4/15-5/3: Central Library Lower Level/Children’s Library area will be closed due to construction work.

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West Beach

Situated between Stearn's Wharf and the Harbor, West Beach offers a picturesque sandy area for sunbathing, swimming, picnics, kayaking, windsurfing, and beach volleyball. Large palm trees and a wide walkway/bike path make this beachfront area a popular tourist spot. West Beach is easily accessible and family-friendly.

West Beach is commonly the site of large public special events, including the City's 4th of July celebration. Amenities near the beach include a playground and Los Baños Pool. West Beach also provides public art, viewing plazas, and historical and interpretive signage.

The sandy beach is adjacent to the Small Craft Quiet Water Area which is a setting for many boating activities for: outriggers, sailboats, Chumash tomols (canoes), and rowing dories.

Dogs are not allowed on West Beach.

Space Details
Address

Address

401 Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Amenities

Amenities

  • Beach Access
  • Reservable Outdoor Area(s)
  • Swimming/Water Play
  • No Dogs on Sand
  • Paid Parking Nearby
  • Audio Tour (See Below)
Acres
Acres
7.44
Associated Spaces
Associated Spaces
Widgets

Beach Wheelchairs

The City of Santa Barbara currently has two beach wheelchairs (one manual and one motorized) available to the public and visitors free of charge, seven days a week during regular operational hours. Beach wheelchairs are located at the Cabrillo Pavilion at East Beach.

Requests for the wheelchair can be made online at the link below. For help please call Cabrillo Pavilion staff at (805) 897-2680.  Completion of a liability waiver and identification is required for reservations.

reserve a beach Wheelchair


The beach wheelchairs were funded by a grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy in 2019.

Explore the Coast

Santa Barbara is situated along the California Coastal Trail - a network of trails along California’s coast intended to provide use and enjoyment for walkers, bikers, equestrian riders, and wheelchair users, as well as connect coastal communities. Currently, 60 percent of the trail is complete, covering over 700 miles of California’s coastline. Within Santa Barbara, the trail includes over six miles of paved multi-use paths adjacent to some of Santa Barbara’s most popular beaches, dirt trails through open space parks, and amazing vistas of the Santa Barbara Channel and offshore islands. Users will experience the coastal breeze and enjoy sounds of the waves, while also noticing the bustling and thriving community nearly 90,000 people call home.

Download our free audio tour files and explore the coast like never before. They are provided in MP3 format and are compatible with most devices. The printable Santa Barbara Coastal Trail Map directs you to 11 stops as you listen to the stories that helped transform Santa Barbara's coast. Watch this video to learn more. 

LISTEN TO beaches AUDIO TOUR
listen to harbor & wharf audio tour

Maps, podcasts and video were funded in part by the California State Coastal Conservancy through the "Explore the Coast" grant program.