Best Beaches In & Near Santa Barbara

By The Beach Guide | Last Updated: August 25, 2023

Contents

Santa Barbara East Beach
Mussel Shoals Beach
More Mesa Beach
Goleta Beach Park
Emma Wood State Beach
San Buenaventura State Beach
Port Hueneme Beach
Jalama Beach County Park
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
Santa Barbara beaches map

Map featuring Santa Barbara beaches. Click on pins to view beach details

1. Santa Barbara East Beach

Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 0.5 hrs

East Beach is the archetypal Californian beach; the Pacific Ocean, golden sand, tall palm trees line the boulevard behind the beach, beach volleyball courts, lifeguard towers and the backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains rising steeply behind the city. The beach here is home to many of Santa Barbara's most upmarket hotels, however, development has been sympathetic so you won't find any of the high-rise blocks that blot many of… read more »
2. Mussel Shoals Beach

Harold Litwiler

Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 0.5 hrs

Situated in the north of Ventura County, just off Highway 101 is Mussel Shoals Beach. A pleasant stretch of golden sand backed by a clutch of low rise beachfront properties, the beach here has a fairly laid back vibe.
Probably the most recognizable feature of Mussel Shoals Beach is the long pier stretching out from mid beach. The pier leads out to a small island adorned with a number of palm trees.… read more »
3. More Mesa Beach

Brian

Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 0.5 hrs

More Mesa Beach near Santa Barbara is a secluded sandy beach between Arroyo Burro and Goleta Beach.
It is accessed from Mockingbird Lane in the Vista La Cumbre development, however there is no parking in that area so you need to park on Puente or Vieja Drive. Enter the park and walk about ¼ mile across the open cliff top towards the ocean and look for a steep path… read more »
4. Goleta Beach Park

Damian Gadal

Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 0.5 hrs
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5. Emma Wood State Beach

© DillyLynn

Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 1 hr
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6. San Buenaventura State Beach

Tony Webster

Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 1 hr
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7. Port Hueneme Beach

Alfher

Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 1 hr
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8. Jalama Beach County Park

John Murphy

Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 1.5 hrs
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9. Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

© Shawn Milar

Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 2 hrs
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