Elings Park, Santa Barbara County Travel Guide

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Discover Santa Barbara's premier recreational park with sports, outdoor adventures, stunning views & event venues.

Elings Park, a 230-acre non-profit park in Santa Barbara, offers diverse recreational activities and stunning views. Once a city landfill, it's now a hub for sports, outdoor adventures, and events, making it a unique destination for locals and tourists alike.

A brief summary to Elings Park

1298 Las Positas Rd, Santa Barbara, Elings Park, California, 93105, US
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Elings Park.

Check the Elings Park event calendar for outdoor music concerts, festivals, and sporting events.
Bring your dog! Elings Park is dog-friendly, with off-leash access available to members of the Elings Park Dog Owners Group.
Explore the hiking trails on the south side of the park for panoramic views of the city and ocean.
Visit the Veterans' Memorial Walk and Terrace of Remembrance to honor county residents who died in service.

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Explore Elings Park on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Elings Park, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

From Highway 101, take the Las Positas Road exit (Exit 100) and head south. The park entrance is on the left. Parking is free on weekdays, but there is a $6 fee per car on weekends. Limited parking is available during special events.
Public Transport

Santa Barbara MTD bus line 5 stops near the entrance to Elings Park. From the bus stop, it's a short, but somewhat steep, walk to the main park area.

Discover more about Elings Park

Elings Park, formerly the Las Positas Friendship Park, is a 230-acre recreational haven born from a unique vision in the 1960s: to transform Santa Barbara's old city landfill into a space for community enjoyment. Officially opened in 1985, the park has grown into one of the largest privately funded parks in America, offering a wide array of activities and breathtaking views of the city and Pacific Ocean.The park is divided into distinct areas. Elings Park North is the primary location for sports fields, including baseball, soccer, softball, lacrosse, and rugby. This area also hosts the Veterans' Memorial Walk and event venues. Elings Park South caters to outdoor enthusiasts with hiking, mountain biking, and horse-riding trails. Here, you'll also find the paragliding and hang gliding providers, taking advantage of the bluffs.Elings Park boasts amenities for various interests, including six tennis courts, playgrounds, landscaped walkways, a BMX track, and a radio-controlled car track. The park's trails offer nine miles of multi-use paths with scenic vistas. Godric Grove and Singleton Pavilion serve as popular wedding and event venues, offering outdoor settings with mountain and ocean views.Throughout the year, Elings Park hosts numerous events, including sporting tournaments, beer festivals, and outdoor music concerts. The park also provides unique experiences like disc golf and remote-controlled aircraft flying.Elings Park is more than just a recreational space; it's a community treasure that embodies the spirit of Santa Barbara.