Butterfly Beach

Open

Closed

$

β€’

Montecito

β€’

counter-service

4.7
A scenic coastal retreat with soft sands and open space, ideal for long walks, beach volleyball, and wildlife spotting.

$

β€’

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

Heading

β€’

counter-service

ReservationsVisit
Now
Closed

πŸ“

Butterfly Beach

Montecito

$

Discover Butterfly Beach in Montecito, a peaceful spot for ocean views, beach walks, and wildlife sightings. Perfect for dog walkers and nature lovers.

ReservationsVisit
Menu
Visit

πŸŽ‰ Santa Barbara Recs You Won’t Find on TikTok

Get a guide to the best events, hidden gems, and exclusive perks, every week by . Thousands already subscribed. You in?

Join for Free

About
4.7
(
369
)

Butterfly Beach offers a tranquil shoreline known for its picturesque views, soft sandy stretches, and occasional sightings of dolphins and sea lions. Visitors can enjoy walking, jogging, and beach volleyball on a relatively uncrowded and clean beach with grassy areas at high tide.

What to Expect:

    πŸ– Soft sandy beach and grassy areas
    🐬 Occasional dolphin and sea lion sightings
    πŸšΆβ€β™‚οΈ Long stretches for walking and jogging
    πŸ• Popular spot for dog walkers

Important Information:

    – Mostly street parking nearby with some walking required
    – Accessibility limited due to stairs and high curbs
    – Calm residential area with minimal traffic

Haley's Pick 🍽️

You probably know her as @milehighandhungry. Each week, Haley shares the one place she’s obsessed with right now. From hidden gems to hot new openings, if she picks it, it’s worth the hype.

Haley's Review of Riot BBQ
Riot BBQ on South Delaware feels like a backyard cookout run by a Top Chef, because it is. Chef Manny Barella and pitmaster Patrick Klaiber have teamed up to blend Monterrey flavors with Texas-style smoke, and the results are seriously craveable.

The brisket steals the show: tender, deeply smoky, and finished with Barella’s bold spice rub. Get it solo or wrapped in buttery Raquelita tortillas. The pulled pork brings heat with ancho, guajillo, and morita chiles, and the al pastor ribs are sticky, sweet, and slightly charred in all the right ways.

Even the sides are insanely good! Think crunchy pepita-macha slaw and banana pudding served in a jar that tastes just like childhood (but better). Every bite feels intentional.

It’s barbecue with heart, history, and just the right amount of heat. Riot BBQ isn’t just a meal, it’s a moment worth lining up for.

– Haley @milehighandhungry
πŸ”Š
πŸ”Š
πŸ”Š

πŸ“ Local Insights

πŸŒ… Sunset Spot: Visitors recommend staying for the stunning sunsets, often enhanced by sea lion or dolphin sightings nearby.

🐢 Dog Friendly: The beach is favored by dog walkers, so expect friendly pups and occasional off-leash moments.

πŸšΆβ€β™€οΈ Stroll Friendly: Long stretches make for perfect walking or jogging routes, with some areas featuring grassy patches for breaks.

⚠️ Parking Tips: Street parking is common, but watch out for high curbs that can scratch car rims.

⏰ Hours

Monday: Open 24 hours

Tuesday: Open 24 hours

Wednesday: Open 24 hours

Thursday: Open 24 hours

Friday: Open 24 hours

Saturday: Open 24 hours

Sunday: Open 24 hours

πŸ‘‰ Best For

Beach walks, dog walking, wildlife viewing, family outings

Butterfly Beach

1233 Channel Dr #1101
,
Montecito
,
CA
93108

Review Sentiment

Based on the 50 most recent Google reviews
Butterfly Beach is celebrated for its beauty, cleanliness, and peacefulness. Visitors appreciate the soft sands, ocean views, and friendly atmosphere, with positive mentions of wildlife sightings like dolphins and sea lions. Some note occasional access difficulties due to stairs or debris and limited parking, but overall it's highly recommended for beach walks and relaxation.

Last updated on

January 9th, 2026

From The preserve

Standout Dishes

Go For

The Selection

Accommodations

Course Stats

Angler’s Offerings

What You'll Find

Beach; Soft Sand; Ocean Views; Wildlife Viewing; Walking Paths; Jogging; Beach Volleyball; Dog-Friendly Areas; Street Parking

πŸ“† Best Times to Visit

Visit early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds and beautiful sunset views; weekends see higher occupancy mid-day and afternoon.
Santa Barbara Recs. No Noise.
Get a guide to the best events and pop-ups each week. Curated by locals, for locals. Trusted by thousands.

Join for Free

Similar

Mesa Lane Steps

$

Santa Barbara

β€’

–

β€’

Heading

4.8

Ellwood Mesa Open Space & Sperling Preserve

$

Goleta

β€’

$

–

β€’

Heading

4.8

Summerland Beach

$

Summerland

β€’

$

–

β€’

Heading

4.6

West Beach

$

Santa Barbara

β€’

–

β€’

Heading

4.8

East Beach

$

Santa Barbara

β€’

–

β€’

Heading

4.5

Arroyo Burro Beach County Park

$

Santa Barbara

β€’

$

–

β€’

Heading

4.7

Butterfly Beach

$

Montecito

β€’

–

β€’

Heading

4.7

Hendry's Beach Cove

$

Santa Barbara

β€’

$

–

β€’

Heading

None

Mesa Lane Beach

$

Santa Barbara

β€’

–

β€’

Heading

4.7

Ellwood Mesa Coastal Trail

$

Goleta

β€’

$

–

β€’

Heading

4.8

Window to the Sea Park

$

Goleta

β€’

$

–

β€’

Heading

4.7

Leadbetter Beach

$

Santa Barbara

β€’

–

β€’

Heading

4.6

$

Heading

VisitReservations

Menu

Visit