Hendry's Beach

My favorite place to eat in Santa Barbara is the Boathouse at Hendry's Beach. It's an easy 15 minute drive west of Santa Barbara, and has the most incredible location on the beach. 

The Boathouse at Hendry's Beach serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I always visit for brunch and order delicious eggs benedict and key lime pie. The drinks menu is huge, and I appreciate that it also offers mocktail options like virgin boathouse punch. 

I prefer to sit outside on the heated patio, where I get the best views of the beach. The indoor section is also lovely, decorated in a stylish, nautical theme with wide open windows to take advantage of the sea breezes.

I then walk off my meal by taking a long stroll along Hendry's Beach, also known as Arroyo Burro Beach Park. It has a picturesque setting at the base of the Mesa neighorhood bluffs, with a creek flowing out to the ocean. I prefer not to swim, because the area is known for rip currents.

I noticed that quite a few people bring their dogs here. Leashed dogs are fine on the beach, and there's an unleashed area near the creek, and also on the blufftops at the Douglas Family Preserve. There's also a self serve wash stations for dogs.

5 best things about Hendry's Beach

1. It has a lovely, sandy beach.

The beach attracts both sunbathers and surfers, and has a dramatic setting at the base of coastal cliffs. Average water temperature is a chilly 57 degrees in winter, up to 65 degrees in summer.

2. Hendry's Beach is ideal for picnics.

Take advantage of the BBQ grills and picnic tables on the grassed area above Hendry's Beach, overlooking the Arroyo Burro Creek flowing into the ocean. 

3. It has a popular beachfront cafe. 

The casual Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, with beachside tables to soak in all the fun. Sit outside on the patio, or dine indoors at this trendy cafe, with a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu.

4. It's dog friendly. 

Dogs are allowed on Hendry's Beach, as long as they're on a leash.  The parking lot also has a convenient wash station for your fido.

5. Hendry's Beach is adjacent to the magnificent bluff-top Douglas Family Preserve. 

Douglas Family Preserve is a public park with sweeping views of Hendry's Beach and the Pacific Ocean from its blufftop vantage point.  It has 3-miles of paths to explore, and an off-leash dog section.  The native habitat has been beautifully preserved, with grasslands, coastal sage scrub, and Monterey Pines. 

You can walk up to the Douglas Family Preserve from Cliff Drive at Hendry's Beach, or drive 7 minutes from Hendry's Beach to the east entrance at the end of Medcliff Road.

Know before you go 

• Hendry's Beach address:  2981 Cliff Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93109.
• Parking: parking lot.
• Restrooms:  yes.
• Camping:  no.
• Restaurant: yes.

Other Santa Barbara Beaches

Learn about other beautiful Santa Barbara beaches like East Beach, West Beach and Leadbetter Beach.  Butterfly Beach is perfect for a photo opportunity and has gorgeous surroundings.