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Home>Dogs>Top 6 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Santa Barbara, CA in 2023
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
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
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
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
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
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
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:
Featured Image Credit: BELINDA_FLORES, Shutterstock
Written by
Elizabeth Gray is a lifelong lover of all creatures great and small. She got her first cat at 5 years old and at 14, she started working for her local veterinarian. Elizabeth spent more than 20 years working as a veterinary nurse before stepping away to become a stay-at-home parent to her daughter. Now, she is excited to share her hard-earned knowledge (literally–she has scars) with our readers. Elizabeth lives in Iowa with her family, including her two fur kids, Linnard, a husky mix and Algernon, the worldʻs most patient cat. When not writing, she enjoys reading, watching all sports but especially soccer, and spending time outdoors with her family.…Read more
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