77°
Mostly Sunny
1%
84
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
Ideal for a beach walk.
77°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Patchy fog after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South southeast wind 0 to 5 mph.
Weather
- 77°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Safety
- UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
82 /100
great
80 Sunbathe
86 Walk
82 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind
5 to 10 mph
SW
Rain
1%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 10 AM–03 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
77°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Water Quality
Clean
190 MPN/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
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
8:59 AM
Sunset
11:10 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:32 AM | High | 5.4 ft |
| 7:22 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 2:02 PM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 7:45 PM | Low | 2.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:27 AM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 7:58 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 2:47 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 9:05 PM | Low | 1.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:32 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 8:32 AM | Low | 1.3 ft |
| 3:35 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 10:42 PM | Low | 1.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:07 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 9:09 AM | Low | 2.0 ft |
| 4:27 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:08 AM | Low | 1.2 ft |
| 6:18 AM | High | 2.8 ft |
| 9:57 AM | Low | 2.5 ft |
| 5:20 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:14 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 8:19 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 11:05 AM | Low | 2.9 ft |
| 6:10 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:05 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:15 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 12:13 PM | Low | 3.0 ft |
| 6:58 PM | High | 5.5 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 9411340, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
77°
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
1%
84
78°
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
1%
86
81°
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
0%
85
82°
Mostly Sunny
0%
85
82°
Sunny
0%
85
79°
Mostly Sunny
1%
86
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
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