Crocker Art Museum – Sacramento, CA
August 15, 2026Garbo’s A Loon!
Loon Point Beach – Carpinteria, CA
One of our first outings after we adopted Garbo back in 2024 was to drive up the coast to Loon Point Beach, located just north of Carpinteria, CA, not too far south of Santa Barbara. “Where are we going? I hardly know you guys”
It is pretty much a beach less traveled, unless you are a local or learned of it on bringfido.com, which is where we stumbled upon it. Secluded and dog friendly (leashes required), we have visited several times and the sweet spot (at least for us) is before 10 a.m., as it seemed to get much more crowded closer to noon. Of course, by 11:30 Garbo was tired (along with one of her parents), and we were hungry.
Located at Exit 90 off Highway 101, cross the railroad tracks toward the ocean and keep an eye out for the parking lot squeezed between the tracks and the roadway on Padaro Lane. There are toilets located in the parking lot, and be sure to take care of business before you leave as it is a little bit of a trek to the beach with no facilities.
From the parking lot there is a sign pointing you along a dusty trail and under the car overpass where you will come to a private driveway. Just beyond the driveway is the trail that leads down to the beach.
There are high bluffs in the back and the wide expanse of the Pacific Ocean in front of you, and for a moment you forget you’re not far from civilization as you sit and take in the beauty of this secluded stretch of beach. There are not a lot of places from Santa Barbara south to San Diego where you can enjoy a beach without throngs of people.
“Who forgot my sunglasses?”
The narrow beach stretches in both directions for a nice hike if you are so inclined. Or spend a solitary moment.
We packed in some lawn chairs and enjoyed the ocean breeze while Garbo kept an eye on the horses …
… and the dogs playing in the ocean. “Hey, who’s that coming?”
Run, Garbo, run!
Sufficiently exhausted after her outings, we packed Garbo back into the car and headed to nearby Carpinteria for lunch.
A perfect way to celebrate National Dog Day, which, by the way, is every day at our house.
Loon Point Beach is Garbo approved!
Loon Point Beach
2770-2850 Padaro Lane
Carpinteria, CA 93013
