East Beach
Santa Barbara, CA
East Beach is Santa Barbara's main city beach, with real recreational facilities at the historic Cabrillo Pavilion Bathhouse, a genuine local landmark that's served beachgoers for close to a century. Volleyball courts and wide open sand make it a popular gathering spot on any nice day.
The historic bathhouse and wide open sand make it a genuine Santa Barbara institution, popular enough that it draws a real crowd on weekends.
How we score beachesCheck the bathhouse for changing rooms and showers if you're spending a full day here, it's a genuinely useful amenity most city beaches don't have.
Free parking is available near the beach.
The path from parking to the sand isn't documented in detail, so allow extra time on your first visit.
Dogs are not allowed on the sand at East Beach, though leashed dogs can use the adjacent paved promenade and bike path.
Fog is common most mornings year round, typical of the Santa Barbara coast.
More Pacific Coast beaches
Zuma Beach
Malibu, CA · Pacific Coast
A wide stretch of sand backed by the Santa Monica Mountains, with reliable swells that draw surfers year-round and plenty of room to spread out even on busy weekends.
Huntington City Beach
Huntington Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Known as Surf City USA, with a mile-long municipal pier, consistent breaks for surfers of every level, and a laid-back boardwalk scene along Pacific Coast Highway.
Main Beach
Laguna Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Tucked between rocky headlands, with tidepools to explore at low tide, calmer coves for swimming, and an arts-town backdrop of galleries and cafes just steps from the sand.