BEACHES OF SANTA BARBARA

The beaches in Santa Barbara County really are something special. The sun-drenched shoreline stretches for miles and miles. Check out the following listings for a variety of possibilities.

Arroyo Burro Beach
A 13-acre park off Cliff Drive near Hope Ranch, fives west of downtown, just west of Las Positas Road.  Known to Santa Barbanans as Hendry's Beach.   Snack bar, beachside restaurant, showers and dressing rooms.  Popular place to walk dogs.

The Breakwater and Yacht Harbor
Off W. Cabrillo Blvd just past Castillo Street.  A half-mile scenic walking tour past the yacht club, restaurants, tackle and gift stores.  A sandy strip of beach lies at the end of the Breakwater.  Coastal cruises, fishing, salting, boats for rent or charter.  The Fisherman's Market attracts folks every Saturday morning.

Butterfly Beach
A narrow, sandy strip with a panoramic view of the city.   Located on Channel Drive in front of the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel, east of Cabrillo Blvd.

Carpinteria City Beach
Located at the foot of Linden Ave., stretching to Ash St., in Carpinteria.  A gently sloping shelf and mild waves have earned it the title "World's Safest Beach."

Carpinteria State Beach
Enter off Barn Ave., (Highway 224) in Carpinteria. Camper, trailer and tent sites.  For reservations, call 1-800-444-7275.   Lifeguards and rangers, amphitheater, volleyball court and picnic areas.

East Beach
Stretches along Cabrillo Blvd. east of Sterns wharf. This is the place for sand volleyball! A 44-acre haven with 16 volleyball courts, playground and patio cafe. Volleyball rentals, weight room ($2.50 general), lockers and showers ($2.50, cost included if you workout) at the Cabrillo Pavilion Bathhouse on weekends from 8 am – 6 pm.

El Capitan State Beach
15 miles west of Santa Barbara, heading north on Highway 101.   Rugged and glorious, this long, narrow beach is next to tree-filled camping sites.   Hot pay showers, restrooms, store and bike path.  For reservations, call 1-800-44 7275.

Gaviota State Beach Park
Located on Highway 101, 32 miles west of Santa Barbara. Camping, pier fishing and swimming.  Campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. 968-1033.

Goleta Beach
29-acre park located at the Sandspit Road turnoff on Ward Memorial Blvd. (Highway 217) in Goleta.  A resting spot for many species of migratory waterfowl.  Barbecues, volleyball courts, snack bar; horseshoe pits, patio restaurant and a fishing pier.

Isla Vista Beach
2,000 feet of sandy beach.  A grassy area for sports located on bluff above beach, accessible by several sets of steps.  From Highway 101, take Los Carneros Road to lsla Vsta, turn right on Fl Colegio Road.  Continue south to Camino Corto.

Leadbetter Beach
27.3 acres located at Shoreline Drive and Loma Alta, across from Santa Barbara City College.  The Santa Barbara coastline wraps around the beach here, forming a picturesque spot protected from off-shore breezes.  Outdoor restaurant, volleyball courts and showers.

Refugio State Beach
Off Highway 101, 18 miles west of Santa Barbara. Scenic coastal -lined with palms.  Camping right by the beach.  For reservations, call 1-800-444-7275.

Rincon Beach
Three miles east of Carpinteria at the Santa Barbara-Ventura county line.  From Highway 101, take the Bates Road turnoff south to the park entrance.   Surfers consider the waves on this beach among the best in California.

Stearns Wharf
Separates East Beach from West Beach at the south end of Stale St.  One of the oldest working wharves in the state.  Shops, restaurants, wine tasting, harbor and coastal cruises, whale-watching trips, para-sailing, pier fishing and a great view of Santa Barbara's Riviera.

West Beach
Parallels Cabrillo Blvd. west of Stearns Wharf, 11.5 acres.  A wide, sandy beach close to beach rentals, shops, restaurants and a bike path.  At the west end there's an outdoor waling pool for wee folks and Los Banos Del Mar Pool for lap swimmers ($2.50 general).