Explore Santa Barbara
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Photo courtesy of Leah Schmidt
Santa Claus Beach
Type: Beaches, Free Attractions, Water
10Best Says
A local favorite, Santa Claus Beach is one of Santa Barbara's best kept sandy secrets. A relatively uncrowded wide stretch of soft white sand, Santa Claus is actually located in Carpinteria, a sleepy... Read More
A local favorite, Santa Claus Beach is one of Santa Barbara's best kept sandy secrets. A relatively uncrowded wide stretch of soft white sand, Santa Claus is actually located in Carpinteria, a sleepy beach town just a short drive (or long bike ride!) from downtown Santa Barbara. Santa Claus gets great, mild waves for all sorts of ocean fun: paddle boarding, boogie boarding, general frolicking etc... The shore offers a shallow, gradual entrance, making this a good beach for younger visitors, too. There's limited shade, so bring an umbrella. Restaurants, shops and board rentals are nearby. Free street parking is first come, first serve.
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EXPERT TIPS BY:
Geneva Ives
Santa Barbara Local Expert
- Free Things to Do, Beaches: "Between the natural seashore scenery, mountain backdrop and beachfront homes, you're guaranteed a lot of golden vacation photo opportunities."
- Best for Free Things to Do Because: Santa Claus Beach is where the locals go to have a budget-friendly good time.
- Best for Beaches Because: A beautiful, wide beach with a gradual, sloping entrance. Surf and paddle board rentals are right nearby, as well as a few restaurants.
