Santa Barbara Beaches South: Rincon, Carpinteria, Summerland and Butterfly Beaches

South of Santa Barbara, at the Ventura County line, beaches start with surfer territory at Rincon Beach County Park. This beach curves around a headland and draws intermediate and experienced surfers. In summer the waves are gentler, drawing swimmers, too.

Photo Opportunity: Park on the highway above the beach for great surfing shots.

North of the Rincon, the small town of Carpinteria hugs the coast, with Carpinteria City Beach and Carpinteria State Beach (actually just one long, wide beach) very popular with families.

An offshore reef keeps waves here down to gentle swells. Kayaking, surf fishing, birding and tide pooling are also popular here, as are the campgrounds.

North of Carpinteria try Summerland Beach, another great spot for families, thanks to its bluff-top Lookout Park and a playground.

In Montecito, across the road from the Biltmore is Butterfly Beach, named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of its "20 Great American Beaches." The hotel's manicured grounds just across the roadway give this brief, sandy stretch a private-beach feel.

If you're heading south, read about Ventura Beaches. And to the north, read about beaches within the city's limits here.

You can find accommodations at our hotels page, and great restaurants at our dining page.

Don't miss these related pages...

Santa Barbara Introduction Page

Beaches within the City's Limits

Gaviota, El Capitan and Refugio Beaches and North County

Hotels Near South County Beaches

Hotels Near North County Beaches

Restaurants in South County



Come back soon: we'll be adding beach hours and parking information.

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Photos courtesy of the the city's Conference, Visitors Bureau & Film Commission.

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