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Located in the chic and laid-back village of Montecito, Butterfly Beach is a favorite among Santa Barbara locals. The beach’s pristine shoreline is ideal for swimming, surfing and sunbathing, and its unique east-west orientation makes for some truly spectacular sunrises AND sunsets. Spend the better part of your day lounging with a good book, or venture into the ocean and take on the waves in a kayak. Keep your eyes peeled and you might even see a star or two—Montecito is home to several celebs. Whatever activities you include in your day by the sea, Butterfly Beach is the perfect setting. Things to Do at Butterfly Beach Butterfly Beach attracts locals, vacationers, relaxing sunbathers, adrenaline-junkie surfers, and everyone in between. Bring a kayak or stand up paddleboard and you’ll be in good company, too. Beachgoers can see the Channel Islands just 20 miles west and have a good chance of spotting dolphins and whales in the distance. Many locals bring their dogs to Butterfly Beach and walk along the water (dogs are permitted on-leash). There are no public facilities at Butterfly Beach, but Coast Village Road is a five-minute walk from the beach and has many food, drink and retail options. How to Get to Butterfly Beach Butterfly Beach is easily accessible from Downtown Santa Barbara via 10-minute drive or 15-minute bike ride. From Santa Barbara, follow Highway 101 to Olive Mill Road, which turns into Channel Drive. As you near the shoreline, Channel Drive will bend to the left. Park on either side of Channel Drive or on Butterfly Lane if Channel Drive is full. You can also rent a bike and ride the Cabrillo Bike Path from Stearns Wharf to Butterfly Park. The path is an easy three miles on flat, paved surfaces. Arriving by bike will put you at an advantage on weekends when parking tends to fill up quickly.
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Located along Shoreline Drive and directly adjacent to the Santa Barbara Harbor, sits Leadbetter Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Santa Barbara. The beach is flanked by green grass and showcases an expansive strip of sand lining the beautiful blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. And, because of its proximity to both the Harbor and the base of Santa Barbara City College, Leadbetter Beach is a top spot for tourists, locals and college students. The beach’s amenities include restrooms, outdoor shows, picnic areas, grills and lifeguard stations. Things to Do at Leadbetter Beach Surfing, boogie boarding, stand-up paddleboarding, and general beach lounging are some of the most popular things to do at Leadbetter Beach. The beach boasts a light surf, making it a great spot for beginners. For kayak, paddleboard and surfboard rentals, visit nearby Paddle Sports Center. Due to Leadbetter Beach’s flat stand and stunning views, many area yoga studios set up outdoor beachfront classes throughout the week. There’s nothing like breathing in the fresh ocean air to reset your chi. If you’re wanting to spend some time off the beach, take a short walk up to Shoreline Park. Here, you’ll be treated to an aerial view of Leadbetter Beach and The Channel Islands. Perhaps you’ll even be able to spot dolphins or whales swimming in the distance. Where to Eat at Leadbetter Beach Serving Santa Barbara since 1997, Shoreline Café is located directly on Leadbetter Beach. Dine with your toes in the sand or on their shaded deck while enjoying traditional beach fare. Shoreline Café offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4-6pm. A little further away, but still within walking distance, visit the handful of restaurants at the Santa Barbara harbor that offer to-go fare that can be enjoyed picnic-style on the sand. A few recommendations include On the Alley, Brophy Brothers and Sushi Go Go. How to Get to Leadbetter Beach Leadbetter Beach is at the base of Santa Barbara City College and adjacent to the Santa Barbara Harbor. Take Highway 101 north and exit on Garden Street; or take Highway 101 south and exit on Castillo Street. From there, turn south towards the ocean and right on Cabrillo Blvd. Once you’ve passed the Santa Barbara Harbor, Leadbetter Beach will be to your left.
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Located just ten minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, Arroyo Burro Beach is often referred to by locals as Hendry’s Beach. This beach is known for its winding coastline and light surf. Arroyo Burro Beach is also surrounded by tall bluffs that lead visitors to a variety of parks and trails, such as the Douglas Family Preserve and Elings Park. Things to Do at Arroyo Burro Beach Arroyo Burro Beach is the perfect beach for families because of its mild surf and proximity to local parks. Here, popular activities include bodyboarding, fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing and swimming. Visitors also enjoy taking walks along the coastline and sunbathing. Off the beach, we recommend visiting the Douglas Family Preserve which features some of the most pristine terrain in the area. The 70-acre reserve is an undeveloped park with a variety of trails that offer beautiful ocean and beach views. It’s also a great spot for watching local marine life such as dolphins and whales. This park is particularly popular for dog owners as its one of the only parks in Santa Barbara that offers off-leash areas. Dogs at Arroyo Burro Beach Like Douglas Family Preserve, Arroyo Burro Beach is also dog friendly. While dogs must always be leashed on the beach, your four-legged friends can swim, take walks along the bluffs, or get a bath at one of the beach’s self-serve washing stations. Boathouse Restaurant Also located at Arroyo Burro Beach is the Boathouse Restaurant. Offering pristine ocean views and a robust menu, this is a great place to grab a bite while enjoying the beach and surrounding trails. Boathouse serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as an extensive wine list and Happy Hour menu. How to Get to Arroyo Burro Beach Arroyo Burro Beach is five miles west of the city center. If coming from Highway 101, visitors will take the Las Positas Road exit and drive south to Cliff Dr. From there, turn right and drive half a mile to the park’s entrance.
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Marked by a tall Southern Pacific railroad trestle that crosses the winding Gaviota Creek, Gaviota State Park is a popular spot for swimming, picnicking, fishing, camping and hiking. The park is located 33 miles west of Santa Barbara, making it an ideal locale for a quick day trip. Gaviota State Park Beach Surprisingly enough, many locals don’t even know about this Santa Barbara hidden gem. From the parking lot, visitors meander under the train trestle to get to the water. There are lifeguards on duty, as well as plenty of room for walking, swimming and other beach-day activities. Beach wheelchairs are also available to rent. Find more information on amenities and accessibility. Hiking Trails & Gaviota Peak Within its 2,000-plus acres of oak woodland and chaparral backcountry, the park offers nearly a dozen hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty. Advanced hikers will enjoy the Overlook Fire Road trail, a three-mile loop that ends with sweeping vistas of the Channel Islands. For an even bigger challenge, the strenuous six-mile hike to the 2,485-foot Gaviota Peak rewards with panoramic views of the Lompoc Valley. Visitors can also hike from the parking lot to the nearby Gaviota Hot Springs—about 2.5 miles—for a relaxing soak in the healing mineral waters. Discover more hiking trails in Santa Barbara. Gaviota State Park Campground There are 41 campsites available that can accommodate tents, trailers (up to 25 feet) and RVs (up to 27 feet). Campground amenities include restrooms and showers, picnic tables and barbecue pits. Reserve your stay by visiting ReserveCalifornia.com. Explore more campgrounds and RV parks in Santa Barbara. History of Gaviota State Park Gaviota State Park played a significant part in Santa Barbara’s early history. In 1769, Spanish officer Gaspar de Portolá and his crew landed in The American Riviera® while sailing along the California coastline. The soldiers named the area “La Gaviota,” the Spanish word for seagull. Nearly a century later, American explorer John C. Frémont marched toward Santa Barbara through what is now known as Gaviota Pass. It was on his journey that he and his soldiers seized Santa Barbara from the Spanish. Flash forward to 2004, when the beach was made famous after being featured in the Oscar-nominated movie “Sideways.” Amenities & Accessibility Along with hiking trails and campgrounds, Gaviota State Park offers a host of amenities, including picnic tables, restrooms and showers. For visitors in wheelchairs or with mobility needs, the park has beach wheelchairs (reservations only), as well as ADA-compliant showers and restrooms in the campgrounds. To find out more about amenities and accessibility, please give the park office a call at 805-968-1033. Directions & Parking From Santa Barbara, drive up-coast (west) some 30 miles on Highway 101. Just as the highway makes a dramatic bend north, you’ll spot a sign for Gaviota State Park. Merge into the left turn lane and turn left across the highway onto the state park entry road. The park road leads to a kiosk (parking fee required) and then down to the beach. Other Things to Know Before You Go Due to its location on the Santa Barbara coastline, the park is known for occasional wind advisories. Check the weather or reach out to the park directly to assess weather conditions prior to your visit.
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Located just 6 miles south of Santa Barbara is Summerland Beach at Lookout Park. Known for its laidback vibes, Summerland Beach is the perfect oceanfront venue for rest and relaxation. Its proximity to the park also makes it an ideal location for an all-day affair. The area offers amenities such as grills, outdoor games, picnic tables, playground, volleyball court, restrooms, and more, available from 8 a.m. to sunset. If you plan to bring man’s best friend, but please be mindful that dogs are required to remain on their leash. Things to Do at Summerland Beach Summerland Beach is the only beach on Santa Barbara’s South Coast where people can go horseback riding on the beach. The local tour company Los Padres Outfitters offers two-hour guided horseback rides on both the sand and throughout the backcountry of Summerland. The beach also boasts pristine, smooth waters which makes it a popular spot for paddle boarding, kayaking and light swimming. While at Summerland Beach, we also recommend taking a short walk to Loon Point, another favorite among locals. This spot is known for its tidepools and surf break. Summerland Beach Café A block away from the sand and the sea sits Summerland Beach Café. The café was opened in 1981 inside of a historic Victorian home that dates back to the mid-1800s. The menu features home-style cooking for breakfast and lunch. Guests and their furry friends can choose to sit inside on the front porch overlooking downtown or on the cozy, wooded back patio. How to Get to Summerland Beach After arriving in Summerland, take a turn on to Evans Avenue and head towards the beach. From there, drive under Highway 101 where you’ll see the entrance to Lookout Park.
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