94°
Sunny
4%
69
Santa Barbara County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Leadbetter Beach
801 Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
South-facing crescent at the foot of the Santa Barbara bluffs next to the harbor. Calm water, a grassy park, and a beachfront restaurant make it a local favorite for families and beginner surfers.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
Hot — hydrate and seek shade
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 94. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 72. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Weather
- 94°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 3.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
69 /100
good
63 Sunbathe
77 Walk
75 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
94°F
Sunny
Wind
5 to 10 mph
WSW
Rain
4%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
91°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Next High Tide
9:03 PM
6.3 ft · in 1.8h
Wave Height
3.6 ft
8s · SSW swell
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (PZZ650)
The LOX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- CAZ362 Malibu Coast — Los Angeles County Beaches n/a
- CAZ354 Ventura County Beaches n/a
- CAZ349 Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast — Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast n/a
- CAZ340 San Luis Obispo County Beaches — Santa Barbara Central Coast Beaches n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:37 AM
Sunset
7:14 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
91°
Sunny
2%
76
84°
Sunny
0%
84
82°
Sunny
0%
81
79°
Sunny
0%
85
77°
Sunny
0%
85
75°
Mostly Sunny
0%
84
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 94°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Paid lot ($2/hr to $12/day) plus a few free 90-minute spots.
Dogs
No dogs on the sand; leashed dogs allowed in the grassy park area.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
801 Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Leadbetter Beach today?
Leadbetter Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Leadbetter Beach dog-friendly?
No dogs on the sand; leashed dogs allowed in the grassy park area.
Is there an entry fee at Leadbetter Beach?
Entry to Leadbetter Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Leadbetter Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Leadbetter Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Leadbetter Beach?
Amenities at Leadbetter Beach include restrooms, showers, lifeguard tower, picnic tables.
When is the water warmest at Leadbetter Beach?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is Leadbetter Beach located?
Leadbetter Beach is in Santa Barbara County, CA, at 801 Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS