Shipwreck Playground is located along Cabrillo Boulevard, two blocks east of Stearns Wharf, opposite the ocean. The play area is modeled after the Winfield Scott, a side paddle-wheel steamer that rammed Anacapa Island in 1853.

  • Features: Alcohol Allowed With Permit, Beach, Parking On Site, Parking On Street, Picnic Site, Playground, Reservable Areas, Restrooms
  • Dog Policy: Dogs Allowed On Leash

At Shipwreck Playground children can play on two awesome climbing structures (one designed for kids 2-5 years old and a larger one for kids 5-12) as well as several interesting sculptures such as surfacing whales, a conch shell lighthouse, and a nautilus shell play area – all situated in a white beach sand and other soft surface material. The ship's sinking bow forms a slide, and kids can scamper around on bridges and netting.

A footbridge separates a man-made lagoon--complete with two families of mallards--from cobblestone "creeklets" where small children can splash and wade in sandy water no deeper than their ankles. Even without swings, children will love this playground. Parents will love the view.

Shipwreck Playground is part of a 10-acre extension to the two-mile-long oceanfront Chase Palm Park that has something for everyone - beautiful views of the Pacific, fountains, benches, picnic areas, creeks, a lagoon, bike trails, a skateboard area, the shipwreck-themed playground, and the Great Meadow. There are drop-in picnic areas nearby, as well as reservable picnic areas and event facilities. It is conveniently close to Stearns Wharf, East Beach, and the Funk Zone. The park is a must for pre-teens in Santa Barbara.

Portable Barbecues

Portable barbecues and camp stoves that are self-contained, enclosed with a lid, and raised at least six inches off a surface may be used on any permanent picnic tables at this park or by permit such as a rental or special event. If there are no permanent picnic tables available at this park and it is not a permitted event then no barbecues are allowed at this park. Barbecue users must remove hot coals and ash from the park, unless a hot coal-disposal receptacle is provided.

Panoramas