Santa Barbara Parks

Elings Park is the United States' largest privately-funded park, located near U.S. Highway 101 in Santa Barbara. The 230-acre nonprofit park was opened to the public in 1985 as Las Positas Park, located on the site of the former Santa Barbara City dump facility, and is named today in honor of donor Virgil Elings. Park visitors can enjoy one of the United States' premiere paragliding and hang-gliding trails along the park's South Bluffs, which receive spectacular prevailing wind conditions. Over nine miles of multi-use trails provide unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean coastline, while children's playgrounds and sports fields offer opportunities for day-use activities for visitors of all ages. Other attractions include the Elings Park International Raceway, the city's only designated radio-control off-roading course, and the Elings Park BMX Raceway, the city's only designated BMX track.

1298 Las Positas Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, Phone: 805-569-5611

Cisco Grove Gould Park is a lovely 15.7-acre park that is located near Interstate 40 and the Yuba River's southern fork, opened to the public in 2006. The park is overseen cooperatively by the Placer Land Trust, the Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust, and the Gould Family and preserves significant montane riparian and aquatic habitats on lands that were once owned by California "Big Four" pioneer James Gould. Lovely yellow pine, cottonwood, and Ponderosa pine coniferous forested areas stretch throughout the park, with a small protected freshwater emergent wetland area located near the banks of the river. Two historic structures from the region's commercial land use history are also preserved near Highway 40 within the park's boundaries. Day-use picnic sites are open to the public, along with restrooms and a public parking area.

Gould Park, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, Phone: 805-564-5418

Hale Park is one of Santa Barbara's most picturesque public park facilities, named in honor of Kathleen Hale, the widow of Frederick Forrest Peabody. The park's land area, which sits at the city boundary between Santa Barbara and Montecito, was donated to the City of Santa Barbara in 1954 and has been developed into a 13-acre open space park framed by the backdrop of the Montecito foothills. The rustic neighborhood park showcases growth of tall eucalyptus and oak trees and offers opportunities for walking with four-legged friends off leash along its trails and open spaces. A small creek runs through the center of the park, crossing its meandering and looping trail areas. Day-use picnic areas are available for relaxation throughout the year.

Hale Park, Santa Barbara, CA 93108, Phone: 805-963-0611

Romantic Santa Barbara Parks

Hidden Valley Park is a partially-developed family-friendly park in Santa Barbara, showcasing more than 15 acres of beautiful creekside landscape and wildlife areas. The park, which is located deep within a sunken area of the Hidden Valley, is accessible via a steep path which leads to a children's playground and large grassy area perfect for picnics and relaxation. Visitors can make use of the park's barbecue grills or let young ones play on slides, spinners, and toddler swings, which are protected by a rubber mat surface. Tall trees protect the park, which serves as a popular community gathering space throughout the year for regional children and families. Visitors should note that no restrooms are offered on site and should plan accordingly when bringing young children to the park.

Hidden Valley Park, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, Phone: 805-564-5433

Hilda McIntyre Ray Park is a scenic public park space in Santa Barbara, set on the former estate grounds of resident Hilda McIntyre Ray. The park, which is located along Santa Barbara's western edge, is set atop a hillside on Kenwood Road and offers delightful panoramic views of the city's skyline. A children's playground area offers activities for younger children, including a large slide and children's table, which are located on a spongy turf surface for safe play. Day-use picnic sites are offered underneath large gnarled trees, which offer shade and seclusion for relaxation and dining with family. A large lawn area is also offered, which features spectacular views of the nearby Santa Ynez Mountains. Visitors should note that no swings are offered at the playground and that no facilities are available for play for older children.

1420 Kenwood Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, Phone: 805-897-2524

Honda Valley Park is a quaint neighborhood park located near Santa Barbara's Mesa, extending between West Carrillo Street and Weldon Road adjacent to Cliff Drive. The park is open to the public daily between sunrise and dusk, offering a beautiful natural landscape of tall eucalyptus and oak trees and views of the nearby Arroyo Hondo Creek. Park visitors can enjoy a number of walking trails, stretching for over half a mile throughout the park's grounds. Native wildlife at the park includes regional fox species. The park is a great choice for visitors looking for a more secluded urban nature oasis, as it is trafficked much less than many other Santa Barbara public parks.

961 Miramonte Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, Phone: 805-564-5418

Santa Barbara Parks for Families

La Mesa Park is one of Santa Barbara's best spots for seasonal picnics, serving as a popular shaded refuge throughout the region's warmer months, when temperatures can climb into the high 90s or above. The lush neighborhood park is home to a lovely children's playground area, which offers swings and spring bouncers for young children and climbing and play structures for youth up to age 12. A spacious lawn extends throughout the park and offers stunning Pacific Ocean views, with ocean breezes cooling the park down significantly compared to its surrounding area. Across the street, the Lazy Acres Market offers a wide variety of organic produce and culinary goods, perfect for stocking up before stopping over for picnics.

295 Meigs Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, Phone: 805-564-5418

Leadbetter Beach is a popular public access beach and park near the Santa Barbara Harbor, easily accessible from nearby Santa Barbara City College. The park, which is situated beneath scenic Leadbetter Hill, extends to nearby Shoreline Park and is a favorite community spot for families throughout the summer months. Water sport enthusiasts can enjoy excellent conditions for surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing, with safe water conditions making it a great spot for novice surfers to hone their skills. Walking, jogging, and sunbathing are also popular along the beach's shoreline, with lifeguards staffed on duty throughout the summer months to ensure visitor safety. Beachgoers can enjoy delicious lunch fare at the Shoreline Beach Cafe or explore the nearby Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, located on the harbor's waterfront. Day-use picnic sites are also available, along with restrooms and outdoor showers.

Shoreline Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, Phone: 805-564-5418

The Mission Rose Garden, formally known as the A.C. Postel Memorial Rose Garden, is one of Santa Barbara's most iconic attractions, located adjacent to the Santa Barbara Mission. The gorgeous garden showcases more than 1,500 spectacular varieties of roses, planted by community volunteers in cooperation with the city's parks department. A significant portion of the garden's plantings are All-American Rose Selection winners, as the garden has been designated as one of the organization's official demonstration gardens in the United States. Other park features include a picturesque fountain and a large grassy area that serves as a popular spot for afternoon luncheons. The garden is one of Santa Barbara's most popular outdoor wedding venues, offering unparalleled mountain and ocean views.

420 Plaza Rubio, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, Phone: 805-564-5418

Oak Park is a charming picnic and recreation spot in Santa Barbara that has been used as a community gathering space since the region's Spanish Colonial occupation. Today, the park is one of the city's most-visited public parks, home to a wide variety of cultural festivals and events throughout the year, including the French Festival, held each year on Bastille Day. Stately sycamore and oak trees line the beautiful park, which is home to two children's playgrounds, two tennis course, an outdoor raised dance floor, and a number of day-use picnic sites. A shallow wading pool is open throughout the summer months for young children to play, with lifeguards staffed on duty throughout peak times.

W Alamar Ave & W Junipero St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, Phone: 805-564-5418