East Beach and
West Beach Activities

East Beach Activities

East Beach is a gathering place for both locals and out of town visitors. While its gentle waves don't attract many surfers, East Beach is a great place for families to enjoy the water and the sand. Picnickers, sun bathers, skim boarders, and kite flyers all mingle along the long beach. But if anything defines East Beach, it's volleyball.

Volleyball

Fifteen volleyball courts at the eastern end of East Beach are in steady use. They are available for anyone. Some of the world's leading volleyball players can be found practicing here. Among them are Olympic champions Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser as well as three time gold medalist Karch Kiraly. The Friends of East Beach Association has been working to improve the condition of the courts.

Volleyball Leagues

The City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Department sponsors beach volleyball leagues in the summer and fall. Adult coed leagues play at East Beach on Monday and Tuesday evenings from June through August. Summer Youth Beach Volleyball Clinics are held in the mornings through the summer.
City of Santa Barbara Sports

Parks and Recreation Beach Activities

Kiteboarding Clinic

Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation offers five one-week kiteboarding clinics for ages 12 to 18 at East Beach. Participants learn basic kiteboarding skills, including safety, launching, and landing. The one-week sessions run from July through early August, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Summer Fun Catalog

2019 Junior Lifeguards

Children from ages 9 to 17 can participate in Santa Barbara's Junior Lifeguard Program. Participants learn about ocean safety and environmental education. During the 7-week long sessions they learn lifesaving skills, first aid, and CPR. They also develop their physical fitness and learn ocean recreation skills. Participants are divided into age groups, 9-11 years, 12-13 years, and 14-17 years.

The 7-week program has only one session running from June 17 to August 2, 2019 - 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM Monday through Friday. They meet at the Cabrillo Bathhouse on East Beach.

There is also a two-week long Junior Lifeguard Nippers Program for ages 7 - 13. It runs from June 10 to June 21, 2019. The Nippers program has many of the same components as the 7-week program.
For complete information on all the programs, see
Santa Barbara Junior Lifeguards
Information: (805) 897-2680

Tryouts

All new applicants for Junior Lifeguards must pass a swim test before they can participate in the program. Tryouts are usually held in early May at Los Banos Pool, 401 Shoreline Drive. (805) 897-2680

Wheel Fun Rentals

23 East Cabrillo Avenue, Santa Barbara
Wheel Fun Rentals

Over on West Beach

West Beach is used mostly for volleyball and boat launching. With boats coming and going from the harbor, the beach is not used for swimming. The annual Summer Fun Guide is released in early March.

Ka Nai'a Outrigger Club

The Ka Nai'a Outrigger Club is an organization of amateur athletes that offers outrigger canoe training and recreation to the Santa Barbara community. The club holds a free open house every Sunday at 10:00 AM on West Beach. New paddlers are given a general orientation to the sport and taught basic techniques. Look for their green and white boats.
Ka Nai'a Outrigger Club

Ka Nai’a Outrigger & Kayaking Clinic

Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation offers a one week paddling clinic for ages 8 to 16. Participants learn paddling techniques for canoes, water safety, and more. The one week session runs in mid-July, from 9:00 AM to noon.
Parks & Rec Activity Guide

Stand Up Paddling Clinic

Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation offers seven one-week stand up paddle boarding clinics for ages 12 to 16. Participants learn paddling techniques, balance, and safety. They enjoy races and eco tours. The one-week long sessions run from mid-June through the first week of August, from 9:00 AM to noon.
Parks & Rec Activity Guide

Volleyball on West Beach

Several volleyball courts for public use are located on West Beach.

Kardboard Kayak Race

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum and Semana Nautica host the annual Kardboard Kayak Race on a Saturday in mid-July at West Beach (2017 date yet to be announced). Teams of 4 create and paddle their kardboard kayaks. Family Fun heat (paddlers 14 years old or younger) and Paddling Pros heat (adults). $30 entry fee.
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

Kayaking the Santa Barbara Coast

With the gentle surf at West Beach, it is a convenient place to launch kayaks and set out to explore the Santa Barbara coast.

Sea Landing

Located on the harbor side of West Beach, Sea Landing offers scuba diving and Channel Island excursions along with kayak and jet ski rentals.
301 West Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, CA
(805) 963-3564   Sea Landing
3 hour and full day rentals of tandem and single kayaks

Paddle Sports Center

Santa Barbara Harbor
117 B Harbor Way
Single and tandem kayak rentals, stand-up paddleboard rentals, wetsuits, surf boards, boogie boards
Open 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM in the summer, shorter hours the rest of the year
Paddle Sports Center

Santa Barbara Adventure Company

Kayaking tours around Santa Barbara Harbor, Refugio Beach, Fun Paddles along Santa Barbara shoreline and Sunset tours of the harbor.
Santa Barbara Adventure Company