Right Beaches › California › Santa Barbara
Arroyo Burro Beach County Park
4.7★ · 3,383 Google ratings · Santa Barbara, California
✓ Parking✓ Short walk✓ Restrooms✓ Good for kids✓ Free
At a glance
Parking
On-site lot · 150 ft away · free · fills up
Walk
230 ft · under a minute
Restrooms
Yes · 280 ft away
Cost
Free
Water
69°F · modelled, no buoy nearby
Children
Reported good for young kids
Length
0.8 miles of shoreline
Sand
125 yd from the water to the back
Water quality
Mixed · 8% of 100 over the limit · 2025
Crowds
Quietest Thu 8am
Map of Arroyo Burro Beach County Park
1
2
1Parking150 ft from the listing2Restrooms280 ft from the listing
Guide
Good to know
Free parking reported
Visitors report no charge to park here.Mentioned by 38 visitors · 2016–2026
Reported good with little kids
Visitors often mention shallow or calm water. This is what reviewers report, not a safety assessment.Mentioned by 12 visitors · 2016–2026
Perfect for off-leash dog play
The left side of the beach permits dogs to run unleashed and swim in the surf with other dogs.
Visit at low tide for exploration
The exposed flats reveal tide pools, sea glass, shells, and rock formations perfect for families and collectors.
Arrive before noon for parking
The lot fills quickly, especially on weekends and during high season, forcing visitors to search nearby residential streets.
Expect natural tar on sand
Occasional crude oil deposits from offshore seeps stain clothing and skin, requiring rubbing alcohol or baby oil to remove.
Restaurant has long dinner waits
The Boathouse does not accept reservations, so expect 1.5-hour waits on Friday nights or arrive during off-peak hours.
Conditions
How it is right now
Air
68°F · clear
Water
69°F · modelled, no buoy nearby
Waves
3.3 ft · 6 s apart
Wind
3 mph from the ENE
Shelter
Offshore · wind blowing off the land
UV index
7 peak today
| Time | Tide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 15:45 | High tide | ↑ |
Last updated Sep 4, 5:29 AM.
Crowds
When it gets busy
| 8a | 9a | 10a | 11a | 12p | 1p | 2p | 3p | 4p | 5p | 6p | 7p | |
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QuietBusy
Practical
Plan your visit
📍 2981 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, United States
🅿 Parking 150 ft from the listing
🌊 Water 230 ft away, under a minute walk
🚽 Restrooms 280 ft away
Nearby
Other beaches close by
310 ft away
0.8 miles away
0.8 miles away · shorter walk
1.8 miles away · shorter walk
1.8 miles away · shorter walk
2.6 miles away
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Questions
Common questions
Where do you park at Arroyo Burro Beach County Park?
The nearest mapped parking area is 150 ft from the listed location. Positions come from OpenStreetMap, not from review text.
How far is the walk to the water at Arroyo Burro Beach County Park?
230 ft in a straight line from the listing to the mapped shoreline, under a minute. Soft sand and dune make the real walk longer than the straight line.
Does Arroyo Burro Beach County Park have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped 280 ft from the listing.
When is Arroyo Burro Beach County Park least busy?
Google visit patterns put the quietest hour at Thu 8am and the busiest at Sat 5pm.
Measured from OpenStreetMap, public aerial imagery and live conditions data, and counted from visitor reviews. Every source, in full.
