Campus Point Beach

Located in the town of Isla Vista, Campus Point Beach is a half-mile-long and narrow beach on the east side of Goleta Point on the University of California, Santa Barbara campus. Campus Point Beach is backed by Campus Lagoon and consists of two separate beach areas – one is near the lagoon and the other is below the bluffs north of the lagoon.  Campus Point Beach is a perfect surfing destination, especially for beginners because of its calm waters and mid-size waves.

Campus Point Beach is a dog-friendly beach and offers a couple of amenities including restrooms, trails, and tide pools.

There are many fun activities at Campus Point Beach including swimming, surfing, hiking, biking, birdwatching, and beach walking.

Getting to Campus Point Beach is easy – after you get off of Ward Memorial Boulevard at the roundabout inside the Henley Gate, turn south onto Lagoon Road to reach a large paid parking lot. After parking, you will need to use a stairway on the other side of the lot that leads directly to the beach.

If you are looking for attractions near Campus Point Beach, you can drive 17 minutes to Santa Barbara Zoo which has been ranked among the best small zoos in the US many times and features a Zoo Train, pair of old locomotives – and is home to many animals and birds including giraffes, gorillas, African lions, foxes, vultures, and Humboldt penguins. If you like hiking, Lake Los Carneros has many trails and is a great spot to watch birds, coyotes, and bobcats. Rancho La Patera & Stow House displays historic photographs and furniture related to the nearby area. Another great attraction near Campus Point Beach is Stearns Wharf, a fun tourist attraction site that offers souvenir shops, restaurants, and a small aquarium named the Sea Center.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants within a seven-minute drive of Campus Point Beach. The Club & Guest House At UC Santa Barbara is an upscale waterfront fine dining restaurant that serves appetizers, salads, entrees, beverages, and desserts. The organic restaurant Room 217 offers chicken sandwiches, cheese bread, wraps, rolls, and fries. Another good restaurant near Campus Point Beach is Woodstock's Pizza Isla Vista, a pizza restaurant featuring homemade pizza, breadsticks, and chicken wings.

If you are looking for a hotel near Campus Point Beach, you can drive 18 minutes to many nearby hotels. The 5-Star pet-friendly hotel El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara features an infinity pool, lounge, poolside bar, spa, sauna, restaurant, and fitness center. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort is a 4-Star pet-friendly hotel that is spread across 24 acres and has many amenities including a pool, bar, spa, café, and three tennis courts. If you are looking for affordable hotels near Campus Point Beach, the 3-Star Hampton Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta offers a pool and fitness center – and the 2-Star Best Western Plus South Coast Inn has a pool, gym, and ping pong tables.