Our Parks

Since 1890, Santa Barbara County has offered an enormous variety of beautiful outdoor spaces for public enjoyment.

Whether you seek to host a camping cookout, a causal company picnic, or a choreographed wedding atop a

panoramic sea cliff, along a cozy stream, in a cool redwood grove, on a sandy beach or lakeside, any scenario

 is possible in one or more of our county parks.

Below is just a peek at the great diversity of our county's natural open spaces.

The Parks Department also provides a full list of county parks, including features and directions.

 

Arroyo Burro Beach

Cachuma Lake

Rocky Nook Park

Goleta Pier

Butterfly Beach

Goleta Beach

Point Sal

Richardson Park

Nojoqui Falls Park

Isla Vista Sea Lookout Park

Manning Park

Ocean Beach

Rincon Beach

Aquired by the county in 1947, this off-leash beach is known for it's swimming, surfing, and recently redone beachside restaurant. Tucked into the sandy cliffside is the sweeping rock staircase of the Coastal Overlook installation, still under construction, but scheduled for public unveiling in the next few months.

Cachuma Lake was formed in 1953 by the Bradbury Dam and is now a domestic water source for the county. The lake offers year-round recreation opportunites that include tent, trailor and RV camping, yurt rental, boat rental, bike, equestrain and hiking trails, picnic areas, wildlife cruises on the lake, swimming pools and a nature center.

Overlooking Mission Creek, this 20-acre park is set among striking oak and sycamore trees, with BBQ fascilities, a children's play area and horseshoe pits. This area was once a favorite camping spot of the local indians during the active California Mission days, and is now home to the Parks Administration Office nestled in the ample shade.

This 1500 foot fishing pier was originally built during World War II for supply purposes in conjunction with the Marin Core training center that stood in the place of today's UC campus. In the 1960s it doubled in size to it's current length and is now a popular vantage point and fishing pier. Avid fisher's have encountered halibut, corbina, bass, rockfish, barred surfperch, guitarfish, and thornback rays in the pier's waters.

Butterfly Beach is a slightly sloping strench of coastal sand in quiet Montecito. It is among the most westward facing beaches in the county, perfect for watching the sun set over the ocean.

This half mile of sandy beach and grassy knoll was granted to the County by the State of California in 1970. Visitors enjoy BBQ fascilities, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, and a nearby restaurant, all conviently stationed beside ample parking for easy loading for group events. Locals and students alike enjoy it's soaring palms and scenic beach.

Point Sal's 80 acres of land and 1.5 miles of coastline is home to an abundance of coastal sage, chaparral communities, and the giant coreopsis. Heavy rains in 1998 devastated it's only access road, but in May of this year Air Force and County officials agreed to reopen the region under a new access arrangment.

This North County park is a great location for children to enjoy it's playgrounds, picnic tables and extensive grass lawn. The 15.74 acre park was originally donated to the County in 1950 by the Richfield Oil Company.

Nojoqui Falls is an oak woodland featuring California live oaks, sycamores and California bays. Winter and early spring hikers can view the only large waterfall within the county along the Nojoqui Falls trail. The Park also offers softball diamonds,volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and an ampitheater.

In 1987, twenty years after it's county aquisition, Isla Vista park was trasnformed by environmentnal artist Lloyd Hamrol. Co-funded by the County Arts Commission and a State grant, the project featured three redwood platforms and landscaping to provide improved erosion control and asthetic enjoyment. Today this beloved and well used cliff side park is showing it's 30 years of weather wear and its fundrasing and restoration is scheduled for the coming months.

Manning Park is broken into two separate and contrasting terrains: the manicured estate landscaping and the California live oak coverage in the barranca (creek) areas. This multilevel park features BBQ areas, recreational activites, and three popular wedding sites.

This small oceanfront park is ideal for surf fishing and bird watching, and is home to the endangered California least tern, as well as a host of indigenous saltwater marsh plants. The area was originally proposed as a race track but was purchased and preserved by the county in 1913.

Since it's 1967 aquisition, Rincon has provided it's visitors with peaceful sun bathing and surfing, but also offers art installations and wooden platforms for breathtaking views and photography. The entry road supports an abundance of eucalyptus trees, pine and saltbruh, while the bluff area is lined with lemonade berry, elderberry, and the frequent observance of shore birds and red-tailed hawks.

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Arroyo Burro Beach

Aquired by the county in 1947, this off-leash beach is known for it's swimming, surfing, and recently redone beachside restaurant. Tucked into the sandy cliffside is the sweeping rock staircase of the Coastal Overlook installation, still under construction, but scheduled for public unveiling in the next few months.

 

 

The Official Site of the
County of Santa Barbara County Parks Department
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