Santa Barbara - West
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Positives
- Many right pointbreaks
- Often clean
- Nice weather
- Scenic
Negatives
- Often small or flat
- Extremely crowded
- Pollution
- Traffic
- Urban atmosphere
Santa Barbara - West surf travel guide
Santa Barbara County begins at the Santa Maria River, south of which are five miles (8km) of raw, exposed beachbreak, then 35 miles (56km) of publicly inaccessible Vandenberg Air Force Base beaches. Your best option for surfing the county begins at Jalama Beach, a long, sandy beach with some distinct reefs located in the SW-facing saddle between Arguello and Conception (thus neither Central nor SoCal). A portal of consistent swell and hellish side-onshore winds.
Below Point Conception are the private Bixby and Hollister ranches, a famous 14-mile stretch of coast containing several inconsistent albeit high-quality right points and reefs which are clear of the islands and pick up swells from due S to full N, depending on the spot. The Bixby spots are best during summer SW swells and NW wind; the Hollister spots are best generally during winter. Inaccessible to anyone lacking a HR real estate title, a good boat, or a drive-in connection. Despite fronting private property, these spots get crowded, too.
Surf spots in Santa Barbara - West
Research the 17 surf breaks in Santa Barbara - West and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 17 breaks in Santa Barbara - West.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Santa Barbara - West
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Visas
Due to Covid there are special restrictions so it is essential to check the latest news before booking any trip. Normally most Europeans, Aussies, Kiwis and Japanese are part of the Visa waiver program so do not need a visa to enter the USA for up to 90 days, but they do need to apply for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) which costs US$14.
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta.
Other nationalities need to check as the rules are constantly being adjusted.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_the_United_States
Getting There
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the cheapest places worldwide to fly to. Shuttle vans take people downtown, 45mn away for around $15, which is half the cost of a taxi. LAX is not too far from El Segundo’s spots. Rent a car, drive freeway 405 south until you reach the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Connecting flights to John Wayne Airport take 25 min.
Getting Around
If you can’t rent a car, stay in one place. Rental cars start about $160/w but go as low as $50 for a local rent-a-wreck. You must be over 21 to rent. Gas is cheap (30¢/l). PCH traffic is intense at peak times. Los Angeles has built an impressive system of broad streets and avenues including freeways up to 14 lanes wide. They allow movement quickly across the vast metropolitan complex except during the main commuting hours (7/9 AM and 4/6 PM). Public transport sucks for a surfer with board.
Accommodation
Carpinteria has two Motel 6s at $60-$90. Goleta has several hotels but none at the beach. Santa Barbara (SB) has dozens of beachfront hotels from deluxe to budget, but even “budget” doesn’t mean “cheap” in this very expensive city. Camping is available at Refugio, El Capitan, and Carpinteria state beaches ($30-$40, make reservations well in advance). Fast food is cheap ($10/meal), most restaurants are expensive. Great Mexican food is abundant.
Activities
Take a sailing lesson with Santa Barbara Sailing Center. Over on East Beach you can join a match of volleyball or go skateboard at the waterfront skate park. The mountains above the city are good for hiking and scenic vistas. Stroll along State Street for window-shopping and people-watching. Go wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley. Cruise around the new, hip Funk Zone.
Hazards & hassles
Most pointbreaks visible from Highway 101 will be packed if breaking (even if tiny). Mind private properties. At low tide, the points expose rocks that hurt if hit (use a leash). There are white sharks here but sightings are rare. Beware of hyper-competitive wannabe pro surfers and a large number of kooks.
Handy Hints
Be mentally prepared to surf in a crowd. Don’t bother bringing a gun. A new shortboard costs ±$750. Heaps of stores offer gear: Trim Shop, Rincon Designs, the Beach House, Surf Country, Channel Islands, etc. Have low expectations for the surf, even if there is a forecasted swell. This is the most fickle surf area in Southern California. The ocean here can look like a lake much of the year. The northern half of the county, however, is never flat—head north of Point Conception if you want some less-crowded (Jalama exempted) juice.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.