Arroyo Hondo Beach offers many fun activities including beachcombing, sunbathing, wildlife watching, tide pooling, swimming, hiking, surfing, kitesurfing, bodysurfing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, boogie boarding, kayaking, canoeing, boating, jet skiing, wakeboarding, and surf skiing. If you are planning to go into the water near Arroyo Hondo Beach, we recommend being careful as the water here is known to have rip currents. The water near the beach is home to many animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating grey whales (between December and April). During low tide, you can explore the tidepools present along the beach shoreline which are home to many animals including crabs, sea stars, and barnacles. This beach is ideal for those looking for a private beach experience as few visitors come here. You can also walk along the coastline around this beach to explore sandy coves, interesting bluff sides, and unique rock formations that were created more than five million years ago due to tectonic uplift. There is a blufftop spot above the beach near its parking lot called the Vista Point which offers marvelous Instagram-worthy views of the Pacific Ocean. The historic concrete beach above the Arroyo Hondo Beach also offers some great Instagram-worthy photos.
The Arroyo Hondo Preserve is located near the beach across United States Highway 101, which has hiking trails and offers an interesting insight into the rich history and biodiversity of Southern California. Guided tours of the preserve are also available between 10 am and noon. However, if you need to hike in the preserve, you need to make a prior reservation. If you want to make a reservation for your visit to the preserve, you can visit the website for The Land Trust For Santa Barbara County for more information.