Santa Barbara Coast, CA

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Westward View of Butterfly Beach, Santa Barbara, California.
Westward View of Butterfly Beach, Santa Barbara, California - Niranjan Arminius, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Today’s Forecast:

🌤
77°F
High: 77° | Low: 67°
Current Temperature
Station: MOIC1
Observed at: 8:07 pm CDT on 9/26/26
Wind: 2 mph | Humidity: 71%
⚠️
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued September 26 at 1:02PM PDT until September 30 at 4:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA (Expires: September 30, 2026 6:00 pm)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: * WHAT...Dangerous rip currents and breaking waves of 3-5 feet. Minor tidal overflows possible especially Monday and Tuesday. * WHERE...Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast and Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast. * WHEN...Through Wednesday afternoon. * IMPACTS...There is an increased risk of ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats nearshore. Pooling of sea water is possible around high tide at beach and harbor areas (including Santa Barbara Harbor). Enhanced beach erosion is also possible. No significant damage is expected. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Locally moderate coastal flooding impacts possible but unlikely for areas such as Santa Barbara Harbor. These impacts may include moderate flooding of sea water over some vulnerable low-lying coastal areas, especially around the time of high tide, including over beach parking lots, bike paths, and harbor walkways. Additionally, locally moderate beach erosion is possible. Instructions: Remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers. Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.

Tonight:Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. West northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Sunday:Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night:Mostly clear, with a low around 62. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

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Today’s Report:

🥾 Hiking

Excellent
  94 /100

Excellent for hiking. High near 76°F. Low rain risk (1%). Light wind (10 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 90/100
Excellent for hiking. High near 78°F. Low rain risk (3%). Light wind (15 mph).

🚲 Biking

Excellent
  100 /100

Excellent for biking. High near 76°F. Low rain risk (1%). Light wind (10 mph).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 97/100
Excellent for biking. High near 78°F. Low rain risk (3%). Breezy winds (15 mph).

🎪 Outdoor Events / Activities

Excellent
  100 /100

Excellent for outdoor events / activities. High near 76°F. Low rain risk (1%). Light wind (10 mph).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Excellent 97/100
Excellent for outdoor events / activities. High near 78°F. Low rain risk (3%). Breezy winds (15 mph).

About Santa Barbara Coast

Santa Barbara Coast is an outdoor-planning page for Santa Barbara waterfront and front-country foothills. It has a distinct purpose centered on beaches, foothill heat, sundowner wind, marine layer, storms, and events, with the forecast used to choose the safest and most comfortable version of the day.

Make the Most of a Santa Barbara Coast Day

Start by comparing conditions across Santa Barbara, East Beach, and the rest of the coverage area. Choose among hiking, biking, outdoor events based on wind, precipitation, temperature, visibility, water or trail conditions, road access, smoke, and available daylight.

Weather Tips for Santa Barbara Coast

  • Conditions around Santa Barbara waterfront and front-country foothills can differ sharply from nearby towns; beaches, foothill heat, sundowner wind, marine layer, storms, and events are the main planning variables.
  • For biking, compare wind, pavement or trail surface, heat, visibility, traffic, smoke, and recent rain before choosing distance and exposure.
  • Cold ocean water, marine fog, swell, beach wind, and winter storms can matter even when the inland forecast looks mild.
  • Crowds and parking can narrow the useful weather window, so arrive early and keep a lower-commitment nearby option.

Nearby Towns and Areas

This page covers Santa Barbara waterfront and front-country foothills. It can also be useful when planning outdoor time near:

  • Santa Barbara
  • East Beach
  • Leadbetter Beach
  • Goleta
  • Carpinteria
  • Mission Canyon
  • Gaviota

Plan Around the Conditions

Use the forecast to choose the best version of Santa Barbara Coast rather than forcing one itinerary. A shorter route, earlier launch, sheltered shoreline, lower-elevation trail, or town-based backup can preserve the day when conditions change.

7-Day Forecast for Santa Barbara Coast

🌤
77°F
High: 77° | Low: 67°
Current Temperature
Station: MOIC1
Observed at: 8:07 pm CDT on 9/26/26
Wind: 2 mph | Humidity: 71%
Sun ⛅
76° 62°
1%
Mon ☀
78° 64°
3%
Tue ☀
82° 66°
0%
Wed ☀
83° 66°
0%
Thu ⛅
82° 66°
0%
Fri ⛅
82° 66°
0%
Sat ☀
82° --°
1%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

76° Sun 78° Mon 82° Tue 83° Wed 82° Thu 82° Fri 82° Sat

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

62° Sun 64° Mon 66° Tue 66° Wed 66° Thu 66° Fri 50° Sat

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 90 Sun 80 Mon 20 Tue 20 Wed 20 Thu 20 Fri 20 Sat
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: September 26, 2026 10:29 pm CDT

Santa Barbara Coast Weather by Season

Winter

At Santa Barbara Coast, winter is the main storm season, bringing periods of rain, larger surf, beach erosion, runoff, and occasional coastal-road or bluff-trail closures. Water stays cold, and clear days between systems can still be excellent for biking and hiking.

Spring

Around Santa Barbara waterfront and front-country foothills, spring often mixes mild sunny periods with marine cloud cover and breezy afternoons. Check water quality after rain and watch for slick bluff trails or muddy canyon approaches.

Summer

For beaches, foothill heat, sundowner wind, marine layer, storms, and events, morning marine layer can keep beaches cool before sunnier afternoons, while inland trailheads heat quickly. Cold ocean water, rip currents, beach wind, crowds, and limited parking should shape the day.

Fall

Near Santa Barbara and the surrounding area, early fall can be warm and clear along the coast, but offshore wind and wildfire conditions may affect nearby canyons. Later fall brings shorter days and the gradual return of winter storm concerns.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Warmest months: August through October.
  • Coolest months: December through February and cloudy early-summer mornings.
  • Wettest season: December through March.
  • Driest season: July through September.
  • Best outdoor window: Late spring and early fall for beach, trail, bike, and paddling plans.