East Beach Activities

East Beach is a gathering place for both locals and out of town visitors. While its gentle waves don't attract many surfers, East Beach is a great place for families to enjoy the water and the sand. Picnickers, sun bathers, skim boarders, and kite flyers all mingle along the long beach. But if anything defines East Beach, it's volleyball.

Volleyball

Fifteen volleyball courts at the eastern end of East Beach are in steady use. They are available for anyone. Some of the world's leading volleyball players can be found practicing here. Among them are Olympic champions Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser as well as three-time gold medalist Karch Kiraly. The Friends of East Beach Association has been working to improve the condition of the courts.

Volleyball Leagues

The City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Department sponsors beach volleyball leagues in the summer and fall. Adult coed leagues play at East Beach on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings from June through August. Summer Youth Beach Volleyball Clinics and Camps are offered at East Beach.
City of Santa Barbara Sports

Parks and Recreation Beach Activities

Kiteboarding Clinic

Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation offers five one-week kiteboarding clinics for ages 12 to 18 at East Beach during the summer. Participants learn basic kiteboarding skills, including safety, launching, and landing.

Boogie and Surf Camp

Boogie and Surf Camp for children focuses on having fun at the beach while building confidence and camaraderie. Activities include building drip sandcastles, digging up sand crabs, and learning to have fun with their choice of board.

Flight Camp

Children learn how to launch, fly, and recover kites safely through the camp's "power kiting experience". Basic and advance skills are taught with a counselor to camper ratio of 1:10.

These and other camps are offered in the summer by Santa Barbara's Parks and Recreation Department. Check their current catalog of activities:
Parks and Recreation Activities

Over on West Beach

West Beach is used mostly for volleyball and boat launching. With boats coming and going from the harbor, the beach is not used for swimming. Look for Santa Barbara's annual Summer Fun Guide is released in early March.

Ka Nai'a Outrigger Club

The Ka Nai'a Outrigger Club is an organization of amateur athletes that offers outrigger canoe training and recreation to the Santa Barbara community. The club holds a free open house every Saturday at 10:00 AM on West Beach. New paddlers are given a general orientation to the sport and taught basic techniques. Look for their green and white boats.
Ka Nai'a Outrigger Club

Ka Naiĺa Outrigger & Kayaking Clinic

Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation offers a one week paddling clinic for ages 8 to 16. Participants learn paddling techniques for canoes, water safety, and more. The one week session usually runs in mid-July.
Parks & Rec Activity Guide

Stand Up Paddling Clinic

Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation offers seven one-week stand up paddle boarding clinics for ages 12 to 16. Participants learn paddling techniques, balance, and safety. They enjoy races and eco tours. The one-week long sessions usually run from mid-June through the first week in August. Look for information usually announced in the spring.
Parks & Rec Activity Guide

Volleyball on West Beach

Several volleyball courts for public use are located on West Beach.

Kardboard Kayak Race

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum and Semana Nautica have hosted an annual Kardboard Kayak Race on a Saturday in mid-July at West Beach in past years. In the event, teams of 4 create and paddle their kardboard kayaks. Family Fun heat (paddlers 14 years old or younger) and Paddling Pros heat (adults). It's a great day of fun at the beach. Check the Maritime Museum's event calendar for a return of the event in 2023. And while you are there, browse their website to discover a host of wonderful activities and events sponsored by the museum.
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum Events

Semana Nautica Sports Festival

Santa Barbara beaches, Santa Barbara, CA
June TBA, 2024
A week of athletic events such as ocean swimming, fishing, water polo, volleyball, biathlon, 15k race, cycling, sailing, lawn bowling, and much more.
Semana Nautica Summer Sports Festival

Summer Solstice Celebration

Alameda Park, Santa Barbara, CA
June 21-23, 2024
Saturday Parade draws crowds of spectators to view floats, giant puppets, whimsical costume and masks. Dancing and music.
Summer Solstice Celebration

Wheel Fun Rentals

24 East Mason Street, Santa Barbara
One block from the beach
Rentals of all kinds of pedal vehicles from surreys to quad sports, from cruisers to kids' bikes. Beach gear, boogie boards, and roller blades.
Wheel Fun Rentals