La Conchita Beach

Located around five miles east of the city of Carpinteria, La Conchita Beach is a narrow beach with light brown sand. Parts of La Conchita Beach are fixed with man-made rocky embankments to prevent erosion. 

La Conchita Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so prepare accordingly. However, the beach does allow dogs on leash. 

La Conchita Beach offers many fun activities including surfing, boogie boarding, bodysurfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, boating, biking, swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, fishing, and wildlife watching. If you are planning to go into the water near La Conchita Beach, we recommend being careful as the water near the beach is known for rip currents. The water near the beach is also home to a variety of animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating grey whales (between December and April). Another popular activity here is fishing - you can catch a large variety of fish here including salto, croaker, and surfperch. The beach is less popular than some other nearby beaches, making it ideal for those looking for a quieter beach experience. There is also a bike path present near the beach.

Getting to La Conchita Beach is easy - the access route to the beach is located near the intersection of North Sunland Avenue and West Surfside Street, where street parking is available near Oxnard Avenue – and this intersection is easily accessible from the northbound lane of United States Highway 101. The access route to the beach is an underpass beneath Pacific Coast Highway and a railroad. We recommend being careful while accessing the beach as the La Conchita residential area where the access route is located is prone to landslides and is dangerous. 

There are many attractions near La Conchita Beach. Carpinteria Valley Museum of History offers interesting exhibits on local history and also features a gift shop. In addition, the museum also hosts flea markets and art-and-craft fairs. Tar Pits Park is a park that has active asphalt tar pits that are sourced by an underground asphalt lake – which is one among the only five asphalt lakes in the whole world. If you are looking for another attraction near La Conchita Beach, Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary is a harbor seal rookery that offers a unique opportunity of watching harbor seals during breeding season and also has trained volunteers who offer interesting information about the local fauna.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near La Conchita Beach. Lucky’s is an upscale restaurant that offers excellent steaks and seafood dishes. In addition, the restaurant was also awarded Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice award in 2020. Shoals Restaurant offers a pleasant oceanfront dining experience and serves delectable seafood. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near La Conchita Beach, the modestly priced The Spot offers excellent burgers, French fries, and sandwiches.

If you are looking for a hotel to stay near La Conchita Beach, there are many great options nearby. The 4-Star Best Western Plus Carpinteria Inn offers many amenities including a restaurant, a bar, a pool, a hot tub, an exercise room, and a garden. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Cliff House Inn which has a restaurant, a seasonal pool, a private beach club, and complimentary breakfast. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near La Conchita Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Sandyland Reef Inn offers many amenities including a pool and a hot tub.