Beaches & Parks
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More information on many of these beaches/parks can be found at www.santabarbaraca.gov/Parks.
Santa Barbara County
Arroyo Burro Beach
Also known as Hendry's Beach. Six hundred feet of sandy beach
for fishing, surfing, swimming, bird watching, and picnicking. The The Boathouse
Restaurant serves meals at the beach; there is also an open-air snack bar. This
is also the location of the Water Resource Center. Arroyo Burro Beach is located
on Cliff Drive, half a block west of Las Positas Road; 687-3714.
Carpinteria State Beach
Great for picnicking, fishing, and beach swimming. Campsites available with hook-ups
for motor homes, trailers, and tent sites. Palm Ave. in Carpinteria; 684-2811.
East Beach
The beach front offers picnic facilities, beach volleyball courts, barbeques, and
a full service restaurant at the East Beach Grill. The Cabrillo Pavilion Bathhouse
at 1119 E. Cabrillo Blvd (897-2680), built in 1927, offers showers, lockers, a weight
room, beach wheelchair and volleyball rentals. 564-5418.
El Capitan State Beach
Beach/camp facility 18 miles northwest of Santa Barbara via Highway 101 with campsites,
picnic, and bike-and-hike sites for a fee. Reservations are essential during summer,
spring, and fall; 968-1033.
Goleta Beach
Adjacent to the UCSB campus, Goleta Beach has a fishing pier, picnic facilities,
playground equipment, group barbecue areas, a snack bar, and the Beachside Bar CafŽ,
a full-service restaurant on the sand; 967-1300.
Isla Vista Beach
With 4,800 feet of beach between UCSB and Devereux School, Isla Vista Beach has
tide pools, sandy beaches, and a grassy bluff on Del Playa. Beware: during winter
the beach, being affected by tides, disappears and the cliffs can be dangerous.
681-5650.
Jalama Beach
This park is located 90 minutes north of Goleta. Campsites operate on a first-come,
first-served basis and has a two-week limit; 934-6211.
Leadbetter Beach
This is a large city beach adjacent to the harbor used for swimming, sailing and
surfing. It is also a popular site to watch the fireworks show on July 4th. Picnic
facilities are available, but reservations must be made for the picnic site at the
end of the parking lot. Located at La Marina and Shoreline Dr.; 564-5418.
Pismo State Beach
Located on Highway 1, this beach is known for its pier, surf fishing, and water
sports. Sections of the beach at the north end prohibit vehicular traffic and are
ideal for children. Camping permitted at designated sites; 489-2684.
Refugio State Beach
Refugio State Beach offers excellent coastal fishing as well as trails and picnic
sites. Palm trees planted near Refugio Creek give a distinctive look to the beach
and camping area. A bike trail along the beach bluff connects the beach with El
Capitan State Beach 2.5 miles east. Located twenty miles west of Santa Barbara on
Highway 101 at Refugio Road. Call for reservations: 968-1033.
IRincon Beach Park
Three miles east of Carpinteria, adjacent to the Santa Barbara/Ventura county line,
one can find 1,200 feet of beach frontage with excellent surfing, sunbathing, and
surf fishing. There is also a large group BBQ area. 681-5650.
PARKS
Alameda Park
One of City's oldest parks, this two-block park features unique rare trees, a gazebo,
and is the home of Kids' World, an 8,000 square foot playground built by local residents
containing a castle, swings and slides. Reservable children's party and picnic sites.
564-5418.
Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens
This downtown block at 1300 Micheltorena St. is often called the "crown jewel" of
city parks. The park features a large botanical collection (75 different tree and
plant species); koi pond; sensory garden with audio posts and interpretive Braille
signs; xeriscape demonstration garden; picnic areas; gazebo. Reservable wedding
and party sites. The scenic arbor area at the northwest end of the park is popular
for wedding ceremonies and is outstanding for photographs. 564-5418.
Cachuma Lake
Cachuma Lake tent and full hook-up camping, cabin rentals, hiking trails, boat rentals,
fishing, bait and tackle shop, general store, naturalist programs, and seasonal
swimming pools (open only in summer). All spaces available on first-come, first-serve
basis, for info call 686-5054 or visit www.cachuma.com. For Seasonal Employment
opportunities call 686-5076.
Channel Islands National Park
Close to the California mainland, the park encompasses five of the eight California
Channel Islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara)
and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural
resources. Over 2000 species of plants and animals can be found within the park.
Exhibits and information are offered at the park Visitor Center (1901 Spinnaker
Dr., Ventura 658-5730), the Outdoors Santa Barbara Visitor Center (113 Harbor way,
Santa Barbara; 884-1475) or on the internet at www.nps.gov/chis. Public boat and
air transportation for day visits and camping trips are available year-round by
park concessionaires: Truth Aquatics (963-3564; truthaquatics.com), Island Packers
(642-1393; islandpackers.com), or Channel Islands Aviation (987-1301;
flycia.com).
Chase Palm Park
The ocean side of the park is the home to the Sunday and Holiday Arts and Crafts
Show, a soccer field, a skate park, an oceanfront bikepath and a walkway from Stearns
Wharf to East Beach. The expanded portion of Chase Palm Park across the street features
a children's playground, carousel, fountains, creeks, lagoon, snack bar and a grassy
area for the popular summer Concerts in the Park series. Indoor and outdoor areas
available to rent; 564-5418.
Lookout Park
This four-acre area by the ocean with picnic and barbecue facilities, volleyball,
playground equipment, and cliff-top views of the coastline is a favorite of many
locals. Summerland; 969-1720.
Manning Park
This park in Montecito is noted for its beautiful landscaping. It has tennis courts,
ball fields, hiking trails, and barbeque areas; 969-0201.
Nojoqui Falls Park
One and a half miles east of Highway 101 near Gaviota, this is one of Santa Barbara
County's most popular parks. It features twenty-two acres with barbecue and picnic
facilities, volleyball, softball, horseshoes, and a hiking trail to Nojoqui Falls.
Can also be reached via Alisal Road in Solvang; 934-6123.
Oak Park
This park has historically been a popular spot for picnics and fun. It features
an outdoor wooden-raised dance floor, horseshoe pits, a children's wading pool and
two public tennis courts. This is home of many of the city's Cultural Festivals
(April-October). Picnic and barbeque sites are available with a reservation; 564-5418.
Rocky Nook Park
This is a nineteen acre park overlooking Mission Creek near downtown Santa Barbara.
It has picnic and barbecue facilities; many trees including oak, pine, and eucalyptus;
and children's play area. County Park Administration Headquarters located on the
grounds of this park; 681-5650.
Shoreline Park
Situated on bluffs overlooking Leadbetter Beach and the harbor; this park is popular
for whale watching and the view of the Channel Islands. Picnic and barbeque areas
are available with reservations. 564-5433.
Skofield Park
This park is located beyond the Botanical Gardens in the Santa Barbara foothills.
It offers facilities for picnics and overnight camping for nonprofit youth groups,
plus walking and hiking trails and large grassy meadows. 564-5418.
Toro Canyon Park
This 74-acre park in the hills above Montecito has 24 acres suitable for recreation
including four large picnic areas, barbecue facilities, playground, volleyball and
a large lawn. Oak woodland, hard chaparral and many birds create a unique environment.
Exit 101 at Padaro Lane; 969-3315.
Tucker's Grove
This park offers picnic areas, barbecue facilities, a playground, horseshoe pits,
and volleyball courts. Live oak, bay laurel, and sycamore trees flourish here. This
park also offers six miles of hiking trails and an equestrian trail; located on
Cathedral Oaks Road at Turnpike; 967-1112.
SWIMMING HOLES
Mission Canyon
There are pools in the upper Mission Creek. Drive up Mission Canyon Road; take the
left fork onto Tunnel Road. The 4 mile trail begins at the end of Tunnel Road. Walk
up the creek to the pools.
Rattlesnake Canyon
This is considered one of the prettiest foothill trails. It begins 100 yards before
the entrance to Skofield Park on Las Canoas. It is 3 miles long, and follows a creek
past beautiful rock formations and clear pools. It is of moderate difficulty. This
trail is closed to mountain bicycles.
Red Rock
This popular hike is on either of two dirt roads that go upriver to Gibraltar Reservoir
that begin behind locked gates in the parking lot at the end of Paradise Road. The
low road is referred to as the "Red Rock" trail where one will find several large
swimming holes. A hike combining both the low road and the high road forms a pleasant
7 mile loop.
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