Shoreline Park

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. Peek over the fence at coves below. Sit on the whale's tail bench or look through the binoculars. Maybe you'll see a whale!

On warm days in late summer this park is filled with happy people having BBQs and flying kites. The park is all blue skies, wide lawns, winding cement paths, and rows of palm trees.
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 walk west along the beach you will come to One Thousand Steps Beach. You can walk up these steps and then back to Shoreline Park along the road, making a loop.
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 fell off! Unfortunately, there is severe erosion on these cliffs because of the squirrels. 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. Under the playground is a little table with benches that is popular with kids. There's also a turtle and dolphins to climb. Bring some sand toys to use in the abundance of sand. A large wooden bench in a semi-circle provides tons of seating for parents, some of it in the shade. The playground, however, is not shaded so bring some sunscreen. If you're totally burned out on the playground scene, this playground is less boring than others because you can stand by the waist-high log fence on the ocean side of the playground and look out on the sailboats gliding by on the cerulean sea.
There are restrooms at Shoreline Park, right where the cliff is eroding, so be fast!! There are also some restrooms just up the hill from the playground.
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 ice cream 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 takes you back to the freeway.

Directions

Shoreline Park is located at Shoreline Dr and San Rafael Ave, Santa Barbara CA 93109.
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.

Click on map for interactive view