Mesa Lane Beach is a narrow beach below the cliffs of the Mesa area of Santa Barbara and is typically a destination for locals as tourists usually have no idea it's there. The beach, also known as Mesa Lane Steps, is accessible during low tides for walking, sunbathing, etc. but during hightide it is mostly underwater. Getting to the beach involves a hike down a long set of stars beach here. West of Mesa Lane Beach the beach continues to be narrow and passes below the Douglas Family Preserve and eventually becomes a wide when you arrive at Hendry's Beach (officially known as Arroyo Burro Beach).
- Amenities: No Facilities, Tide Pools
- Activities: Beach Walking, Sunbathing, Surfing
- Dog Policy: Dogs allowed off leash
Dogs are only allowed off leash on the beach in Santa Barbara in one specific, continuous stretch of beach: west (right as you face the ocean) of the beach staircase at Shoreline Park, all of Thousand Steps Beach, all of Mesa Lane Beach, and east (left as you face the ocean) of the mouth of Arroyo Burro Creek at Hendry's Beach.
Mesa Lane Beach is home to Santa Barbara's famous Inverted Trees which appear to be growing upside down. In reality they grew normally on the bluffs until erosion caused them to nosedive to the beach below. Walk right/west to see them. The trees and Mesa Lane Beach are prominently features in Gordon Lightfoot's music video Sundown."
Mesa Lane is a nice alternative access point to Hendry's Beach on the really warm days when there are huge crowds there. Most people who visit Hendry's Beach rarely venture more than a half mile in either direction, which means it likely won't be crowded.
Directions: From the 101 freeway exit at Las Positas Road. Turn toward the ocean and as you approach the coastal area turn left on Cliff Drive. Turn right Mesa Lane and continuing to the end at Edgewater Way. There usually plenty of parking in the neighborhood surrounding Mesa Lane Beach.