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About Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara, California

Leadbetter Beach is a stunning south-facing beach located just west of the harbor in Santa Barbara. It’s right across the street from Santa Barbara City College so expect to see students here on sunny days. It’s an excellent wide sandy beach that is perfect for sunbathing.

With the right conditions, it gets breezy so windsurfing, kiteboarding, kite flying, sailing, take place at Leadbetter. It’s also a popular spot for beginner surfing.

Behind the beach is Leadbetter Beach Park, a grassy spot with picnic tables and barbeques. A larger grass park called Shoreline Park is at the west end of Leadbetter which makes a superb walk from here. It’s about a half-mile each way via the path or the beach from the cafe (the beach is 3/4 mile long overall). A paved path follows the waterfront eastward from Leadbetter creating a bike ride full of things to see along the way (the harbor, the wharf, parks, and beaches). Serious cyclists can ride all the way to Montecito from here.

At the center of the Leadbetter Beach is Shoreline Beach Cafe, a wonderful place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and cocktails. At the east end of the beach there are several popular restaurants next to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum on the harbor.

The parking lot for Leadbetter Beach is located at Shoreline Drive and Loma Alta Drive just west of the Santa Barbara Harbor main entrance. You’ll have to pay a fee to park there, but it’s worth it.

Address
801 Shoreline Dr
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Phone
805-564-5418
Park Name
Leadbetter Beach Park
Other Names
Ledbetter Beach
Owner
City Beach
Pet Details
No dogs allowed on the beach
Fees
Fees for parking
Activities
Sunbathing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing, Surfing, Sailing, Walking, Jogging, Biking, Swimming
Amenities
Restrooms, Showers, Lifeguards, Grass Park, Picnic Tables, BBQs, Restaurant, Tide Pools, Walking Path, Bike Path
Map of Leadbetter Beach
Santa Barbara, US
6:23 pm, March 28, 2024
temperature icon 61°F
L: 53° H: 65°
Feels like 59.85 °F clear sky
Wind gusts: 6 m/s
UV Index: 0.28
Precipitation: 0 inch
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 6:50 am
Sunset: 7:16 pm
Humidity 66 %
Pressure1014 mb
Wind 6 m/s

Nearby Beaches

Shoreline Park Beach

0.5 miles away

Shoreline Park is a linear grassy park located in the East Mesa neighborhood of Santa Barbara, CA. Below the...

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Nearby Attractions

Nearby Lodging

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