Beach guide
Leadbetter Beach
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, CA
Overview
Leadbetter Beach is a city beach between Santa Barbara Harbor and Shoreline Park, across from Santa Barbara City College. The 17.9-acre Leadbetter Beach Park behind the sand has a grassy lawn, reservable picnic and barbecue sites, restrooms, outdoor showers, a restaurant and a paid City parking lot.
Who comes here
Leadbetter is popular with beginning surfers, and catamaran sailors and windsurfers are a common sight off the beach next to the harbor. Swimmers, sunbathers and walkers use the rest of the beach, and Shoreline Park sits just west on the bluff.
Lifeguards and safety
City lifeguards staff towers from Leadbetter to East Beach in summer, with two of them on Leadbetter. Swim near a staffed tower and keep clear of sailboats and windsurfers coming and going near the harbor.
Dogs
Dogs aren't allowed on the sand at Leadbetter. Under city code, the nearest beach where dogs are allowed starts just west, at the Shoreline Park staircase: from there to the Arroyo Burro estuary, licensed, well-behaved dogs may run off-leash.
Getting there & access
Parking
The City's Leadbetter lot sits next to the beach park. It's self-pay 8 a.m.–10 p.m. year-round at $3.50 an hour, up to $20 a day; oversized vehicles pay double. Santa Barbara Harbor's lots are next door.
Walking access
The beach sits directly in front of Leadbetter Beach Park and its lot. Shoreline Park is next door to the west, and Santa Barbara Harbor is next door to the east.
Sailing and windsurfing
Catamaran sailing and windsurfing are popular here. If you sail off the beach, watch for swimmers and beginner surfers when launching and landing.
Picnic reservations
The large Leadbetter Beach Picnic Area with barbecues can be reserved through Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation, (805) 564-5418. Smaller picnic spots are first-come, first-served.
Amenities
- Restrooms — In Leadbetter Beach Park
- Outdoor showers — In Leadbetter Beach Park
- Picnic and BBQ — Reservable Leadbetter Beach Picnic Area plus first-come tables
- Grass lawn — Behind the beach
- Restaurant — In the beach park
- Lifeguard towers — Two City towers on Leadbetter in summer
- Paid parking — City Leadbetter lot next to the park
Rules & official resources
- Dogs are not allowed on the beach at Leadbetter Beach
- City code bars animals from beaches except between the Shoreline Park staircase and the westerly city limits, where licensed dogs may be off-leash from the staircase to the Arroyo Burro estuary
- Alcoholic beverages and weapons are prohibited at City Parks and Recreation facilities and grounds
- No smoking of any substance, including e-cigarettes and vapes, on Parks and Recreation property
- Leadbetter lot is self-pay 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; oversized vehicles pay double, and parking without paying draws a $30 citation ($50 oversized)
Common boat service needs here
Beach-cat and small sailboat care
Beach catamarans and small sailboats sailed here live with salt, sand and sun. Rinsing, waxing and detailing hulls between sessions keeps gelcoat and fittings in shape.
Find Boat Detailing & Washing providers →Harbor slips and storage next door
Leadbetter borders Santa Barbara Harbor, where owners of larger boats keep slips and use the harbor's dock and storage services.
Find Marinas, Storage & Dock Services providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.