Santa Barbara's coast actually faces south, not west — one of the only stretches of the West Coast where this is true — which means warmer water, gentler surf, and uninterrupted sunsets over the Pacific. The Channel Islands sit out to sea like a low blue wall on the southern horizon.
The main city beaches are East Beach, West Beach, and Leadbetter Beach — all easily walkable from downtown. Past the harbour, Arroyo Burro (Hendry's) Beach is the local-favourite cove for sunset and dog-walking. East of town, Butterfly Beach and Miramar Beach in Montecito are quieter and west-facing. For surfers, Rincon Point at the Ventura County line is one of the most famous right-hand point breaks on the West Coast.