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    East Beach

    4.3 (78 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 10:00 pm

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    Genezaret C.

    If you're looking for a place to watch the sunset, play volleyball or tan...this is it. They have showers where you can rinse off, spacious bathrooms and a new playground. They have so many volleyball nets up, if you come on weekends or holidays arrive early to secure your spot. They also have back up parking on the side or you have to pay for the parking lot space. This beach is also super close to the zoo, Milpas street and Montecito.

    Nothing beats a sunset Beach Volleyball sesh!
    Daniela A.

    Truly one of the best beaches in Santa Barbara! Free and paid parking available, along with showers & an awesome restaurant!

    Apparently NOT open to the public. Just needed to sit down after walking from the harbor. Got politely escorted out.
    Julie T.

    Apparently NOT open to public. Just needed to sit down after walking from the harbor.

    The tide and surf was perfect on this day. Even the Lifeguard and Jr. Lifeguards enjoyed the day during their fun and training.
    Kirk B.

    The next family friendly beach other than the pier side where the water is much calmer. This side the beach water comes in a bit harder and is great for first time boogie and body surfers. Skim boards not so much as there are alot of people near the waterline. Halfdome tents and umbrellas are recommended and friendly. For those with pop up tents, I recommend setting up at the parking lot line. This is so thst Lifeguards Emergency Truck can drive by. The Pavillon is now open and the bathrooms are clean and updated. The restaurant too is now open. Parking is not as plentiful and you have to pay. The parking is monitored so pay. The breeze is great that goes with the sun rays. So add sunscreen!! Have fun and happy trails!!

    Christine H.

    If I could describe East Beach in one word it would be GORGEOUS! Imagine a beautiful beach with cerulean blue water and clean sand lined with tall palm trees with mountains in the background. That would be East Beach. Parking is also free along the street lining the beach too. I could spend hours here taking in the beautiful scenery and the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

    East beach offers new play areas, restaurant, clean restrooms, nice gym, lots of parking.

    Lauren K.

    This is a great little in town beach. I typically street park and walk to it. It's a wonderful place to catch sunset and walk on the sidewalk path or on the sand. It's well maintained and clean. There are bathroom facilities. It's typically busy but quiet overall. This is one of many lovely beaches in Santa Barbara. Be sure to have a visit on your next beach day.

    Mike O.

    We came to SB on Memorial Day to see the ocean and relax. There is a parking lot close to Sterns Wharf that has paid to park (cash or card), it cost $4.00 for two hours for us. Parking was really close to the sand so that would have been great if we went out to the sand, but we just walked along and then to the wharf. Nice enough place, bathrooms were open too so that would be good except for the liquid floor covering...ewwww.

    Henry L.

    The journey here was tough, because we came during the last day of "summer" last year in the fall. I would say that East Beach is semi kid friendly, because it invites all types of people from the general population. If you come in the afternoon, it will be nearly impossible to find a good spot to camp out near the beach, but there will be some spaces on the sand that may only require a minute walk or so. Parking is not that difficult, as long as you are able to find a spot. You'll likely have to walk everything quite a long distance. If you bring a cart, it is only semi useful, because you cannot really wheel it through the sand. So I would bring a strong friend or two if you are going to come here for a longer period of time and need lots of equipment, food, and drinks. The highlight is definitely the gorgeous views around sunset. From the view of the beach, if you head to the right side, there are some jagged cliffs that you can hike, to enjoy water pools, grand views of the sunset, and take some pictures.

    Hours and rates of parking lot
    Wendy N.

    It's been 9 years since I've updated my review of one of my favorite places in SB. As an avid beach volleyball player, I am here 2 to 3 times a week. Things have changed a bit. There is now back-in diagonal parking (instead of parallel) parking along the beach. *Note: You will get ticketed if you park nose-in., The parking rate for the lot is now $2.50 per hour. The East Beach Grill has been replaced by an upscale restaurant Reunion (super yummy). If you want to play casual volleyball, it's best to come after 12pm, because the serious volleyball players (and volleyball camps) are there during the mornings. There are often dolphin and pelican sightings. There are not a lot of people who sunbathe here. Mostly a volleyball beach. Come check it out!

    Robyn P.

    My 600th Check In . Visiting beautiful Santa Barbara with our grandchildren. This playground is right on the beach and very clean. Parking is only $2.00 per hour. Perfect place to enjoy with kids

    Art in the Sand
    Devin C.

    Nice beach spot! Not too busy/crowded. Cute park area too. However, my feet got plastered in tar. Would not recommend if you don't like getting dirty, but if you can look past that, this is an amazing patch of the coast! Love it!

    Muscles on a barrier

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    2 years ago

    Family friendly beach with clean restrooms, playground and close parking. This is our go to beach whenever we're in the area.

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    4 years ago

    Great spot for a quick lunch, small and not fancy but eclectic and great food. Love their poke taco's.

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    5 years ago

    My girls and I enjoyed relaxing at East Beach. It was clean and peaceful. There are several hotels and restaurants nearby.

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    Ask the Community - East Beach

    Are there on duty lifegaurds?

    Yes there are lifeguard towers and they patrol in truck.

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    Review Highlights - East Beach

    Moreover, this beach is world-famous for volleyball, as it hosts several volleyball tournaments each year.

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

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    One Thousand Steps Beach

    One Thousand Steps Beach

    4.4(59 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    If you have the time and get lucky with parking, then stop by for a carefree stroll along the…read morecoastline. The stairway heading down from the neighborhood to the beach gives you the chance to carefully soak in the beauty of the landscape. As others have mentioned, no there aren't a thousand steps. Whoever named this place as such sure liked rounding up, like way up. We came by around low tide which washed up a lot of unique shellfish as well as the world's debris. This meant on a sunny day you may very be greeted with the pleasant aroma of the sea's breeze and the very next moment a waft of sundried plastic. That's the reality of the ocean's health. Still, it's a peaceful slice of nature worth visiting.

    About two miles from Stearns Wharf, we headed over in hopes that it would be low tide. We were…read morelucky to find a parking spot on a tiny dead end residential street where the steps start. Not quite one thousand steps, but still a good workout with 157 steps. We headed down the steps, some were covered in water and mud. It was pretty much low tide when we arrived at 1pm, which made for a beautiful walk. I thought this beach was secluded. However, a half mile into our walk, we came across another set of stairs, Shoreline Steps. These steps will take you from Shoreline park to the beach. There was a good amount of people walking and we saw a few dogs as well. If you're looking for a walk along the shore, this is a great spot. Just remember parking near One Thousand Steps can be very limited.

    Photos
    One Thousand Steps Beach
    One Thousand Steps Beach
    One Thousand Steps Beach - Going down

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    Going down

    Shoreline Park - Beautiful rock formations

    Shoreline Park

    4.7(91 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    Shoreline Park in Santa Barbara is a 15-acre coastal bluff park known for its panoramic ocean views…read moreand family-friendly atmosphere. Perched above the Pacific, it offers a long, narrow stretch of green space with paved paths ideal for walking, jogging, and soaking in vistas that include the Santa Barbara Harbor, the Channel Islands, and the Santa Ynez Mountains.

    Shoreline Park is a gem for anyone seeking peaceful surroundings . The park offers stunning views…read moreof the ocean, with plenty of grassy areas perfect for picnics or lounging. I love coming here for walks and soaking up the panoramic views of the coastline. Benches are stationed throughout the park to enjoy the scenery. Unfortunately, some areas have been gated off for safety reasons due to the foundation of the hillside. If you want to venture down to the beach, just look for the wooden archway. The stairway will lead you down to the shoreline. Occasionally high tides won't allow you to venture down, so just be aware of that. The beach itself is rocky, and sometimes full of debris so bring comfy shoes! This spot is ideal for families, walkers, and even solo relaxation. I recommend bringing a small bag for special sea treasures that you may find during your visit. I always enjoy looking for sea shells, sea glass and heart shaped rocks. The rock formations here are always breathtaking during low tides so be sure to bring a camera or have your phone fully charged. Overall, Shoreline Park is my top favorite in town and a must-visit for beach lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. It's also a dog friendly park, so bring your fur baby as well.

    Photos
    Shoreline Park - Chilly cold walk in March!

    Chilly cold walk in March!

    Shoreline Park
    Shoreline Park

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    Douglas Family Preserve - Pearl and a too-big stick.

    Douglas Family Preserve

    4.8(188 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    We had no idea that this nice easy trail existed when he headed out to Santa Barbara with our 9year…read moreold lab mix for a 4 night vacay. What a great find this place was. Parking is Free and Plentiful -- In early August 2025 we showed up at 6:30pm on a Monday (to hike the preserve). There was tons of parking in the lots that abut The Boathouse, and the lots are always free for the public. There is also free street parking on the street just past the traffic circle. The hike/trail (The Douglas Family Preserve): A nice easy trail, and 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). Our dog not only enjoyed the walk, but had lots of fun trying to start some small play sessions with other dogs that she saw on the trail. Bonus: this trail uses the same parking lot as Hendry's Beach (Arroyo Burro Beach), which is leash free along the coastline east of the lifeguard tower (to the left of the lifeguard tower if you are facing the ocean).

    It's nice to see how different the ocean views and the vegetation on this trail changes in…read moredifference seasons. I had previously visited in September and this visit it is May. Still a nice day to walk and enjoy the cool ocean breeze, friendly people and dogs on the trail.

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    Douglas Family Preserve - Me and Cooper

    Me and Cooper

    Douglas Family Preserve
    Douglas Family Preserve - ** Dogs Welcome ** ** on and off leash ** Starting the BarkDay celebration early!

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    ** Dogs Welcome ** ** on and off leash ** Starting the BarkDay celebration early!

    Santa Claus Beach

    Santa Claus Beach

    4.7(35 reviews)
    6.5 mi

    Such a hidden gem of a beach. We stumbled upon it after randomly getting off the freeway. Passing…read morethe beautiful beach houses , there's an open area to park by the railroad. Walking across the railroad, the beautiful beach is kept hidden and beautiful. It was nice to come relax in the sun and hit the waters for a bit. It is NOT hard to find, don't be mislead by these reviews. There's also a surf store, a restaurant, and other stores going more down the road! Nice area.

    Last month, on a weekday in the middle of summer, is when I dropped in to this beach known by…read moreseveral names... Santa Claus Beach (unofficial name) and Padaro Beach (offical name). It was so hectic to get to this beach due to all the road construction. And the beach was packed due to the various local children's summer camps and tourists. First, thing to note is the road construction. Possibly it's over by now. But when I visited, the road had no parking for the stretch right along the public access to the beach. It's free access and parking. The normal spots were taken by the construction crew and their equipment and materials. They were digging up the road. I saw a lot of folks parking in the road construction zone. The crew were calling tow trucks depending on where those cars were parked. Anyway, we parked really far away and hoofed it in while dodging dozers, street traffic, and construction crew. The access to the beach is limited to the open stretch where so happened the construction was occurring. Other access points are private property. Don't be tempted to cut through, it's illegal. Once you get to the public access area, you'll need to hike a wee bit of sandy elevation to cross the train tracks. Have your wits about while trekking near and on the tracks. Look both ways from afar and be ready to move to a safe distance if there is an incoming train. We ventured further to the far edges of the beach. The beach was clean. Sand was soft. Good vibes. Watch out at high tides if you venture to the far sides, the beach shrinks at high tide. And a rocky outcropping is beyond the sand. Plus there are no plumbed public restrooms, but I did see porta toilets.

    Photos
    Santa Claus Beach - Surfliner!!!!

    Surfliner!!!!

    Santa Claus Beach
    Santa Claus Beach

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    East Beach - beaches - Updated May 2026

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