Leadbetter Beach
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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
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...
Santa Barbara Harbor Beach (Sandspit)
0.6 miles away
This small beach is located at the end of the breakwater for Santa Barbara Harbor and is walking distance...
West Beach of Santa Barbara
0.7 miles away
West Beach in Santa Barbara is a wide beach located west of and adjacent to Stearns Wharf Pier at...
Nearby Attractions
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
0.3 miles away
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is easy to get to from touristy State Street and Stearns Wharf on the Santa...
Nearby Lodging
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