East Beach

It's hard to say enough about this beach. Beautiful, long, sandy, deep even at high tide and bordered by a grassy, tree-lined park.

It has all the amenities a sun worshipper could wish for - a full beach house, snack bar, volleyball courts, play area for children, and a bike/rollerblading bath. It's also a favorite for special activities - Saturday afternoon drumming, Sunday afternoon art show or an occasional soccer game. East Beach is in front of some of the largest hotels in Santa Barbara so it is the Santa Barbara default beach.

Cons: There is plenty of parking but it tends to be scattered. The free parking goes fast.

Note: If you have children you need to make sure that they stay away from the road. Cabrillo Blvd. is one of the busiest streets in Santa Barbara and the traffic goes very fast, regardless of the 25 mph signs posted along a large stretch of the road.

BEACH HIGHLIGHTS:

BBQ Pits, BBQ Grills, Bike Path, General Store, Lifeguards, Picnic Areas, Playground, Restrooms, Showers, Snack Bar, Beach Volleyball Courts

DIRECTIONS:

East Beach is accessible from just about any exit along downtown Santa Barbara - Carrillo Blvd, Milpas, Garden, Castillo. Turn away from the mountains and when you reach Carrillo, you can't miss the huge stretch of park between Stearns Wharf and the bird refuge.