Leadbetter Beach image

Leadbetter Beach

Bar Tourist attraction Park Public beach

One of the Most Reviewed Parks in Santa Barbara


Address

801 Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, United States

Website

sbparksandrec.santabarbaraca.gov

Contact

+1 805-564-5433

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (1.7K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Sunday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Monday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Tuesday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Wednesday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Thursday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Friday: 8 am to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: beach (22) parking (11) beautiful (8) nice (6) sand (6) Great (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Dennis S. 2 years ago on Google
    Visited Santa Barbara last Sunday for BBQ with my family. Place is clean and nice. We have fun eating and enjoying the sand & water. Will be back here for sure.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Thomas d. 11 months ago on Google
    Great place to kick back and take in the beautiful ocean and islands, go for a long walk, get wet, kayak, or sit and have a quick bite to eat and a drink. From here, you can take a nice long walk up along connecting Shoreline Park and get a better ocean view from the Mesa.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jason B. de L. 2 years ago on Google
    My wife and I are new to bike trail riding and this one has been the most beautiful of our 4 places. This is a coastal ride worth repeating over and over again. Looking forward to doing this coastal ride past the zoo and maybe into the city another time with my Lovely Wife. ☺️🤙🏼
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Darlene B. 1 year ago on Google
    Participated in the Big Run Outrigger Canoe race had a blast very nice beach
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bianca Veisaida B. 1 year ago on Google
    So beautiful ocean... There have few picnic tables. Type of birds walking and looking for food. Little full parking lot space. If you bring a car, little lucky to find a parking spot. Quietly and peace; however, family and friends sound possible annoy other singles and people who not making noise. Also, there is one restaurant and restroom. Cool boats outside. Little many things to do there. This leadbetter beach is seemed to be little many things.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sabrina M. 1 year ago on Google
    Fourth of July 2022! BeST place in the city to see the fireworks! It was a beautiful night! Not cold, not too warm, just right. Be warned, little crabs come out and night and will treat your exposed limbs like furniture! LOL! It was a treat! Not too many people where we were. And we walked. Believe me, it was much better than trying to navigate traffic anywhere near the waterfront of Santa Barbara. Back in college, we used to dig pits the night before and spend the night on the beach, protecting our "territory". Not a possibility any more. Ledbetter Beach is a great beach to explore. We walked down a bunch of wooden steps from Shoreline Park to the beach. It was perfect. Hopefully we can do it all again next year! Be warned though, the tide came in and we couldn't return the way we came. If you try to exit via the dirt path, make sure you have a flash light, and someone to help you up the first giant step. I slipped in the dark, fortunately a couple friends were there to catch me. Thank goodness for friends!! Happy 4th!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shehan F. 1 year ago on Google
    On a weekday during the dusk, we found this beach to be the most peaceful place. The views were incredible. We spent most of the evening looking at the sunset over the mountains, and picking up shells and polished stones.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sara Estella Varela (. 9 months ago on Google
    This is the perfect spot for an impromptu gathering or event without having a reservation. The large picnic area is great and there's a city parking lot onsite with plenty of parking. The restrooms are clean and nearby.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Mick T. 1 year ago on Google
    The places is an awesome beach gets way to crowded sometimes but hey it’s a nice beach. I don’t pay it’s kind of expensive for parking and the people that patrol give tickets but avoid by staying in the car and leaving if you don’t want to pay. Beaches should be free. Update the parking enforcement are all a**holes fire them all.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Quentin F. 2 years ago on Google
    Great restaurant right on the beach and beautiful views. The service is really good. I had Fish & Chips which was ok and salad that was real tasty.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Priscillia L. 6 months ago on Google
    It's a beautiful beach! ⛱️🌊🌴
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Charlie V. 3 months ago on Google New
    High tide or low tide this beach is a great place to walk on the beach, or just sun tan, maybe throw a Frisbee around or walk your dog.

  • 4/5 Alison M. 6 months ago on Google
    Lovely public beach. Would give it five stars if the water wasn't full of so much kelp and stirred up debris. Soft clean sand and a gentle cool breeze made for wonderful sunbathing.

  • 5/5 Melecia L. 5 months ago on Google
    Love this beach. Places to BBQ, grass to do yoga on , restaurants and restrooms close by and always a lot of parking.

  • 3/5 Lauren M. 9 months ago on Google
    Nice spot but the bathrooms were a scene from a horror movie. I was told the men's stalls don't have doors. With all the money in Santa Barbara I would have expected better. But a beautiful stretch of beach with nice picnic areas!

  • 4/5 Chad 1 year ago on Google
    Leadbetter Beach has nice sand & clear water. Adequate and clean facilities, we didn't have trouble parking. Quiet location worth visiting.

  • 4/5 Robert R. 1 year ago on Google
    Was really interesting landscape in the tide pools. Lots of sea urchins and hermit crabs. Love the the huge tree with tons of cormorants. I'll post some pics of them along with the review. Lots of traffic to this beach and there wasn't as much wildlife as i expected but still very with the trip.

  • 5/5 mike a. 1 year ago on Google
    I go there in the morning to see sunrise. U find beautiful rocks on beach. View from harbor is one of the nicest things i see in California. Its like being in a childrens coloring book. The people are enjoyable. Its heaven on earth. Its the cherry on top of California. Go north around the point at low tide, it gets better.

  • 5/5 Joe O. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to catch a tan or picnic. Drive and park right up to the sand at the beach ($2hr parking). Picnic tables, sand, and legendary sunsets!

  • 5/5 Richard C. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing beach! Often quiet and with small waves. Great for families and for SUP'ing

  • 5/5 marcielle p. 1 year ago on Google
    Great for family get together. Reserve with city for $ 239.. all day... beach just a hop skip and a jump away.

  • 4/5 carlene d. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice beach, clean, and uncrowded. Paying for parking is a drag but there are many available spots during the week. Surf is good, not crazy big waves. Sand is finely textured but can get hot of course.

  • 5/5 joseph p. 2 years ago on Google
    What can i say apart from, seaweed....lots of seaweed. Lovely area, bbq areas available. Great views, dog friendly. Awesome place to get away from it all 😌

  • 4/5 Constance A. 2 years ago on Google
    Quick 0hoto opt stop in Santa Barbara. Loads of parking and beach views. Picnic on the grass or on the sand. At least one eatery.


Call +1 805-564-5433 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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