Best Beaches In & Near Santa Barbara

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Contents
  1. Santa Barbara East Beach
  2. Mussel Shoals Beach
  3. More Mesa Beach
  4. Goleta Beach Park
  5. Emma Wood State Beach
  6. San Buenaventura State Beach
  7. Port Hueneme Beach
  8. Jalama Beach County Park
  9. Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
  10. Santa Barbara beaches map
Map featuring Santa Barbara beaches. Click on pins to view beach details

  • 1. Santa Barbara East Beach

    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

    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

    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

    Goleta Beach Park
    Damian Gadal

    Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 0.5 hrs

    read more »

  • 5. Emma Wood State Beach

    Emma Wood State Beach
    © DillyLynn

    Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 1 hr

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  • 6. San Buenaventura State Beach

    San Buenaventura State Beach
    Tony Webster

    Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 1 hr

    read more »

  • 7. Port Hueneme Beach

    Port Hueneme Beach
    Alfher

    Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 1 hr

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  • 8. Jalama Beach County Park

    Jalama Beach County Park
    John Murphy

    Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 1.5 hrs

    Jalama Beach is set on a remote stretch of the Santa Barbara County coastline. It is a rugged and windswept expanse of sand known for its natural beauty, good surf, and relative remoteness. Tucked away at the end of a long, winding road off Highway 1, this hidden gem offers visitors a true escape from the busier beaches of Southern California.

    Jalama beach is a favourite among surfers, thanks to… read more »

  • 9. Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

    Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
    © Shawn Milar

    Travel time from Santa Barbara: approx 2 hrs

    The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes is one of the largest coastal dune ecosystems in California, stretching along the coast between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. This vast and dynamic landscape features towering sand dunes, pristine beaches, and a rich diversity of plant and animal life. It is part of the larger dunes complex and a key site for both conservation and outdoor recreation.

    Visitors can hike through rolling sand hills,… read more »

More beaches near Santa Barbara