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If you've got a friendly dog(s), this is a great place to go: both for the easy access leashless beach, as well as for the abutting leashless hike area (The Douglas Family Preserve). Parking is Free and Plentiful -- In early August 2025 we showed up at 6:30pm on a Monday (to hike the preserve) and at 11am on Wednesday (for a beach day). Both times there was tons of parking in the lot abutting The Boathouse, and the lifeguard confirmed that the lot is always free for the public. The beach (Arroyo Burro, aka Hendry's Beach) -- As soon as you step out of the parking lot you immediately on the beach. It doesn't get an easier access than that! The lifeguard tower that abuts the parking lot is the dividing line for dogs: leashed to the side closer to the Boathouse, and leashless on the opposite side. The waves are on the small side, which made it perfect for dogs to play in, and made for a nice relaxing sound for those of us that wanted to sit in our Tommy Bahama chairs and chill. There is plenty of coastline to walk your dog down the beach on the leashless side as well. The hike/trail (The Douglas Family Preserve): A nice easy trail, really fun for the doggos as it is an off-leash area. I'd say that half the people we saw on the trail had a pup, while the other half had no pets. The loop from the ground to the top and back is 1.5miles. There is 150 feet of elevation gain over a distance of about 1/3 of a mile; the rest of the hike is flat (w/ a large mesa at the top with lots of interconnected trails if you want to make the hike more extensive than a 1.5mile loop).
We absolutely love coming here with our two little kids and our two pup. It's always a guaranteed fun day at the beach! The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, making it the perfect spot for families. One of our favorite parts is that the nearby restaurant offers takeout, so we can enjoy a delicious meal right on the beach while soaking up the sun. The dog-friendly vibe is a huge bonus too--most of the dogs we've encountered are very well-behaved and friendly with both children and other pups. It's truly a special place where everyone, two- and four-legged alike, can enjoy a beautiful day together.
Probably my favorite beach in SB. Dogs off leash to the left. On leash to the right. This is mostly followed. At high tide it can be difficult to walk the length of the beach but otherwise it's a great sunset beach walk. Like all sb beaches, you will get tar on your feet.
A great beach if you want to take your dogs to play in the water. There are ample parking spots and pretty clean public restrooms. A dog wash stations are also available to wash out your dogs after being in the salt water. I believe it's cost $10 that includes shampoo and blow dry.
Great spot! We finally were able to experience the beach. We've tried multiple times to come and we're never able to park close. I think visiting in the fall helped us actually find a spot in the parking lot. There weren't too many dogs but Daisy still found a couple for play. We were able to keep her on the side where dogs can be off leash and she had a blast. We didn't find a place to rinse her after; I'm sure we just missed it. The open grassy field was nice so she could dry a bit; then could shake off more sand which she had all over
Still the most tranquil, zen spot In town at sunset. The photo I snapped is NOT filtered...it's just that beautiful. Surround yourself in sounds of gently lapping waves, soft breezes and playful pups. Breathe in. Breathe out. Stress gone. **(HINT: If all the peace and tranquility suddenly makes you hungry, head to nearby "Boat House" for fresh seafood and other culinary nom noms)!
A friend of mine rented a house up the hill and turned us onto this dog beach. For some reason, LA has a dearth of dog beaches and this beach has a lot of space for the dog side. While it's always busy because there's so much space it never seems crowded, I've even managed to get parking in the lot during the busy weekend periods. My dog loves to roughhouse and while I usually worry about other owners and their dogs no one's every really minded. On top of that, there's a dog wash station right on the grounds so you can clean your dog up before heading back if you choose. Definitely a solid place to go to if your dog loves the ocean.
This is my very favorite dog beach of all time. It is absolutely gorgeous, and the pet owners are very respectful and responsible. The Hendry's boathouse restaurant is absolutely delicious and you can get takeout and eat on the beach if you'd like. We took a super long walk and it's absolutely perfect. It's a great place to swim too. And huge bonuses that you can use the dog wash station on your way out!! Perfect day!!
This is our favorite beach to come to since it's always packed with dog friends for our little frenchie, Mumu. It is difficult to find parking here since there are only two lots, no street parking around and a great restaurant right on the beach that brings many to this beach. The waves here are not big which makes it easy to swim around, though there are some rocky areas to look out for. It can be a little seaweedy, but once you get out past the waves it perfectly clear. The stretch of beach is long and makes for a pleasant walk. The left side of the beach is for off-leash dogs and the right side for the cold hearted. Just kidding! The right side is for people who don't want to deal with dogs running around. Can you tell which side we always go to ;) There's a great dog washing station here near the further parking lot and a great boarded path with palm trees that leads from the beach to the lot. There's no shell or pebble hunting here unfortunately, but you'll enjoy your time regardless :) Definitely check out this beach, also know as Hendry's beach, but don't steal my parking spot! ;)
Another wonderful friendly dog spot! Dogs had a great time, lots of driftwood to throw, and beautiful views- the pictures say it all! Really nice tidepools, rock formations, and stones along the beach...left side is off leash and right side is leashed!
Popular dog beach, I was hoping with the recent rain the creek would be connected the to the ocean to make the scenery even more amazing. It's a long beach with tall bluffs along all sides for relaxing views and great photography opportunities. There wasn't too many people when we went and it was pretty peaceful. Dogs can go unleashed east of the creek, we stayed on the left side and the kids loved throwing seaweed into the ocean and running away from the waves. There is a small sand ledge so be careful when running away from the waves, my wife tripped over it when taking videos of the kids. There is a small parking lot and a popular restaurant so it does fill up fast, we came early and parking was fine but by the time we were leaving cars were waiting for out spot. The creek has bacteria warning signs so don't go jumping into that water :)
Captured a view of Arroyo Burro Estuary at the Arroyo Burro County Beach Park (AKA Hendry's Beach) while walking along Cliff Drive. Visited during the summer (August). Grassy area with picnic tables. BBQ grills. Restrooms w/outdoor showers. Lifeguards on duty during the summer season. Dog-friendly beach. 2-mile off-leash area. Self-service pet washing station ($10, Credit cards only). Open 7 days/wk: Ocean-front restaurant and snack bar
5 months ago
Lovely beach! Tide pools and a long stand to walk the sandy beach! That's a restaurant right by the beach too! Love the views! Dog friendly beach too with reserved space for off leash pups! read more
Such a nice dog friendly beach in Santa Barbara. They have restrooms, a small grassy area, and a dog washing station in the parking lot. Parking can be a bit tricky but overall it's a great spot if you want to bring your dog :) read more
If you've got a friendly dog(s), this is a great place to go: both for the easy access leashless beach, as well as for the abutting leashless hike area (The Douglas Family Preserve). Parking is Free and Plentiful -- In early August 2025 we showed up at 6:30pm on a Monday (to hike the preserve) and at 11am on Wednesday (for a beach day). Both times there was tons of parking in the lot abutting The Boathouse, and the lifeguard confirmed that the lot is always free for the public. The beach (Arroyo Burro, aka Hendry's Beach) -- As soon as you step out of the parking lot you immediately on the beach. It doesn't get an easier access than that! The lifeguard tower that abuts the parking lot is the dividing line for dogs: leashed to the side closer to the Boathouse, and leashless on the opposite side. The waves are on the small side, which made it perfect for dogs to play in, and made for a nice relaxing sound for those of us that wanted to sit in our Tommy Bahama chairs and chill. There is plenty of coastline to walk your dog down the beach on the leashless side as well. The hike/trail (The Douglas Family Preserve): A nice easy trail, really fun for the doggos as it is an off-leash area. I'd say that half the people we saw on the trail had a pup, while the other half had no pets. The loop from the ground to the top and back is 1.5miles. There is 150 feet of elevation gain over a distance of about 1/3 of a mile; the rest of the hike is flat (w/ a large mesa at the top with lots of interconnected trails if you want to make the hike more extensive than a 1.5mile loop). read more
3 months ago
We absolutely love coming here with our two little kids and our two pup. It's always a guaranteed fun day at the beach! The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, making it the perfect spot for families. One of our favorite parts is that the nearby restaurant offers takeout, so we can enjoy a delicious meal right on the beach while soaking up the sun. The dog-friendly vibe is a huge bonus too--most of the dogs we've encountered are very well-behaved and friendly with both children and other pups. It's truly a special place where everyone, two- and four-legged alike, can enjoy a beautiful day together. read more
1 year ago
Probably my favorite beach in SB. Dogs off leash to the left. On leash to the right. This is mostly followed. At high tide it can be difficult to walk the length of the beach but otherwise it's a great sunset beach walk. Like all sb beaches, you will get tar on your feet. read more
5 months ago
2 years ago
A great beach if you want to take your dogs to play in the water. There are ample parking spots and pretty clean public restrooms. A dog wash stations are also available to wash out your dogs after being in the salt water. I believe it's cost $10 that includes shampoo and blow dry. read more
2 years ago
Great spot! We finally were able to experience the beach. We've tried multiple times to come and we're never able to park close. I think visiting in the fall helped us actually find a spot in the parking lot. There weren't too many dogs but Daisy still found a couple for play. We were able to keep her on the side where dogs can be off leash and she had a blast. We didn't find a place to rinse her after; I'm sure we just missed it. The open grassy field was nice so she could dry a bit; then could shake off more sand which she had all over read more
3 years ago
Still the most tranquil, zen spot In town at sunset. The photo I snapped is NOT filtered...it's just that beautiful. Surround yourself in sounds of gently lapping waves, soft breezes and playful pups. Breathe in. Breathe out. Stress gone. **(HINT: If all the peace and tranquility suddenly makes you hungry, head to nearby "Boat House" for fresh seafood and other culinary nom noms)! read more
A friend of mine rented a house up the hill and turned us onto this dog beach. For some reason, LA has a dearth of dog beaches and this beach has a lot of space for the dog side. While it's always busy because there's so much space it never seems crowded, I've even managed to get parking in the lot during the busy weekend periods. My dog loves to roughhouse and while I usually worry about other owners and their dogs no one's every really minded. On top of that, there's a dog wash station right on the grounds so you can clean your dog up before heading back if you choose. Definitely a solid place to go to if your dog loves the ocean. read more
1 year ago
This is my very favorite dog beach of all time. It is absolutely gorgeous, and the pet owners are very respectful and responsible. The Hendry's boathouse restaurant is absolutely delicious and you can get takeout and eat on the beach if you'd like. We took a super long walk and it's absolutely perfect. It's a great place to swim too. And huge bonuses that you can use the dog wash station on your way out!! Perfect day!! read more
This is our favorite beach to come to since it's always packed with dog friends for our little frenchie, Mumu. It is difficult to find parking here since there are only two lots, no street parking around and a great restaurant right on the beach that brings many to this beach. The waves here are not big which makes it easy to swim around, though there are some rocky areas to look out for. It can be a little seaweedy, but once you get out past the waves it perfectly clear. The stretch of beach is long and makes for a pleasant walk. The left side of the beach is for off-leash dogs and the right side for the cold hearted. Just kidding! The right side is for people who don't want to deal with dogs running around. Can you tell which side we always go to ;) There's a great dog washing station here near the further parking lot and a great boarded path with palm trees that leads from the beach to the lot. There's no shell or pebble hunting here unfortunately, but you'll enjoy your time regardless :) Definitely check out this beach, also know as Hendry's beach, but don't steal my parking spot! ;) read more
Another wonderful friendly dog spot! Dogs had a great time, lots of driftwood to throw, and beautiful views- the pictures say it all! Really nice tidepools, rock formations, and stones along the beach...left side is off leash and right side is leashed! read more
Popular dog beach, I was hoping with the recent rain the creek would be connected the to the ocean to make the scenery even more amazing. It's a long beach with tall bluffs along all sides for relaxing views and great photography opportunities. There wasn't too many people when we went and it was pretty peaceful. Dogs can go unleashed east of the creek, we stayed on the left side and the kids loved throwing seaweed into the ocean and running away from the waves. There is a small sand ledge so be careful when running away from the waves, my wife tripped over it when taking videos of the kids. There is a small parking lot and a popular restaurant so it does fill up fast, we came early and parking was fine but by the time we were leaving cars were waiting for out spot. The creek has bacteria warning signs so don't go jumping into that water :) read more
3 years ago
Captured a view of Arroyo Burro Estuary at the Arroyo Burro County Beach Park (AKA Hendry's Beach) while walking along Cliff Drive. Visited during the summer (August). Grassy area with picnic tables. BBQ grills. Restrooms w/outdoor showers. Lifeguards on duty during the summer season. Dog-friendly beach. 2-mile off-leash area. Self-service pet washing station ($10, Credit cards only). Open 7 days/wk: Ocean-front restaurant and snack bar read more
5 years ago
Waiting to be seated at the Boat House, we explored the beach area. This is a beach that has cans for recycling, trash, and dog waste. The beach also has a designated side for dogs on leashes and with no leashes. Benches are plentiful for sitting, but with strong winds, no one sits too long. Too cold. We saw lots of different dogs, and people, while waiting. All were interesting, especially the folks in shorts in 57° weather. The seagulls were plentiful - enjoying the wind currents and looking for handouts. This beach in the warmer weather must be packed! Also liked that one could get an accessible wheelchair for wandering on the beach. Regina would love that! Bathrooms are available and we almost went in there to wait. No wind! But we didn't. I did find an ideal spot to wait, in the sun and out of the wind - behind the restrooms!! Then Niece found secret staircase, next to restaurant, out of wind with stone benches. Wonderful find. Look for it! It's magical. read more
Such a stunner! This beach is truly gorgeous. It's clean with soft white sand and gentle waves. I feel like I enjoyed this beach a lot more than I usually would simply because I arrived here around 8 am when there was virtually nobody there. Had this baby damn near all to myself for a good few hours and it was absolutely lovely! It's definitely a popular dog beach, and you'll get to see lots of cute pups running around. But even if you don't have a dog, you should come here because it's beautiful. It got crowed right around noon which is understandable. I feel like if I had arrived any later than I had, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it as much, but I truly did. The parking sitch can be a bit tough. There's a lovely restaurant called Boathouse at Hendry's right next to this beach, so the parking lot is shared with both beachgoers and restauranteurs. When I arrived around 8 am, the first parking lot was just about full. There are two parking lots, but they will fill up quickly. I actually had breakfast at the Boathouse restaurant and then made my way to beach right after. Thank goodness that I got there early because there was a long line of cars waiting to find a parking spot around 9:30 am. The weather was perfect and there was a wonderful breeze. The water temperature was perfect too. Coming from the Bay, I'm so used to freezing cold water temps. But Arroyo Burro was just perfect. There's plenty of space to spread out too. Took a very relaxing nap while I was there and also enjoyed getting my legs and feet wet for a bit. There are restrooms next to the parking lot and a few picnic tables near the entrance. If you're not a fan of crowds, I probably wouldn't come here past noon. I ended up leaving around noon which was perfect for me because it felt a little too busy around that time. I'd say this was my favorite beach to visit while out in Santa Barbara. I can definitely see myself coming back here again on a future visit. read more
2 years ago
Love Santa Barbara and love this dog friendly beach. Plenty of parking dog friendly and great restaurant called the boathouse although dogs aren't allowed but have to wait in the doggie area outside. read more
1 year ago
A very nice beach adjacent to Hendry's Beach and the Boathouse restaurant. It's a great beach for your furry friends and the only legal off leash beach for dogs within the city of Santa Barbara. It can get slam packed on sunny weekends and even sunny days during peak season. This is certainly for good reason. The beach is nice and flat and there's lots of real estate for the dogs to run absolutely crazy. This beach also attracts surfers when the swells are up and has a nice break. Also a spot that's frequented by surf anglers looking to hook up a tight line with an occasional fish. I have to say I have yet to see too many surf anglers have a prolific day. Then again I think it's more about how the day is being spent on the ocean with the wonderful surf breezes and on a good day a view out to the Channel Islands. While there is lots of parking it does fill up fast on popular times of the week and in high season. Certainly worth the walk even if you have to park a ways off in the distance. An experience certainly worthy of your time. read more
2 years ago
This is definitely dog beach central. The first thing you see once you park in the limited parking lot is the sign that instructs patrons that dogs are to be on leashes to the right and allowed to be off leashes to the left. It's great. Dogs are frolicking joyfully off their leashes on the beach while their owners watch and play with them. I walked down the beach on the other side. The hard wet packed sand stretches for quite a length. It's perfect for a long walk on the beach to get some exercise during this pandemic lock down period, with nothing else to do. I saw a handful of large shells - half the size of my hand, along with interesting large rocks strewn throughout my walk. There is a restaurant here. It's a shame it's only open for takeout right now. It looks like an awesome place to enjoy a meal, right on the beach. Parking is free and there are onsite, clean public restrooms. read more
Arroyo Burro Beach is definitely the top dog beach I've visited throughout the years. I used to frequent Arroyo with my father and our childhood dog, and have continued to keep this tradition alive with my Australian Shepard, Sheila. This beach is absolutely gorgeous, sits on a cliffs edge in Santa Barbara, and includes walking trails, white sand, and a whole lotta doggos! The beach is split in half, dogs on leash vs. dogs off leash. There are poop bags available, trash cans, and a very convenient dog washing station. Unfortunately the restaurant on site is not dog friendly. While there is a number of free parking spaces available, the beach gets pretty crowded in the warmer months. You might have to get scrappy and drive a few rounds, but I promise the experience will be worth it! read more
The beach is popular for dogs, two sections for on leash and off leash. The off leash side is good for fur friends to run with its pals. There's private parking lot attached to it, and self serving dog washing station. read more
I found this spot (aka Hendry's beach) while taking a scenic route drive and what a find it was! Busy around 2 on a Wednesday afternoon. The parking lot was full but I found a spot fast. Lots of in and out traffic. You have Bluffs as you are next to/ below the Douglas Family Reserve (which is a must visit). Also, the Boathouse restaurant is here so perfect for a meal and cocktails. Took a short walk and took in the scenery while waiting for my table at the edge of the beach. Don't miss this one when visiting Santa Barbara! read more
4 years ago
Great off leash dog beach with free parking! Love coming down here on the weekends, parking can be a little tricky peak hours - there's only 2 lots. On the left side of the beach down about 100 yards is the off leash part & to the right is on leash. You can order take out food & drinks from Boathouse at Hendrys Beach. Restaurant is mostly seafood but has some good sandwich options which is easy for take out. There's a dog wash area to wash your dog after the beach. It's $10 for 10 minutes, includes shampoo, conditioner, hose & blow dry function. One of my favorite beaches to spend an afternoon or just to take my dog for a long walk. Waves are typically very small in summer, there's usually a lifeguard on duty. read more
4 years ago
Beautiful scenery, if you ever decide to take a drive by Horse Ranch where some celebrities live here like snoop dog ... Breath taking homes, but mostly breath taking sunset, and I'm a sucker for sunsets by the beach ... read more
One of the best dog beaches. My dog loves it here and she can romp with others or just dig in the sand. There is tar on this beach so check paws, feet and shoes for it. Parking (which is free) can be tough on weekends, but just drive around until someone leaves. The dog side of the beach is to the left and there's signs directing you. We always see dolphins frolicking in early am or afternoon, too. Pure fun. read more
Great dog beach! Wasn't sure what to expect coming here for the first time. But the pup had a great time! Parking seemed that it can be pretty tough. Luckily I found a spot. There's two areas Off-leash (left) & On-leash (right). It was pretty packed on a Sunday giving the situation we are in (COVID). Majority of the people were wearing mask that I saw. Most people picked up after their dogs but some people just left their dog bags on the sand. I knew my dog was going to be wet and dirty from the beach but it was awesome that they have a dog wash ($10) in the parking lot. Plus, all proceeds go to county parks. read more
5 years ago
A slice of dog heaven for pups and family alike! We've been here with two very different dog types: a clinger and a runner. Both did really well here. The strip is split basically in half for leashed and unleashed dogs. Either side is naturally closed off by the landscape meeting the water. On the occasions we've been, the dogs are friendly along with their accompanying humans. There's a cafe if you have money to burn at the entrance. There's also a doggy wash in the parking lot if you want to bathe your pup before going back home. My only gripe is the parking. Possibly a victim of its success, this beach is really popular and parking is limited....really limited. Just be patient! And if you have the flexibility, avoid peak times like evenings and weekends. Two paws up for Burro (also known as Hendry's) and highly recommended! read more
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More info about Arroyo Burro Beach
2981 1/2 Cliff Dr
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
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(805) 687-3714
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https://www.countyofsb.org/810/Arroyo-Burro-Beach
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