Thousand Steps Beach

Thousand Steps Beach

Thousand Steps Beach
4.5
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles60 reviews
Excellent
34
Very good
18
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
0

MCK
3,414 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2018 • Couples
1000 Step Beach that is not really a 1000 steps, LOL, but is definitely worth the trip to walk and explore. It is beautiful, clean, peaceful and not a lot of people (at least the day we went). Here's a couple helpful hints that may be useful.

1) A MUST, check when High tide and Low tide are, because you can't get walking access on the beach when it is high tide.
2) If you miss the street to turn down to park OR if you can't find parking because it is residential street parking, just drive down the road to Shore Line Park which is beautiful too, and park for free in a lot. There is also step access down to the beach near the bathrooms.

My friend and I missed the 1000 stair street, drove to Shore Line Park, parking area, walked toward the bathrooms, found stairs down to the beach, walk on the beach to the 1000 stairs and walked up the 1000 stairs back to the car.

Just simply beautiful!
Written 24 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WARDandDA T
Vienna, VA398 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2012
Beach Quick Facts:
1. Location: End of Santa Cruz Blvd where it intersects with Shoreline Drive
2. NO public parking; you must find a spot in the local neighborhood and walk to the beach access staircase
3. NO amenities (lifeguards; bathrooms, snack bars, etc)
4. Full beach access only at low tide…Check the web for low tide hours during your stay
5. NO Handicap access

This little gem of a beach area was not even marked on the tourist map of the area. I found out about it surfing on the web. Apparently it got its name from the original 1,000 wooden steps built leading down to the beach. It is a beach that is only fully accessible at low tide, with nice rocks and cliffs overlooking the beach. The updated cement steps leading down (about 200 steps) were slippery and mossy from the constant sea mist spray, so grip the railing. Most of those we encountered during the hour or so we spent walking the shoreline appeared to be locals walking their dogs or jogging. I imagine there might be some nice tide pools during the ‘negative tide’ days.
Written 14 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

torontobiggs1
Toronto, Canada184 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Magnificient steps down to the beach. Be careful not to tumble. Turn right at beach and walk to Hendry's Beach and grill. Beautiful cliffs.
Written 1 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

oldfresno
Bend, OR165 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2015 • Couples
A 100' long side cul du sac (not saying the name of the street) off Cliff Dr. Is the hidden location for 1000 steps beach. Magically, there is always a place to park in this short street. A hidden, non-descript entrance to the "1000 steps" stairway (about 150 steps really) takes you over the cliff and down to the deserted beach. If the tide is in, forget it, no beach there. If it's out, a nice walk north to another stairway that leads to beautiful Shoreline Park, or continue on to East Beach. A local-only family walking pleasure you want to experience for yourself.
Written 27 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lady Gigglemug
Monrovia, CA4,956 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020 • Solo
Was looking for some good stairs in the area to keep up my exercise routine while away and wow!! These are such a fun alternative!! I’m so glad I found them and will definitely be back! So, the name is a tad misleading - there aren’t one thousands steps - there are around 150 stairs down to the beach....still a decent amount!

Up at the top is a nice viewing area that has safety fencing. The entrance is obvious and marked with a sign as well. There’s a decent sized platform about halfway down...but be cautious bc it was at about that point where the stairs were absolutely soaked with water all the way down. They weren’t terribly slippery but it’s definitely an issue if you’re trying to exercise. You can’t go at any kind of fast pace.

I was there right at high tide and the waves were crashing on the bottom couple of stairs, so it’s definitely a good idea to check the tide tables before going - plan ahead. I went ahead and visited during high tide bc the timing of low tide was crazy for me. But you can tell there’s a really nice beach at low tide!

The top half of the stairs and the midway platform are shaded nicely ...but the bottom half of stairs are exposed to full sun. The shade is provided by some lovely trees - such a nice area! The entrance is in a rather residential area and parking is all street parking but I had no issues finding a spot right by the entrance - however I was there on a Wednesday morning. I imagine weekends/holidays get packed.
Written 7 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jjmuse
15 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2013
150 steps to a secluded beach not a big deal. It would a nice place to bring a date or have deep thoughts
Written 12 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MiTmite9
Santa Barbara, CA87 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Not for the faint of heart, literally. It can take your breath away---forever, if you happen to have any kind of heart problem(s), so be careful. Great workout, huffing up those steps, although there aren't 1,000----it may feel that way.
Written 5 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MayfieldParrish
Denver, CO1,093 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2019 • Family
This is an incredibly beautiful beach. It is a moderate walk so don't let the 1000 steps dissuade you. It reminds me of the beaches around LaJolla San Diego as well as Stanley Park Vancouver. It was really tranquil during our visit. The cliffs towering above gave it a really dramatic air. This is a must see while in Santa Barbara.
Written 5 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

intlwanderlust
Europe843 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2018 • Couples
I counted the steps and it is nowhere near 1000, which is a good thing, as it still it tough coming up. You'll want to keep an eye on the tides as the beach completely disappears here at high tide.
Written 8 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wanderlust2travlers
Los Angeles, CA178 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2015 • Couples
There are two ways to get to Thousand Steps Beach, but the best experience is descending the steps from Santa Cruz Blvd off Shoreline. It's an approx. 30 minute walk from Stearn's Wharf and so worth it! The steps are fairly wet, so best to have shoes and watch your step. The rock formations provide natural theater seating where you can take in the ocean, watch dogs enjoy the water, and just relax away from the crowded beaches.
Written 4 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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