1000 Steps Beach: A Coastal Escape
Discover a secluded Santa Barbara beach with stunning views, tide pools, and a stairway to coastal bliss in the Mesa neighborhood.
1000 Steps Beach, nestled in Santa Barbara's East Mesa neighborhood, offers a secluded and scenic retreat. Despite its name, the beach is accessed via approximately 150 steps, leading to a narrow, rocky shoreline ideal for tide pool exploration and stunning sunset views.
A brief summary to 1000 Steps Beach
- 1429 Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, East Mesa, California, 93109, US
- Visit website
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Check the tide schedule before visiting, as the beach is best enjoyed during low tide.
- Wear sturdy shoes for the stairway and exploring the rocky beach.
- Bring your dog to enjoy the off-leash area, but be mindful of other beachgoers.
- Arrive early to find parking, especially on weekends and during peak season.
Getting There
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Walking
From Shoreline Park, walk west along Shoreline Drive for about half a mile. Turn right onto Santa Cruz Boulevard. The entrance to 1000 Steps Beach is at the end of the street. Be prepared to descend the staircase to reach the beach.
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Public Transport
From downtown Santa Barbara, take MTD bus route 1 or 2. Get off at the 'Shoreline Dr. & Santa Barbara Zoo' stop. Walk east along Shoreline Drive for about 0.5 miles. Turn left onto Santa Cruz Boulevard. The entrance to 1000 Steps Beach will be on your left at the end of the street. Bus fare is around $1.75.
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Taxi/Ride-Share
From downtown Santa Barbara, a taxi or ride-share to 1000 Steps Beach will cost approximately $15-25 and take around 10-15 minutes. Request a drop-off at the intersection of Shoreline Drive and Santa Cruz Boulevard.
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Driving
From Highway 101, exit onto Carrillo Street towards CA-192. Turn left onto State Street, then continue onto Shoreline Drive. Turn right onto Santa Cruz Boulevard. Limited free parking is available at the end of Santa Cruz Boulevard. Additional street parking can be found along Shoreline Drive and on Santa Cruz Boulevard.
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