Chase Palm Park is one of Santa Barbara's easiest outdoor pauses, stretched along Cabrillo Boulevard between Stearns Wharf and East Beach. Palms, lawns, playgrounds, and the bike path give it a more relaxed feel than the wharf, while the beach is still right across the way.
It is most useful as part of a waterfront walk. Start near the pier, follow the path east, and you get a good sample of the city's coastal rhythm: skaters, cyclists, families, volleyball, Sunday craft stalls, and the mountains sitting just behind the red-tiled roofs.