I’ve lived on the Central Coast my whole life, and I’ve photographed more Santa Barbara sunsets than I can count. The city faces south, with the mountains behind it and the Channel Islands out front, so the light here does things you don’t see in most beach towns. Here are the spots I actually go to, plus a few tips for getting the shot.
Before you go: a few sunset tips
- Check the time. Sunset ranges from just before 5 pm in December to around 8:15 pm in late June.
- Stay after the sun drops. The best color usually shows up 10 to 20 minutes after sunset, once most people have left.
- Watch the marine layer. A thin layer of clouds can make the sky explode with color. A thick one can wipe it out. Spring and early summer (“May Gray” and “June Gloom”) are the most hit-or-miss.
- Bring a layer. It cools off fast once the sun is gone, even in summer.
1. Out on the water (my favorite)
My favorite photo of my hometown came from a sunset cruise. From the water you get the whole city, the mountains glowing pink behind it, and boats sailing past. It’s the one view of Santa Barbara you can’t get from land.
A few ways to get out there: Celebration Cruises (I’ve shot content for them), the Sunset Kidd sailing cruises and the Santa Barbara Sailing Center. Book ahead in summer, since sunset trips fill up.
2. Butterfly Beach, Montecito
One of my two go-to spots. Butterfly Beach sits right across from the Four Seasons Biltmore, and it’s one of the few beaches around here where you can watch the sun drop straight into the ocean. Grab a spot on the sand or the seawall, and stay for the afterglow.
Tip: Parking is limited street parking along Channel Drive, so arrive 30 to 45 minutes early on weekends.
3. Douglas Family Preserve
My other favorite. The Douglas Family Preserve is a big, open bluff above Arroyo Burro Beach, with cliffs, cypress trees and the whole Pacific in front of you. It’s dog friendly and rarely crowded at sunset. After the sun goes down, walk down to Hendry’s (Arroyo Burro Beach) for dinner or a drink.
4. Stearns Wharf
The classic. Walk out to the end of the wharf for views back toward the city and mountains, or stay on the sand next to it and use the pilings and buildings as silhouettes. It’s easy to get to, and you can grab dinner on the wharf right after.
5. The Cabrillo Boulevard beachfront
The path along Cabrillo Boulevard is lined with tall palms, and they make perfect silhouettes against an orange sky. Walk or rent a bike between Stearns Wharf and East Beach and stop wherever the light looks best.
6. Santa Barbara Harbor and the breakwater
Walk the breakwater out to the sandspit for a mix of masts, mountains and open ocean. The harbor is one of my favorite places to shoot because there’s always something in the foreground: boats coming in, pelicans, fishermen.
7. Shoreline Park
A grassy park on the Mesa bluffs with benches, a playground and wide views of the channel. It’s a low-effort sunset spot, perfect for a picnic. On clear days you can see the Channel Islands.
8. Inspiration Point
For a sunset with a workout, hike up to Inspiration Point from Tunnel Road. It’s about 3.5 miles round trip with a steady climb, and the reward is a view over the whole city and coastline. Start an hour or more before sunset and bring a headlamp for the walk down.
Bonus: the Courthouse clock tower
The view from the top of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse is one of the best in town, and it’s free. The catch: the Courthouse closes at 5 pm and stops letting visitors in at 4:30, so it only works for golden hour in the winter months, when the sun sets early. Worth planning around if you’re visiting between November and January.
Photographing sunsets on your phone
- Tap on the brightest part of the sky, then drag exposure down a little so the colors don’t blow out.
- Put something in the foreground: a palm, a person, a boat. A sky on its own gets boring fast.
- Turn off the flash and hold still, or brace your phone on a railing once it gets darker.
- Shoot a few clips, not just photos. A slow 10-second pan makes a great Reel.
Planning the rest of your trip? Check out my list of the best things to do in Santa Barbara.
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