Santa Barbara Beaches: A Local's Guide (and What to Bring)

The best beaches in Santa Barbara for most visitors are East Beach for space and people-watching, Leadbetter for families and paddling, Arroyo Burro (Hendry's) for a relaxed local scene, and Butterfly Beach in Montecito for sunsets. Each has a different personality, so the right one depends on your plans for the day. Wherever you land, pack light layers and a quick-drying Turkish towel, because the coast here can go from sunny to breezy in an afternoon.

We are Riviera Towel Co., a Turkish towel and coastal gift shop in downtown Santa Barbara, and these beaches are where our towels get their workout. Here is a simple guide to the local favorites and what to bring to each.

What are the best beaches in Santa Barbara?

The most popular Santa Barbara beaches are East Beach, West Beach, Leadbetter Beach, Arroyo Burro Beach and Butterfly Beach, with Goleta Beach and the state beaches along the Gaviota coast a short drive away. Most of the city's shoreline faces south, which gives it a calmer, sunnier feel than much of the California coast.

A quick note before you go: parking, fees, dog rules, fire rules and hours can change and vary by beach. Please check current rules with the City of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County or California State Parks before you head out.

Which Santa Barbara beach is best for your kind of day?

Pick East Beach for groups, Leadbetter for families and water sports, Hendry's for a laid-back local afternoon and Butterfly Beach for golden hour. The table below sums it up.

Beach	The vibe	Best for	What to bring
East Beach	Wide, sandy and lively, near Stearns Wharf	Groups, volleyball, long beach days	Two towels per person, a big beach blanket, a hat
West Beach	Between Stearns Wharf and the harbor, close to downtown	A quick beach stop between errands or lunch	One lightweight towel and a tote
Leadbetter Beach	Often calmer water by the harbor, below Shoreline Park	Families, paddleboarding, beginner surfing	Quick-dry towels, a change of clothes, a cover-up
Arroyo Burro (Hendry's)	Relaxed and local, with a creek and bluffs	Tide pooling, long walks, a casual meal nearby	A towel that doubles as a wrap, layers for later
Butterfly Beach	Narrow, scenic strip of sand in Montecito	Sunsets and slow afternoons	A compact towel and a cozy throw
Goleta Beach	Family-friendly county beach with a pier	Picnics and easygoing days near UCSB	A picnic blanket and plenty of snacks

What is East Beach like?

East Beach is Santa Barbara's big, classic city beach, with a wide stretch of sand east of Stearns Wharf and the beachfront path running alongside it. It is the easiest choice when you have a crowd, kids or a full day to fill.

You will often see volleyball games, families set up for the afternoon and people biking or strolling along the path. Because there is so much room, it is a good place to spread out a large beach blanket and let everyone claim a corner.

Where should families go: Leadbetter or West Beach?

Leadbetter Beach is usually the family pick thanks to its often calmer water near the harbor, and West Beach is the convenient option when you are already downtown. Both are close to the harbor and Stearns Wharf, so you can easily mix beach time with a walk or a bite to eat.

Leadbetter sits below Shoreline Park, and it is popular with paddleboarders and people learning to surf. If you are in and out of the water all day, bring towels that dry fast, so you are not packing a soggy bundle back to the car. For a full rundown of beach towel options, read our guide to the best beach towels for Santa Barbara.

Why do locals love Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry's)?

Locals love Hendry's because it feels relaxed and unfussy, with a creek, sandstone bluffs and room to walk for a long way at lower tides. It is a beach for wandering rather than staking out a spot for six hours.

It is also a popular place for dog owners, though leash and off-leash rules can differ by area and change over time, so check current rules before you bring your pup. Pack a towel you can throw over your shoulders as a wrap for the walk back, plus a layer for when the breeze picks up.

Is Butterfly Beach good for sunset?

Yes. Butterfly Beach in Montecito is one of the most loved sunset spots in the area, with a narrow strip of sand below a low seawall and long views down the coast. Arrive early, bring something to sit on and expect company on a clear evening.

Because the beach is narrow, a compact, lightweight towel works better than bulky gear. Once the sun drops, things cool off quickly, so a soft throw like the Whistler Fleece Wrap Throw (from $68.98) makes the evening much more comfortable.

Are there quieter beaches near Santa Barbara?

For more elbow room, head west toward Goleta Beach or further up the Gaviota coast to Refugio and El Capitan state beaches, or south toward Carpinteria. These are easy day trips with a different, more open feel than the downtown beaches.

Closer to town, the stairs at Mesa Lane lead down from the Mesa neighborhood to a stretch of beach below the bluffs that is best explored at lower tides. Always check a tide chart before you go and keep an eye on the water, since some sections of beach narrow quickly as the tide comes in.

What should I bring to a Santa Barbara beach?

Bring a quick-drying towel, sun protection, water, a light layer and a tote big enough to carry it all. Santa Barbara mornings can start foggy under the marine layer, and evenings often turn cool, so plan for both sun and breeze.

Our short version:

• A Turkish towel or two. The Essential Turkish Towel (from $29.98) sheds sand, dries fast and folds flat.
• A beach blanket for groups. The Todos Santos Beach Blanket (from $78) gives everyone a spot.
• A cover-up or wrap for lunch, the walk back or a breezy afternoon. Our beach cover-ups guide explains the options.
• A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Water and snacks, plus a bag to pack out your trash.
• A warm layer for late afternoon and sunset.

For the full checklist, see what to pack in a beach bag.

Where can I buy beach towels in Santa Barbara?

You can pick up Turkish beach towels, blankets, totes and hats at Riviera Towel Co., 17 W. Gutierrez St., just off State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, or shop the beach collection online. Our towels are hand-loomed from Turkish cotton in Turkey, with colorways designed right here in Santa Barbara.

If you want a souvenir that actually gets used, the LOVE from Santa Barbara Beach Towels (from $48.98) and the Santa Barbara Embroidered Towel (from $36.98) are local favorites. Our "Buy 2, save 10%" offer applies automatically on Riviera towels, blankets and robes, which is handy when everyone in the car wants their own color.

FAQ

What is the best beach in Santa Barbara?

It depends on your day. East Beach is best for groups and space, Leadbetter Beach is a favorite for families and paddling, Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry's) is relaxed and local, and Butterfly Beach in Montecito is known for sunsets.

Which Santa Barbara beach is best for families?

Leadbetter Beach is a common family pick because of its location by the harbor and its popularity for paddling and learning to surf. East Beach is also a good choice when you need lots of room to spread out.

Are Santa Barbara beaches dog friendly?

Some beaches and beach areas allow dogs and others do not, and rules can change. Arroyo Burro Beach is popular with dog owners, but please check current rules with the city, county or state park before you bring your dog.

When is the best time to go to the beach in Santa Barbara?

Many locals love late summer and early fall, when the marine layer often burns off sooner. Any time of year, plan for cooler mornings and evenings and bring a light layer.

What should I pack for a Santa Barbara beach day?

Pack a quick-drying Turkish towel, a beach blanket if you are with a group, sunscreen, a hat, water, snacks, a cover-up and a warm layer for the evening. Bring a bag to pack out your trash too.

Ready for a beach day? Visit our shop at 17 W. Gutierrez St. in Santa Barbara or call 805-560-1571. We offer free shipping on orders over $95, and 5% of our net profits go to organizations that heal and protect the ocean we all love, with $76,439.30 donated so far.