Active Pursuits

Beaches -- East Beach is Santa Barbara's favorite beach, stretching from the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens to Chase Palm Park and the wharf. Nearer the pier you can enjoy manicured lawns, tall palms, and abundant facilities; to the east are many volleyball courts, plus the Cabrillo Pavilion, a recreational center, bathhouse, and architectural landmark dating from 1925. Picnic areas with barbecue grills, showers, and clean, well-patrolled sands make this beach a good choice for everyone.

On the other side of Santa Barbara Harbor is Leadbetter Beach, less sheltered than those to the south and popular with surfers. It's reached by following Cabrillo Boulevard after it turns into Shoreline Drive. This beach is also a great place to watch pleasure boats entering or leaving the harbor. Leadbetter has basic facilities, including restrooms, picnic areas, and a metered parking lot.

Two miles west of Leadbetter is secluded but popular Arroyo Burro Beach County Park, also known as Hendry's Beach. This gem has a grassy park beneath the cliffs and a white crescent beach with great waves for surfing and bodysurfing. There are volleyball nets, picnic areas, restrooms, and a free parking lot.

Biking & Surrey Cycling -- A relatively flat, palm-lined 2-mile coastal pathway, perfect for biking, runs along the beach. More adventurous riders can pedal through town (where painted bike lanes line many major routes, including one up to the mission). These routes and many more are outlined in the Santa Barbara County Bike Map, a free and comprehensive resource available at the visitor center or by calling Traffic Solutions at tel. 805/963-7283.

Wheel Fun Rentals, 101 State St. (just off Cabrillo Blvd.; tel. 805/966-2282; www.wheelfunrentals.com), rents well-maintained beach cruisers, mountain bikes, tandem bikes, and an Italian four-wheel surrey that seats three adults; rates vary. It's open daily from 8am to 8pm.

Boating -- The Santa Barbara Sailing Center, 133 Harbor Way at the Santa Barbara Harbor (tel. 800/350-9090 or 805/962-2826; www.sbsail.com), rents sailboats from 21 to 50 feet in length, as well as paddleboats, kayaks, and motorboats. Both skippered and bareboat charters are available by the day or hour. Sailing instruction for all levels of experience is also available. Coastal, island, whale-watching, dinner-cruise, and adventure tours are offered on the 50-foot sailing catamaran Double Dolphin. Open daily 9am to 6pm.

Golf -- At the Santa Barbara Golf Club, 3500 McCaw Ave., at Las Positas Rd. (tel. 805/687-7087), there's a great 6,009-yard, 18-hole course and a driving range. Unlike many municipal courses, the Santa Barbara Golf Course is well maintained and presents a moderate challenge for the average golfer. Greens fees are $35 Monday through Friday and $45 on weekends. Twilight prices $22 Monday through Friday and $25 on weekends. Optional carts rent for $26.

The 18-hole, 7,000-yard Sandpiper, at 7925 Hollister Ave. (tel. 805/968-1541; www.sandpipergolf.com), is a scenic ocean-side course that's rated as one of the top public course in the U.S. It also has a driving range. Weekend greens fees are $144, and the cart fee is $16.

Hiking -- The foothill trails in the Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara are perfect for day hikes. In general, they aren't overly strenuous. Trail maps are available at Pacific Travelers Supply, 12 W. Anapamu St. (at State St.; tel. 888/PAC-TRAV or 805/963-4438); at the visitor center; and from Traffic Solutions (tel. 805/963-7283).

One of the most popular hikes is the Seven Falls/Inspiration Point Trail, an easy trek that begins on Tunnel Road, past the mission, and skirts the edge of Santa Barbara's Botanic Garden (which contains some pleasant hiking trails itself).

Skating -- The paved beach path that runs along Santa Barbara's waterfront is perfect for in-line skating. Wheel Fun Rentals, 101 State St. (just off Cabrillo Blvd.; tel. 805/966-2282; www.wheelfunrentals.com), rents skates and all the requisite protective gear. It's open daily from 8am to 8pm.

Whale-Watching -- Whale-watching cruises are offered between late December and late March, when Pacific gray whales pass by on migratory journeys from their breeding lagoons in Baja California, Mexico, to their Alaskan feeding grounds. Shoreline Park, west of the harbor, has high bluffs ideal for land-based whale-spotting. Sea excursions are offered by both Captain Don's Harbor Tours (tel. 805/969-5217; www.captdon.com), on Stearns Wharf, and The Condor (tel. 888/77-WHALE or 805/882-0088; www.condorcruises.com), located at 301 W. Cabrillo Blvd. in the Santa Barbara Harbor.