Padaro Beach (Santa Claus Beach) in Carpinteria, CA

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About Padaro Beach (Santa Claus Beach) in Carpinteria, California

Padaro Beach is a popular local beach north of Carpinteria, California. It’s located along Padaro Lane and Santa Claus Lane, and most locals refer to it as Santa Claus Beach. Seek out this beach for sunbathing and walking on the gradually sloping sand.

The widest part of the beach beach with the easiest access is along Santa Claus Lane. The tightly packed homes on Padaro Lane have been built right to the water’s edge, so at high tide there is little dry sand. At other times, this is a relatively quiet place to walk on the beach (Highway 101 isn’t far away).

Getting to Padaro Beach is easy. Just take exit 88 off Highway 101 between Santa Barbara and Carpinteria, then head toward the ocean and turn onto Santa Claus Lane. You’ll find parking along the road shoulder, then have to walk across railroad tracks and through huge rocks to get to the sand.

There are no facilities here, except for chemical toilets at the main parking area.