Shoreline Park

Santa Barbara, California Print   Leave a comment

Description

Shoreline Park is another one of those gorgeous Santa Barbara parks! The city outdoes itself every time! Starting at the westernmost tip of the park, walk along the walkway on cliffs above the ocean. Peak over the fence at coves below. Sit on the whale's tail bench or look through the binoculars. Maybe you'll see a whale!
In Spring the flowers at Shoreline Park will awe you, magenta and yellow in color, backed by the bright blue-green sea. Walk down some steps and you will be on the beach. We once sat down there for hours on a blanket and drew an entire city in the sand.
If you follow the beach around to the east you will get to Leadbetter Beach. Or, climb back up the stairs to where you originally climbed down. Continue to walk along Shoreline Park and you will come to an area where a chunk of cliff and sidewalk recently fell off! Unfortunately, there is severe erosion on these cliffs. A sign tells you all about what happened and displays photos.
Continue on for a panoramic view: the white curve of Leadbetter Beach, the sailboats in the harbor, and colorful Stearns Wharf. Continue along the sidewalk and take a steep pathway through dark cypress trees to Leadbetter Beach and the tidepools below.
Shoreline Park has a playground that is especially designed for toddlers. There are usually a few little tikes there having fun.
There are restrooms at Shoreline Park, right where the cliff is eroding, so be fast!!
When you leave Shoreline Park, you can drive along Shoreline Drive to the east. It becomes Cabrillo Blvd. This is the main touristy part of Santa Barbara and there are some great things to see here! First, West Beach Boardwalk, which takes you along the beach to Stearn's Wharf, where you can grab an icecream and enjoy amazing views. Next is Cabrillo Bike Path, a continuation of West Beach Boardwalk. On the other side of the road you can walk along Doubletree Walk on a winding path amongst palms and tropical flowers. You will eventually come to East Beach, and then on the other side of the road the bike path continues along The Lagoon- officially called Andree Clark Bird Refuge. It's marvelous here! The road now veers around and you get back to the freeway.

Photo Gallery

Rows of palms, blue sky, green grass- Shoreline Park is full of color!	Shoreline Park playground.	Sandstone cliffs above blue-green water!
Sit on a whale's tail!	Watch kayakers and sailboats drift by as you sit in the shade of a cypress tree.	I love the color of sandstone cliffs!
Little squirrels come to say hello! Don't touch them though- they may have rabies.	View of Leadbetter Beach from Shoreline Park.

Directions

From Highway 101 southbound, take the Carrillo St exit. Turn right at the exit and head over Santa Barbara Heights to the side of Santa Barbara called "the Mesa." Enjoy the spectacular views as you descend! Carrillo St turns into Meigs Rd. Follow Meigs Rd around a sharp bend and through a neighborhood. Shoreline Park will be on the right. There are two parking lots to choose from.
From Highway 101 northbound, take the Carrillo St Exit. Turn left at the exit and then follow the directions above.
When you leave Shoreline Park, you can drive along Shoreline Drive to the east. It becomes Cabrillo Blvd, the main touristy beach area of Santa Barbara. Drive along Cabrillo Blvd as far as you want, and then to get back to the freeway, turn left on Garden Street or Milpas Street, or just continue straight along Cabrillo Blvd and it winds back to the freeway.

This is an interactive map, you can zoom and move it.

Visitor Ratings

Overall Visitor Rating:

Michael 07/21/2010 09:40	this morning was gray but still beautiful
Bel 05/28/2010 12:58	lovin that walk
emilee 02/10/2010 15:12	hands down the coolest place to bbq in sb
Mohamed 10/15/2009 14:01	I don't know about the rest of the year but I've had a blast there for the marathon more than once!
Marvin 10/01/2009 14:46	best weather in the world, day in, day out...best scenery day in, day out...
Raul 09/13/2009 21:50	Kite flying is fun here. Kids love it.
Jen 09/09/2009 14:33	We usually go to Shoreline Park for my one year old to run around. There is lots of open space and a fun playground.
RP 09/02/2009 21:24	What a fantastic site. Thank you for sharing. It'll be an incredible resource for our students and faculty.