Hammond’s Beach - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Butterfly Beach is located along Channel Drive in the upscale community of Montecito. This is a popular beach with locals, many with dogs. Students are known to pack the beach at times. There are stairs to the widest and most popular part of the beach at Butterfly Lane, and another set of stairs in front of the Biltmore.

This is a 42-acre saltwater marsh, is one of the largest wildlife refuges in Santa Barbara County and is managed by the City of Santa Barbara Parks Division. The refuge has a 29-acre freshwater/brackish lake, an artificially modified estuary that is usually about four feet deep, which drains through East Beach into the Pacific Ocean. Three islands are located in the lake. A great overlook of the Bird Refuge is available at the neighboring Santa Barbara Zoo, below the Condor Exhibit.

Casa del Herrero is a home and gardens located in Montecito near Santa Barbara, California. It was designed by George Washington Smith, and is considered one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and made a National Historic Landmark on January 16, 2009.

The Santa Barbara Zoo is located on 30 acres  near the ocean in Santa Barbara, California. It was built on the site of what was known as the Child Estate. The zoo has been ranked numerous times as one of the nation's best small zoos. It has more than 500 animals in numerous exhibits, including capybara and California condors, and is famous for having had a giraffe with a crooked neck.

This pretty stretch of coastline is well worth a look for anyone planning a beach outing - especially with a dog. This beach offers not only terrific views, but also an off leash experience and a for-pay self service dog wash. It is the perfect oceanfront venue for rest and relaxation. Its proximity to the park also makes it an ideal location for an all-day affair.

Lookout Park is the main beachfront park in Summerland, located up on a bluff with a south-facing view. Summerland Beach is right below Lookout Park. The park is operated by Santa Barbara County parks and includes a free parking lot, a grass park, benches, picnic tables, BBQs, a kids playground, a volleyball court, restrooms, and the dog wash.