Shoreline Park

With the Santa Ynez mountain range on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, it’s little wonder that this grassy, palm-lined recreation space is a popular spot to spend a few hours. Paved footpaths and bike lanes let you leisurely explore Shoreline Park from one end to the other. Grab snacks on the go, pack a picnic lunch, or bring your dog (on a leash), and settle back and watch the waves—and the surfers catching them.

• You’ll find two on-site parking lots at Shoreline Park. Just note that they can fill up quickly on weekends. There’s also street parking nearby.

• The park has two public restrooms and picnic tables. Bike rentals are available for out-of-town visitors—or anyone who doesn’t have their own set of wheels.

• If you’d like to learn more about the history of Santa Barbara’s famous coastline, there’s a free audio tour online and trail map that covers 11 stops.

• Shoreline Park is dog-friendly, but dogs must be kept on a leash. The one exception is the beach staircase and all of 1,000 Steps Beach, a narrow inlet located west of Shoreline Park.

• You’ll find food and drink vendors nearby, but only selling soft drinks—alcohol consumption is not allowed in the park.

Shoreline Park is centrally located within the East Mesa neighborhood of Santa Barbara. The narrow, grass-covered strip is wedged between downtown and the ocean, and sandwiched between two beaches: 1,000 Steps Beach and the wider, bigger Leadbetter beach. The park is reachable by car or foot from many downtown locations.

The park is open every day from early morning until early evening. It’s a popular spot for morning runners and dog-walkers, or a great place to unwind at the end of the day and watch the sunset. Each spring, Shoreline Park hosts the Santa Barbara Kite Festival, which presents awards to the best handmade kites.

This stunning marine sanctuary—a set of five islands— is viewable from Shoreline Park. It’s known as a rugged paradise and serves as an escape from the bustle of the busy Californian coast. You can visit the islands by private boat or park concessionaire boats. But be warned, there are no food shops on the Channel Islands and no transportation—even by bike. Camping is allowed year-round, but you must bring all your own supplies.