Santa Barbara to Santa Monica Itinerary

Join us for sand, surf, and sunshine as Shaka Guide takes on the Pacific Coast Highway.

This tour is one of four Shaka Guide tours that explore the Pacific Coast Highway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

This tour stretches between Santa Barbara and Santa Monica, exploring Malibu and the American Riviera.

Along the way, we celebrate the joy of the beach and take you to historic piers, exciting hikes, and iconic movie locations.

There are 14 stops on the tour, which works going in either direction. If you're heading southbound, our tour ends as you approach the famous Santa Monica Pier.

Stearns Wharf
Butterfly Beach
Carpinteria State Beach
Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve
Mugu Rock
Neptune's Net
Leo Carrillo State Beach
El Matador State Beach
Westward Beach
Point Dume
Escondido Falls Trailhead
Solstice Canyon Trailhead
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Malibu Pier

The following itinerary starts in Santa Barbara and heads southeast, ending in Santa Monica.

Many beaches require a fee to park. However, state beaches share the same fee. If you park at one, you can display your parking pass on the dashboard for the others.

If you're planning on stopping at more than one, then buying a day pass at the first state beach you visit is a good idea.

Itinerary

1. Stearns Wharf

A low-angle view of a wide wooden pier with weathered planks and heavy timber railings. In the mid-ground, a light grey building with solar panels and a "10 MPH" sign sits on the pier. In the background, calm ocean water reflects a soft sunset glow, framed by a massive range of rolling brown mountains under a pale evening sky. Matt Caracciolo

Duration: 1 hour

Stearns Wharf is located in the Santa Barbara harbor. Dating back to 1872, it's the oldest working wooden wharf in California, and one of the longest.

There are restaurants, scenic overlooks, places to fish, beach access, and a natural history museum.

The views from the wharf of the city and the Santa Ynez Mountains behind it are spectacular.

2. Butterfly Beach

A wide-angle perspective of a narrow sandy beach meeting a calm blue ocean. On the right, a weathered stone and concrete sea wall features a set of stairs leading down to the sand. A large, sprawling evergreen tree with thick branches dominates the mid-ground, with tall, slender palm trees and colorful Adirondack chairs visible behind it under a brilliant, cloudless blue sky. Matt Caracciolo

Duration: 30 minutes

This quiet beach is located within the chic and luxurious village of Montecito, which is home to several celebrities. So you never know who you'll bump into!

Walk along the top of the cliffs, or find a set of stairs to reach the beach below. There are no public facilities. Park on either side of Channel Drive.

3. Carpinteria State Beach

A wide-angle view of an expansive sandy beach under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, low sand dunes are covered with patches of grey-green coastal scrub. In the mid-ground, a white two-story building and several tall palm trees sit near the sand, while a backdrop of rolling blue mountains stretches across the horizon. Matt Caracciolo

Duration: 45 minutes

Carpinteria Beach is known as a family-friendly beach, with gentle waves and a wide, shallow area to enjoy the sand. Parking is free in town nearby, which has lots of restaurants and shopping. Restrooms are available.

4. Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve

Matt Caracciolo

Duration: 30-60 minutes

This nature preserve features easy trails to the Carpinteria Bluffs and a rookery of harbor seals. The hike from the parking lot to the harbor seal rookery is about one mile round trip, all across easy, flat ground.

When you reach the ocean, turn right and continue towards an old pier. The seal rookery is close to the pier. To see the tar pits, continue along the path, and add about another mile round trip.

5. Mugu Rock

A wide-angle view of a paved highway passing between two massive, jagged rock formations. On the left, a large conical rock sits beside a small parking area with a silver SUV, while on the right, a steep rocky hillside rises directly from the road. The sky is a deep, clear blue with a single small white cloud floating above the gap in the rocks. Matt Caracciolo

Duration: 10 minutes

When construction crews were building the Pacific Coast Highway, they blasted right through the middle of a hill right next to the ocean, splitting it in half.

The half by the water creates a unique shape at Mugu Point, and an interesting place to get out of the car and explore.

6. Neptune's Net

A wide-angle shot of a classic roadside restaurant called "Neptune's Net." The building is a single-story, blue-grey structure with a large, white neon sign on the roof. It sits along a paved highway, with a white SUV parked nearby. Dense green trees and brush surround the building, with a massive, rocky brown mountain rising directly behind it under a clear blue sky. Matt Caracciolo

Duration: 1 hour

This touristy but famous seafood and grill restaurant right along the PCH has been featured in several movies.

Prices are reasonable, and County Line Beach is right across the street. This iconic beach is referenced in the Beach Boys' song Surfin' USA.

7. Leo Carrillo State Beach

A high-angle view of a rocky coastline where golden-brown bluffs meet a vibrant blue ocean. White waves crash against scattered sea rocks and a small sandy cove. On a prominent rocky outcrop in the mid-ground stands a small, bright blue lifeguard tower, with rolling coastal hills stretching into the distance under a clear sky. Matt Caracciolo

Duration: 45 minutes

Leo Carillo has a wide, sandy beach perfect for swimming, surfing, and lounging in the sand.

Additionally, there is an interesting rocky area to explore, with cliffs and sea caves. The opening sequence of Grease was filmed here.

8. El Matador State Beach

A low-angle view of a sandy beach meeting a massive, dark rock cliff that rises sharply on the right. Gentle white surf washes over the sand in the foreground, while a steep, green-covered hillside rises to the left. A clear, deep blue sky stretches above the coastline, and a few small figures are visible near the base of the rocks. Matt Caracciolo

Duration: 30 minutes

Part of Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, El Matador is a pocket park with cool rock formations and sea caves.

It's a short but steep walk from the parking lot to the beach. There's a small parking lot with paid parking.

Otherwise, park for free on the Pacific Coast Highway. Restrooms are available.

9. Westward Beach

Duration: 45 minutes

Westward Beach is directly below Point Dume, and just to the west. With Point Dume dramatically standing next to it, the beach is an exciting place to explore.

Climb around the point to the secluded Pirate's Cove behind the cliffs. You can also hike from the beach to the top of Point Dume.

The trail is about 1 mile round trip and considered moderate, with some considerable incline. Restrooms are available.

10. Point Dume

A high-angle, wide-angle view from a coastal bluff overlooking a vast blue ocean. In the foreground, green scrubland and prickly pear cacti with red fruit cover the hillside. To the left, a jagged brown rock formation juts into the water, while to the right, a long sandy beach stretches toward distant hazy mountains under a sky filled with soft white clouds. Matt Caracciolo

Duration: 45 minutes

Point Dume is one of the most dramatic overlooks along the Pacific Coast Highway! Around two miles of trails crisscross this prominent point overlooking the ocean and the secluded beaches below.

Multiple Hollywood movies have been filmed here, including some very iconic moments. Parking is free but limited.

Parking is more plentiful at Westward Beach below. To hike between the two, the trail is about a mile round trip with some moderate incline.

11. Escondido Falls Trailhead

A close-up shot of a dark brown park sign with white text that reads "Winding Way Trail to Escondido Canyon Park." The sign also lists the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, with "Park Open: Sunrise to Sunset" at the bottom. The sign is set against a background of dry, golden-brown hillside grass under a clear blue sky. Matt Caracciolo

Duration: 2-3 hours

Escondido Falls is an unusual waterfall, with a mossy 'beard' hanging over the drop. The trail is 3.5 miles round trip and moderately difficult.

The first mile is an uphill path along the paved Winding Way road, going past mansions.

Then, the Escondido Canyon Trailhead is easily visible with a big brown sign.

The rest of the trail is partially shaded, with some small water crossings. There are actually three waterfalls, with the first the easiest to reach. No restrooms available.

12. Solstice Canyon Trailhead

A wide shot of the stone ruins of a house nestled in a lush canyon. The remaining structures include a large, tan-and-red stone fireplace and a paved patio with a jagged stone pattern. Overgrowing the ruins are massive, bright green banana leaves and dense forest foliage, creating a reclaimed-by-nature aesthetic. Matt Caracciolo

Duration: 2 hours

This 3-mile loop is mostly shaded and passes a small waterfall, as well as the ruins of some historic homes that were the victims of a wildfire.

The trail is paved for about a half mile and is mostly easy, except for a steep climb up the ridge.

It's easy to turn around and avoid the steep part altogether, and make this an out-and-back hike.

Otherwise, the entire loop is moderately difficult. Restrooms are located 100 feet up the trail.

13. Malibu Lagoon State Beach

A wide-angle view of a broad sandy beach that acts as a natural barrier between a calm lagoon on the left and the ocean on the right. In the background, rugged brown coastal mountains are dotted with white houses under a clear blue sky. A few distant figures and the white structure of a pier are visible where the sand meets the water in the center of the frame. Matt Caracciolo

Duration: 30 minutes

This beach is adjacent to Malibu Pier and is a popular surfing destination. Within the park is the Adamson House overlooking a short bluff.

The house is open for tours and features historic, local ceramic work. There's also an adjacent local history museum.

The park is located next to the Malibu Movie Colony, where celebrities are known to keep vacation homes.

Across the lagoon from the Adamson House is another parking area and a path to another beach next to the homes.

14. Malibu Pier

A perspective view looking down a long, weathered wooden pier stretching over a deep blue ocean. People are seen strolling along the pier, while others sit at small outdoor tables and benches on either side. At the end of the pier stand two small, symmetrical white buildings with dark roofs, all under a vast, cloudless blue sky with a distant hazy mountain visible on the horizon. Matt Caracciolo

Duration: 30-60 minutes

This popular landmark attracts people from all over for its scenery, restaurants, and fishing. Rentals are available for fishing equipment. There's also access to the beach.

Conclusion

Our tour tries to keep things breezy, with enough stops to fill a full day, or recommendations to make it a quicker leg of a much longer journey along the Pacific Coast Highway.

We also provide additional recommendations along the way, for a fuller, multi-day itinerary. Our goal is to make you feel like a star as you cruise this legendary road.

So join Shaka Guide as we experience what the Pacific Coast Highway has to offer in Santa Barbara and Malibu.

About the Writer: Matt Caracciolo

Matt Caracciolo is a travel writer based in Ohio and author of the Shaka Guide tour for Yosemite. Born and raised in Columbus, Matt fell into travel writing while teaching English abroad in South Korea.

He has written two travel books, including the Moon Ohio guidebook, and enjoys writing and editing tours for Shaka Guide. Matt follows Mark Twain’s belief that “travel is fatal,” embracing travel as a way to learn more about the world and ourselves.

Ready to explore the Pacific Coast Highway?

Take Shaka Guide’s PCH: Santa Barbara to Santa Monica Audio Tour for turn-by-turn directions, local stories, and the freedom to explore at your own pace.

Visiting more parks in the region?
Don’t miss our California Tour Bundle — it includes tours for Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Death Valley, and many more!

Still planning?
Check out our Know Before You Go guide to prep for your trip.

Have questions?
We’re happy to help — email us at aloha@shakaguide.com.

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Shaka Guide's Pacific Coast Highway: Santa Barbara to Santa Monica Itinerary

Itinerary

Conclusion

Pacific Coast Highway: Santa Barbara to Santa Monica Tour

Pacific Coast Highway: Santa Barbara to Santa Monica Tour

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