April 18, 2025

A GUIDE TO THE MESA NEIGHBORHOOD

The Mesa is a coastal neighborhood in Santa Barbara that perfectly embodies a laid-back beach lifestyle. Its name, derived from the Spanish word for ‘table,’ reflects the area’s broad expanse of land that stretches from the harbor to Arroyo Burro Beach, right along the ocean’s edge. This neighborhood offers the perfect balance of tranquility and accessibility, with an abundance of peaceful outdoor spaces, all just minutes from the Funk Zone and downtown Santa Barbara.

Dive into the ultimate Mesa Neighborhood guide of shops, eateries, beaches, parks, and properties that showcase the best it has to offer – where coastal charm meets everyday convenience.

Shopping & Dining

Cliff Drive is the backbone of The Mesa, with most of its shopping plazas, restaurants, coffee shops, and neighborhoods branching off from it. The Mesa Shopping Center is dotted with lots of shops and local businesses, offering a convenient location to shop for all you might need. Lazy Acres is an upscale grocery market that features health-focused products and even local goods from Santa Barbara and Montecito. Not far away is Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone which is home to many art galleries and boutiques, and Paseo Nuevo is a little further away on State Street and is the main destination for shopping.

The Mesa is home to one of our favorite oceanfront dining spots – Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. Located on the shores of Arroyo Burro Beach, known to locals as Hendry’s Beach, this restaurant is popular for brunch and dinner. Here you can enjoy an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere that specializes in fresh, locally sourced seafood and California coastal cuisine. Shoreline Cafe is another beachfront spot open for brunch and dinner, offering casual vibes and blend of Mexican and seafood fusion. If you’re looking for a quick snack, we recommend trying Blenders, a classic smoothie and juice staple in the community. Sam’s To Go is another community staple for sandwiches, and Lighthouse Coffee is a great cafe for your morning brew.

Beaches

Shoreline Park Beach is the largest in the area, found in the East Mesa Neighborhood near the city college. This is the perfect beach for day spent with family as it has restroom facilities, picnic benches, and a park nearby. Not only this, but it has lots of room for sand and water activities.

Probably the most popular beach in the area is Arroyo Burro Beach, or Hendry’s Beach. This lively beach is home to the Boathouse restaurant and is just below the Douglas Nature Preserve, nestling it amongst lots of nature trails. Here one can bask in the sun, try their hand at surfing, or just walk along the shore.

With the neighborhood lining the coast, there are many access points to beaches throughout the Mesa that are more low-key. Mesa Lane Beach is a secluded, narrow stretch of beach nestled below the West Mesa Neighborhood. At low tide one can enjoy soft sands for sunbathing, tide pools for exploring, and an area for dogs to roam off-leash. Mesa Lane Beach offers a serene, scenic escape.

Thousand Steps Beach is in the East Mesa Neighborhood and is a hidden gem located off Santa Cruz Boulevard. Also an off-leash beach for dogs, this beach is a great spot for water activities and long walks along the shore. Access the beach via the steep staircase built in the 1920s, which can also be considered your workout of the day!

Parks & Trails

Shoreline Park Beach is not only a great beach to visit, but has a large grassy expanse as well. The picnic tables, nearby Shoreline Cafe, and bike trails are perfect for a day spent outdoors with sweeping ocean views. Please note dogs are on-leash at the park, but allowed off leash on the west side of the beach.

Douglas Family Nature Preserve is a cherished 70-acre coastal park in the Mesa neighborhood, offering panoramic ocean views and a variety of recreational activities. Over three miles of trails meander through coastal sage, grasslands, and oak woodlands, providing stunning vistas of the Pacific Ocean. It’s also a popular spot for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, with opportunities to spot migrating monarch butterflies, various birds, and marine life from the bluffs.

For the more adventurous, Elings Park is a haven for paragliders, sports enthusiasts, and avid hikers alike. This park offers six tennis courts and 5 athletic fields, from a BMX track to even remote controlled car and airplane fields. Adding to the excitement, almost everyday you can catch a glimpse of paragliders taking off from this point. ALso, there are often large community events hosted here. Lastly, Elings Park is home to over nine miles of trails suitable for walking, biking, or equestrian riding.