SANTA BARBARA OPEN SPACE PARKS
In open space parks, land is protected and managed as a natural environment with passive recreation value and minimal development.
- Douglas Family Preserve: A large open-space area donated to the City that sits above Arroyo Burro Beach. Trails and scenic ocean views. Map
- Equestrian Circle: Open space used as a drop-in equestrian riding ring. In reality this is a tiny plot of tick-infested weeds that is mowed twice a year, and only a few horses a year use it. Map
- Hidden Valley Park: This partially developed, partially wild park offers a lawn, barbecue facilities, playground rated for two- to five-yearolds, and creekside walking path. Map
- Honda Valley Park: Open space parkland with hiking trails through large shade trees and California Coast Live Oak. Map
- Gould Park: Open space parkland and a trail head for Cold Spring Trail. Map
- Laurel Canyon Park: This open space, tucked back in a neighborhood area, is ideal for an informal softball game. Map
- More Mesa Open Space: More Mesa Open Space is one of the most outstanding beach side natural areas in the county. Its open grasslands provide both valuable habitat and miles of informal trails. With sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the coast, More Mesa is fronted by one of the largest and most pristine white sand beaches on Santa Barbara County's South Coast. Map
- Parma Park: This natural open space park features hiking, walking and equestrian trails, vista points, creekside habitats, and abundant wildlife. Mountain bikes are limited to the fire road. Map
- Rattlesnake Canyon: Adjacent to Skofield Park, Rattlesnake Canyon includes Rattlesnake Trail, a popular hiking and equestrian destination that connects with other front country trails. Mountain biking is not allowed. Map
- San Marcos Foothills Preserve: This 200-acre nature preserve features walking trails through hills, meadows & canyons. Map
SANTA BARBARA PASSIVE PARKS
These are developed parks of natural, cultural, or ornamental quality suited to outdoor recreation such as bird watching, walking, and picnicking.
- Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden: This “crown jewel” of City parks features a large botanical collection, koi pond, sensory garden with audio posts and interpretive Braille signs, picnic areas, and a gazebo. Map
- Ambassador Park: Located across from West Beach, this small park has a scenic view of the harbor, wharf, and islands. This park location is a historic marker for Burton Mound, a former Chumash Village. Map
- Courthouse Sunken Gardens: This magnificent Spanish-Moorish "palace" was built in 1929 and is surrounded by lawns and a sunken tropical garden that plays host to many functions throughout the year. Hardly a Sunday afternoon goes by that a festival, concert or get together of some sort isn't taking advantage of the beauty of this setting. Even if there is not an event going on, the Sunken Gardens is a very popular park for people who live or work downtown. Map
- Franceschi Park: Originally the home of famed botanist Francesco Franceschi, the grounds of this park offer unmatched views of the city below, and contain a rare botanical collection. Map
- Mission Historical Park: The park consists of ruins of Mission Santa Barbara’s old reservoir, aqueduct, tannery vats, filter house, grist mill, pottery, and the A. C. Postel Memorial Rose Garden with over 1,500 roses. Large grassy areas include a reservable reception area. Map
- Moreton Bay Fig Tree: Planted in the nineteenth century, this tree is one of the largest of its kind in the nation, with a trunk measuring 38 feet in circumference. Map
- Orpet Park: The park has ocean views, rare plants and trees, picnic tables, and walking paths. Map
- San Roque Park: Triangular street median neighborhood park with grassy area and large shade trees. Map
SANTA BARBARA NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
Neighborhood parks are small and typically serve a limited geographic area and local population. Community gardens are included in this category.
- Bath Street Pocket Park: A small neighborhood park with benches and a playground. The playground is rated for two- to five-year-olds. Map
- Bohnett Park: A neighborhood park with large shady trees, playground rated for five- to twelve-year-olds, picnic areas, and native plants. Map
- Eastside Neighborhood Park: This neighborhood park is a popular location for barbecues and birthday parties, with plenty of shade, a playground rated for two- to five-year-olds, and an on-site restroom. Close to the Franklin Neighborhood Center. The Yanonali Community Garden is located here, with plots available for rent. Map
- Escondido Park: Picturesque city vistas, walking paths, a half-size basketball court and playground rated for two- to five-year olds are features of this park located on the Mesa. Stately trees and attractive wild flowers add to the beauty of this unique site. Map
- Hilda McIntyre Ray Park: A small park with beautiful views of the city and Santa Ynez mountains that can be enjoyed from the picnic tables or the playground area. The playground is rated for two- to five-year-olds. Map
- Sylvan Park: A small neighborhood park overlooking the city and a good place for some quiet reading, an informal picnic, or a quick walk with a dog. Map
- La Mesa Park: This lush neighborhood park features a playground rated for five- to twelve-year-olds, reservable picnic sites, towering trees, and a short walk to an ocean view. Map
- Los Robles Park: A grassy creekside park with a scenic play and relaxation area. Map
- Parqué de los Niños & Children’s Orchard: This tiny gem of a neighborhood park features hand-painted tiles by local children, a playground rated for both two- to five-year-olds and five- to twelve-year-olds, children’s orchard, vegetable garden, and lawn areas. Map
- Plaza Vera Cruz: Santa Barbara’s first City park, this downtown plaza features a playground rated for five- to twelve-year-olds and an open lawn area with large eucalyptus, palms and rare Montezuma Cypress trees. Map
- Stevens Park: A canyon park reaching up San Roque Canyon to the historic trails of the Santa Ynez Range. Playground rated for two- to five-year-olds, creekside and hiking trails through San Roque Canyon, and reservable picnic and barbecue sites. Map
- Sunflower Park: This quaint neighborhood park contains a playground rated for five- to twelve-year-olds, benches, and many colorful plants and trees. It is often used by young families and is popular for its pleasant landscaping. Map
- Willowglen Park: In the autumn, this neighborhood park is one of the most colorful in the area as the leaves on the trees change color before falling. The park has a playground rated for two- to five-year-olds, an informal ball field, and a grassy area. Map
SANTA BARBARA BEACH PARKS
These areas provide access to the ocean and sand for passive and active recreation.
- East Beach: The beachfront at East Beach offers picnic facilities, a playground, more than 12 volleyball courts, and a full service restaurant. The Cabrillo Pavilion Bathhouse offers showers, lockers, a weight room, and beach wheelchair and volleyball rentals. Map
- Leadbetter Beach: Large beach and park adjacent to the Santa Barbara Harbor and Shoreline Park. Many catamaran sailors and wind surfers use this beach. Reservable grassy picnic and barbecue sites. Map
- West Beach: Situated between Stearns Wharf and the harbor, this beach offers a sandy area for sunbathing, swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, and beach volleyball. Large palm trees and a wide walkway and bike path make this beachfront area a popular tourist spot. Map
- Mesa Lane Steps: The only access to the beach for one mile in either direction. Map
- More Mesa Open Space: More Mesa Open Space is one of the most outstanding beach side natural areas in the county. Its open grasslands provide both valuable habitat and miles of informal trails. With sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the coast, More Mesa is fronted by one of the largest and most pristine white sand beaches on Santa Barbara County's South Coast. Map
- Thousand Steps: Coastal access to the beach below, originally constructed in 1923. Map
- Shoreline Steps: Coastal access to the beach below Shoreline Park. Map
SANTA BARBARA COMMUNITY PARKS
These multi-use parks are often where special, pre-arranged activities and themed recreational activities and festivals occur.
- Alameda Plaza & Kids World: Alameda Plaza is one of the City’s oldest parks. The park features unique rare trees, a bandstand, and is the home of Kids’ World, an 8,000-square-foot playground rated for two- to twelve-year olds and featuring a castle, swings, and slides. Reservable children’s party and picnic sites. Map
- Chase Palm Park - Ocean Side: A narrow park adjacent to East Beach with a soccer field and bike path/walkway from Stearns Wharf to East Beach, home of the Arts and Crafts show. Map
- Chase Palm Park - Mountain Side: This 10-acre later addition to the park features fountains, a lagoon, and a playground with a shipwreck theme, which is rated for both two- to five-year-olds and five- to twelve-year-olds. The stage is home to Concerts in the Park, a City free summer concert series. Indoor and outdoor areas are popular rental sites for parties and weddings. Map
- De La Guerra Plaza: Located in the heart of downtown close to the Paseo Nuevo shopping mall, this cozy grass plaza has park benches and is the site of many public celebrations. Close to local cafés and shops on State Street. Map
- Elings Park: Elings Park is a private, non-profit park with numerous recreation areas and incredible views of the city and ocean. From weddings and special events to sports and recreation, Elings offers a variety of activities guaranteed to create enjoyable days for all. Map
- Oak Park: A popular picnic and recreation site. Home to a variety of cultural festivals. Playgrounds rated for two- to five-year-olds and five- to twelve-year olds, two public tennis courts, an outdoor raised wooden dance floor, horseshoe pits, and reservable picnic and barbecue sites. An 18-inch deep wading pool for children ages seven and younger is open June–August with an on-duty lifeguard. Map
- Ortega Park: A family-oriented park with a youth softball field, outdoor basketball courts, playground rated for five- to twelve-year-olds, and a four-foot-deep pool (open in summer only) with on-duty lifeguard. Reservable indoor kitchen and outdoor picnic and barbecue sites. Map
- Plaza del Mar: One of the oldest City parks, Plaza del Mar is near the harbor and Los Baños del Mar Swimming Pool, with grassy areas, a band shell, and shade trees. The park has shared use with Santa Barbara City College for sports activities. Map
- Rocky Nook Park: Just past the historic landmark Santa Barbara Mission, Rocky Nook Park includes towering trees, shaded picnic areas, short trails, and the area is strewn with large sandstone boulders. Map
- Shoreline Park: One of the most popular parks overlooking the beach and harbor. A playground rated for two- to five-year-olds, large grassy areas, walking paths, views of the Channel Islands and whale watching, a sister-city Japanese garden, and a stairway to the beach. Reservable picnic and barbecue areas. Map
- Skofield Park: Nestled high in the foothills, this park boasts grassy meadows, walking and hiking trails, numerous native shade trees, and reservable picnic and barbecue sites. Map
- Tucker's Grove Park: San Antonio Creek meanders through this oak woodland environment, where group outings of up to 400 people, are popular. Hikers may take the long creek side trail to San Marcos Pass. The upper Kiwanis Meadows provides a sizable grassy area often used for wedding receptions. Amenities include Ball Fields, BBQ Grills, Benches or Picnic Tables, Bike Trails, Equestrian Trails, Group Picnic Areas, Hiking Trails, Horseshoes, Playground, and Restrooms. Map
SANTA BARBARA RECREATION & SPORTS AREAS
These are mainly outdoor facilities where recreational activities and organized sports and tournaments occur and may include related buildings and parking areas.
- Cabrillo Ball Park: This softball field has a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and is the site of Herbert Bayer’s Chromatic Gate sculpture. Map
- Carrillo Street Gym: Next to Carrillo Recreation Center city landmark. Available to rent for sporting activities. Map
- Dwight Murphy Field: This sports area has one softball field, one soccer field, bleachers, a fitness circuit-training course, and a playground rated for both two- to five-year-olds and five- to twelve-year-olds. Map
- Los Baños del Mar Swimming Pool & West Beach Wading Pool: Los Baños del Mar Swimming Pool is a 50-meter outdoor swimming facility near the harbor. Lap swimming and open swim; please check schedule. On-duty lifeguards, lockers, spring board, starting blocks. Seven lanes, 31/2 feet to 10 feet deep. There is also a playground rated for two- to five-year-olds. Map
- MacKenzie Park: A two-level park with lawn bowling greens, a clubhouse, a reservable facility with kitchen, fireplace, barbecue pit, and large patio adjacent to open playing fields. The park also has a playground rated for two- to five-year-olds and two youth baseball fields. At the east end of the park is a fenced off-leash dog area. Map
- Municipal Tennis Center: Twelve hard tennis courts. Three lighted courts until 9pm Monday–Friday. Racket stringing, equipment rentals, and locker facilities. Map
- Pershing Park: Two softball fields and one baseball field adjacent to eight lighted hard tennis courts. Courts open to the public weekends and after 5pm weekdays. Four courts lit until 9pm Monday–Friday. Map
- Skater’s Point Skate Park: This 14,600-square-foot skate park is located along the waterfront. Features include a half-pipe, rails, fun boxes, and other skating elements. Helmets and elbow and knee pads required at all times. Admission is free. Map
- Spencer Adams Park: This downtown park features lawn bowling greens. The park is home to the Louise Lowry Davis Center. Map
