach
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Carpinteria State Beach is a great beach to visit with family, the waters are much calmer than other Santa Barbara beaches. This beach is one of the safest beaches for kids and you can enjoy swimming with the little ones.
It is a great place to see all kinds of wildlife and if you want to take a break from swimming, the local town of Carpinteria also has some nice shops and eateries where you can enjoy eating. Carpinteria State Beach also has some picnic tables and restrooms, making it one of the best beaches in Santa Barbara.
7. Mesa Lane Beach
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Mesa Lane Beach, a hidden gem in Santa Barbara, is also a favorite of locals. This sandy paradise is located in a secluded part of a residential area, but the greenery and spectacular views of Mesa Lane Beach will fill you with joy as soon as you step on this beach for the first time. Here you can enjoy the spectacular views as well as sunbathe.
Mesa Lane Beach is a challenge to get to, as you’ll have to walk down very long stairs to get to the beach, you’ll have to walk all the way through at the end of the day, so be sure to save some energy for the return trip as well. Mesa Lane can be a good option for those looking for solitude. Here just beware of the high tide, at high tide, the coast disappears under all the crashing surf.
8. Goleta Beach Park
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Goleta Beach Park is one of the best beaches in Santa Barbara, offering stunning views of the Pacific Coast. Goleta Beach Park is popular with tourists and locals alike.
There are horseshoe pits, picnic tables, barbecues, volleyball courts, paddleboards, kayaks, and other water sports equipment that can be rented on the beach. There is also a fishing pier as well as bike trails and a playground.
Here you can also enjoy swimming along with the gentle waves of water. There is a restaurant here to satisfy your hunger where you can enjoy a meal and also enjoy the spectacular sunset.
9. Santa Claus Beach
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Santa Claus Beach is located in Carpinteria, a short drive from downtown Santa Barbara. Santa Claus Beach, known for its clear waters and tall palm trees, is a local favorite beach.
It can be a great option to have fun and hang out with friends. Santa Claus Beach has plenty of good facilities like eateries and beach equipment rentals, where you can enjoy paddle boarding and swimming. If you get hungry, you can head to the various restaurants in the bay and enjoy their delicious food which makes it even more spectacular.
10. Loon Point Beach
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If you are looking for a less crowded beach in Santa Barbara, then Loon Point is a great option for you. Loon Point is a hidden gem and the perfect destination for couples.
Here you can enjoy swimming, or enjoy sunbathing. You’ll see more locals than tourists at Loon Point, surrounded by tall, steep cliffs. But note that you will not and any facilities on the beach, so pack your essentials well.