Santa Barbara Waterfront

04/17/2026

ENG/SPA - Ever wondered how dredging helps keep our harbor safe and our beaches beautiful? Check out these incredible photos! The first shows East Beach after a year without dredging, while the second—taken just yesterday—reveals the dramatic transformation after 185,000 cubic yards of sand were moved from the harbor to East Beach. Thanks to the Army Corps of Engineers and Pacific Dredge, our shoreline is nourished and our harbor entrance is wide and clear. Routine dredging not only protects navigation but also enhances our coast for everyone to enjoy.
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¿Alguna vez te has preguntado cómo el dragado ayuda a mantener nuestro puerto seguro y nuestras playas hermosas? ¡Mira estas increíbles fotos! La primera muestra East Beach después de un año sin dragado, mientras que la segunda—tomada apenas ayer—revela la transformación impresionante tras trasladar 185,000 yardas cúbicas de arena desde el puerto hasta East Beach. Gracias al Cuerpo de Ingenieros del Ejército y a Pacific Dredge, nuestra costa se mantiene nutrida y la entrada del puerto amplia y despejada. El dragado rutinario no solo protege la navegación, sino que también mejora nuestra costa para que todos la disfruten.

08/01/2025

A special thank you to the Los Niños de las Flores for stopping by the harbor and bringing festive flowers to celebrate Fiesta with Waterfront staff! We look forward to this special tradition each year.

06/12/2025

To better serve our community, the Waterfront Department is seeking input on how we’re balancing Coastal Dependent, Coastal Related, and Visitor Serving services within the waterfront area.

Please click the link below to take the brief survey and help us plan for the future! The survey closes on Friday, July 18th at 5:00pm.

Thank you!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7BQ3DPY

05/19/2025

05/16/2025

05/16/2025

04/02/2025

Since February, a naturally occurring algal bloom has impacted California and our local marine life. Two types of marine algae are present: Domoic Acid (DA) and Saxitoxin (PSP). In Santa Barbara, we are seeing the effects of these blooms, which can lead to neurological issues in affected animals.

What to do if you see a marine mammal in distress:

1. Do not touch, feed, or harass the animal.
2. Observe the animal from a safe distance to avoid stressing the animal further.
3. Determine the exact location of the animal. Get GPS coordinates if possible.
4. Call CIMWI Hotline (805) 567-1505 to report specific information about the animal and its location.

12/23/2024

📢Harbor Patrol Reminder!

In foggy conditions, safety is our top priority! Here’s how boaters can turn on the foghorn:

1️⃣ Switch to VHF 83A.
2️⃣ Click the Mic 6 times.
3️⃣ This will activate the foghorn for 15 minutes.

⚓️

12/04/2024

Get ready to light up the night at the 38th Annual Parade of Lights this Sunday, December 8th. All event activities are FREE! This year’s parade theme is Yuletide Pirates!

Parade of Lights Event Schedule:

❄️ 3pm - Winter Wonderland in the City Pier in the Harbor. There will be 10 tons of snow, goodie bags for children, and Santa! 🎅🏼

🚣🏾 3:30pm - Human-Powered Parade with festive paddlers who will loop the Harbor and Stearns Wharf.

🎄5pm - Tree Lighting Ceremony on Stearns Wharf with Mayor Rowse and the Dos Pueblos Jazz Choir.

⛵️ 5:30pm - Boat Parade with illuminated watercraft that will light up the night as they make their way from Leadbetter Beach to the Cabrillo Pavilion, then along the coast to Stearns Wharf.

🎆 7pm (approximately) - Fireworks show from West Beach.

For more information, visit SantaBarbaraCa.gov/ParadeofLights

  
📷: Joanne A Calitri

11/18/2024

Join us tomorrow evening for a community Harbor Watch Meeting as Harbor Patrol Officers Jan Martinez and Rick Hubbard review the latest boating safety trends and statistics.

Come meet our new Harbor Patrol Officers Stella Nicodemus, Tucker Zimmerman, Taylor Plasch, Alex Szymczak, and Connor Streett.

Special guest Santa Barbara Police Sergeant Brian Kerr will discuss Harbor Patrol's new law enforcement policies and how they will affect harbor users.

Contact Harbor Patrol at (805) 564-5530 for more information.

See you there!

Harbor Watch Meeting
Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Waterfront Marine Center Classroom

08/30/2024

Join us for a community meeting on Monday, September 9th at 5:00 p.m. in the Marine Center Classroom located at 125 Harbor Way to discuss Senate Bill 2 and the upcoming changes to Harbor Patrol’s Emergency Response in the Harbor District