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A hike down one of California's most popular beaches.


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Map Key

1.6

Miles

2.6

KM

Point to Point

14' 4 m

High

6' 2 m

Low

10' 3 m

Up

11' 3 m

Down

0%

Avg Grade (0°)

1%

Max Grade (1°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Swimming · Views

Description

This trail starts out directly across from Santa Barbara's Biltmore Hotel. You can take the paved ramp next to the Coral Casino down to the beach. During low tide you can head up the coast along the sandy beach and eventually end up below the Santa Barbara Cemetery at the bottom of some tall cliffs. Following the cliffs, and continuing up the coast, the beach widens and becomes home to a few beach volleyball courts. The trail will then come to an end at the Cabrillo Pavilion at the edge of East Beach.

Opposed to many other beaches in Santa Barbara, Butterfly Beach is oriented north-south, allowing for great viewing of sunsets over the water.

Parking in the area is scarce and is limited to what can be found on Channel Dr. and the surrounding residential streets.

Thanks to John McKinney, The Trailmaster, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about trails in California, check out his guides at The Trailmaster Store.

Shared By:

John McKinney

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 2 votes

#13274

Overall
  4.0 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#1,315

in California

#13,274

Overall
10 Views Last Month
1,047 Since Jul 17, 2017
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Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Dec 10, 2019
Shane Bandy
May 28, 2018
Austin Gorzlancyk

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