Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Butterfly Beach

4.0 (2 Ratings)
A hike down one of California's most popular beaches.
1.6
mi
Distance
27
ft
Gain
easy
Difficulty
SwimmingViews

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
1.65mi
Distance
27ft
Elevation Gain
30ft
Elevation Loss
10%
Max Grade
31ft
High Point
0ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
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.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

San Ysidro Falls

Hike Route

San Ysidro Falls

River/Creek
moderate
3.23 mi
+970 ft
Montecito Connections Loop

Hike Route

Montecito Connections Loop

River/Creek
moderate
5.14 mi
+1,478 ft
Buena Vista Loop

Hike Route

Buena Vista Loop

River/Creek
strenuous
3.08 mi
+959 ft
Santa Barbara Harbor

Hike Route

Santa Barbara Harbor

Swimming
easy
1.54 mi
+0 ft
Canyon Loop

Hike Route

Canyon Loop

Hot Spring
moderate
4.36 mi
+1,349 ft
Montecito Peak

Hike Route

Montecito Peak

River/Creek
strenuous
6.95 mi
+2,556 ft
Contributors
John McKinney