Life’s a Beach

Discover some of California’s most spectacular stretches of coastline. Whether you’re looking for a sandy spot to soak up the sun, a peaceful place to walk your pet, or a great surf break to ride a few waves, Montecito’s beaches are not to be missed.

Butterfly Beach

Located along Channel Drive near the Coral Casino Beach & Cabana Club, Butterfly Beach is a popular spot to watch sunrises or sunsets as it’s Santa Barbara’s most west-facing beach. You can sit on “The Wall,” or head down the steps to the sand. Street parking is available, and you can also walk or bike the beautifully landscaped path from Butterfly Beach down to the Andree Clark Bird Refuge.

Miramar Beach

Miramar Beach is a south-facing, narrow beach located on Eucalyptus Lane. There is a small, typically busy parking lot, and you can also search for street parking. Stroll past lots of beach-front homes and the lovely Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel. A true sign of summer, the Rosewood has brought back the Miramar Swim Raft too!

Hammond’s Beach

From the Miramar Beach parking lot, you can walk this stunning path, Hammond’s Meadow Trail, down to Hammond’s Beach, a well-known location for surfers. The Hammond’s Reef surfing spot has a right-breaking wave during large western swells. Situated by private drives and open space, this remains a semi-hidden locals’ spot.

Fernald Point Beach

If you take San Ysidro Road toward the beach, you’ll turn left on South Jameson Lane and go past the Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel and all the way down the road. Once you get to the very end, you will turn right on Posilipo Lane which meets Fernald Point Lane. Fernald Point Beach is another lesser-known beach tucked away by an outlet of the San Ysidro Creek. Street parking is extremely limited.