Santa Barbara is a picturesque town located just up the California coast from Los Angeles and is a popular vacation destination for state residents and tourists. If you like to bring your pup along on vacation, Santa Barbara is an excellent choice due to the many dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, and other attractions in the area. Several Santa Barbara beaches also welcome canine visitors, including some off-leash spots! Here are the top 6 dog-friendly beaches in Santa Barbara, CA.
The Top 6 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Santa Barbara, California
- Arroyo Burro Beach
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🗺️ Address: 2981 Cliff Dr. Santa Barbara, CA 93109
🕐 Open Times: 8 am–sunset
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas only
Known as “Hendry’s Beach” locally
Dogs are allowed in the whole park but off-leash in marked areas only
Multiple amenities, including a restaurant, dog wash station, restrooms, and showers
A popular spot for paddleboarding, surfing, swimming, and fishing
Free beach wheelchairs are available
- Shoreline Park Beach
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🗺️ Address: 1377 Shoreline Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93109
🕐 Open Times: 7 am–7 pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas only
Accessible via a staircase from Shoreline Park
Narrow beach, only accessible at low tide
Dogs allowed off-leash on the west side of the staircase
Playground, picnic area, grills, and restrooms are available
Keep dogs on leashes in the park itself
- Summerland Beach
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🗺️ Address: Evans Ave and Wallace Ave, Summerland, CA 93067
🕐 Open Times: 8 am–sunset
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: No
Accessible from Lookout Park
Parking, restrooms, picnic areas, a dog wash, and a playground are located in the park
No amenities on the beach itself
Stay alert—horseback riding is allowed on this beach
Located about 6 miles east of Santa Barbara
- Mesa Lane Beach
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🗺️ Address: Edgewater Way and Mesa Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
🕐 Open Times: Sunrise–10 pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
A small, local beach that’s usually not crowded
No restrooms or other facilities
Bring your own waste bags
Beach is accessed by a flight of steps from the cliffs
Neighborhood street parking only
- Thousand Steps Beach
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🗺️ Address: 1429 Shoreline Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93109
🕐 Open Times: 24 hours
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
Narrow shoreline, especially at high tide
Accessed by a flight of steps (but only about 150!)
No restrooms or other facilities
Neighborhood street parking only
A beautiful spot to watch the sunset
- West Ellwood Beach
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🗺️ Address: 7686 Hollister Ave, Goleta, CA 93117
🕐 Open Times: 4 am–10 pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: No
A generally uncrowded beach located near a butterfly preserve
Parking lot available, but it’s a long walk to the beach
On-leash dogs are only allowed on part of the beach, follow signs closely
No facilities
Beach is often stained by natural oil seepage
Conclusion Because you’ll be sharing these six (often narrow) Santa Barbara beaches with others, make sure you always pick up after your pup and keep them under strict voice control when playing off-leash. Available facilities vary widely between the beaches as well, so plan ahead and bring your own waste bags, water, snacks, and shade. A little preparation will ensure you and your dog both enjoy the gorgeous Santa Barbara shores safely and happily. See also: Top 6 Dog Friendly Beaches on Tybee Island: Off-Leash & On-Leash Places to Go Sources
Santa Barbara Rover Dog Travel Buff
Featured Image Credit: BELINDA_FLORES, Shutterstock
Santa Barbara is a picturesque town located just up the California coast from Los Angeles and is a popular vacation destination for state residents and tourists. If you like to bring your pup along on vacation, Santa Barbara is an excellent choice due to the many dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, and other attractions in the area. Several Santa Barbara beaches also welcome canine visitors, including some off-leash spots! Here are the top 6 dog-friendly beaches in Santa Barbara, CA.
The Top 6 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Santa Barbara, California
1. Arroyo Burro Beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Julie (@socalhikechick)
🗺️ Address: 2981 Cliff Dr. Santa Barbara, CA 93109
🕐 Open Times: 8 am–sunset
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas only
Known as “Hendry’s Beach” locally
Dogs are allowed in the whole park but off-leash in marked areas only
Multiple amenities, including a restaurant, dog wash station, restrooms, and showers
A popular spot for paddleboarding, surfing, swimming, and fishing
Free beach wheelchairs are available
2. Shoreline Park Beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Gunnar Magnus (@gunnarmagnusweston)
🗺️ Address: 1377 Shoreline Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93109
🕐 Open Times: 7 am–7 pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes, in designated areas only
Accessible via a staircase from Shoreline Park
Narrow beach, only accessible at low tide
Dogs allowed off-leash on the west side of the staircase
Playground, picnic area, grills, and restrooms are available
Keep dogs on leashes in the park itself
3. Summerland Beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Milo (@milo_thehuggiestaussie)
🗺️ Address: Evans Ave and Wallace Ave, Summerland, CA 93067
🕐 Open Times: 8 am–sunset
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: No
Accessible from Lookout Park
Parking, restrooms, picnic areas, a dog wash, and a playground are located in the park
No amenities on the beach itself
Stay alert—horseback riding is allowed on this beach
Located about 6 miles east of Santa Barbara
4. Mesa Lane Beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Cooper the Golden Retriever (@cooper_truckee)
🗺️ Address: Edgewater Way and Mesa Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
🕐 Open Times: Sunrise–10 pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
A small, local beach that’s usually not crowded
No restrooms or other facilities
Bring your own waste bags
Beach is accessed by a flight of steps from the cliffs
Neighborhood street parking only
5. Thousand Steps Beach
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A post shared by ber805 (@ber805)
🗺️ Address: 1429 Shoreline Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93109
🕐 Open Times: 24 hours
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: Yes
Narrow shoreline, especially at high tide
Accessed by a flight of steps (but only about 150!)
No restrooms or other facilities
Neighborhood street parking only
A beautiful spot to watch the sunset
6. West Ellwood Beach
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by John Owens (@condormachinist)
🗺️ Address: 7686 Hollister Ave, Goleta, CA 93117
🕐 Open Times: 4 am–10 pm
💲 Cost: Free
🐕 Off-Leash: No
A generally uncrowded beach located near a butterfly preserve
Parking lot available, but it’s a long walk to the beach
On-leash dogs are only allowed on part of the beach, follow signs closely
No facilities
Beach is often stained by natural oil seepage
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Julie (@socalhikechick)
A post shared by Julie (@socalhikechick)
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
- Known as “Hendry’s Beach” locally
- Dogs are allowed in the whole park but off-leash in marked areas only
- Multiple amenities, including a restaurant, dog wash station, restrooms, and showers
- A popular spot for paddleboarding, surfing, swimming, and fishing
- Free beach wheelchairs are available
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Gunnar Magnus (@gunnarmagnusweston)
A post shared by Gunnar Magnus (@gunnarmagnusweston)
- Accessible via a staircase from Shoreline Park
- Narrow beach, only accessible at low tide
- Dogs allowed off-leash on the west side of the staircase
- Playground, picnic area, grills, and restrooms are available
- Keep dogs on leashes in the park itself
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Milo (@milo_thehuggiestaussie)
A post shared by Milo (@milo_thehuggiestaussie)
- Accessible from Lookout Park
- Parking, restrooms, picnic areas, a dog wash, and a playground are located in the park
- No amenities on the beach itself
- Stay alert—horseback riding is allowed on this beach
- Located about 6 miles east of Santa Barbara
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Cooper the Golden Retriever (@cooper_truckee)
A post shared by Cooper the Golden Retriever (@cooper_truckee)
- A small, local beach that’s usually not crowded
- No restrooms or other facilities
- Bring your own waste bags
- Beach is accessed by a flight of steps from the cliffs
- Neighborhood street parking only
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by ber805 (@ber805)
A post shared by ber805 (@ber805)
- Narrow shoreline, especially at high tide
- Accessed by a flight of steps (but only about 150!)
- No restrooms or other facilities
- Neighborhood street parking only
- A beautiful spot to watch the sunset
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by John Owens (@condormachinist)
A post shared by John Owens (@condormachinist)
- A generally uncrowded beach located near a butterfly preserve
- Parking lot available, but it’s a long walk to the beach
- On-leash dogs are only allowed on part of the beach, follow signs closely
- No facilities
- Beach is often stained by natural oil seepage
Conclusion
Because you’ll be sharing these six (often narrow) Santa Barbara beaches with others, make sure you always pick up after your pup and keep them under strict voice control when playing off-leash. Available facilities vary widely between the beaches as well, so plan ahead and bring your own waste bags, water, snacks, and shade. A little preparation will ensure you and your dog both enjoy the gorgeous Santa Barbara shores safely and happily.
See also: Top 6 Dog Friendly Beaches on Tybee Island: Off-Leash & On-Leash Places to Go
Sources
Santa Barbara Rover Dog Travel Buff
Featured Image Credit: BELINDA_FLORES, Shutterstock
Sources
Santa Barbara Rover Dog Travel Buff
- Santa Barbara
- Rover
- Dog Travel Buff
