Stairway to Beach (El Embarcadero)
About
Stairway to Beach is a public ocean beach in California, reached through El Embarcadero Beach Access about 0.4 miles from Isla Vista. There is no fee to visit. Late summer and early fall are the warmest stretch. Typical average highs reach about 74°F in August and September at a nearby weather station 1.4 miles away, and rain is rare from July through September. Winter runs cooler and wetter, with typical highs near 64°F and about six or seven wet days a month. Pond Trail and Marsh Trail North are both within about 1.5 miles for a short walk. Climbers can head about 6 miles to Lizard's Mouth, and Paradise Campground is roughly 9.5 miles away.
Beach Details
Lifeguards
None
Parking
Available
Fee
Free
Restrooms
None
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Stairway to Beach (El Embarcadero)
California
Data: California Coastal Commission, YourCoast public access data. Source metadata
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Year-round. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 64–74°F and lows of 40–58°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Santa Barbara Muni Ap, CA weather station, 1.4 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan64° high41° low
- Feb64° high44° low
- Mar66° high46° low
- Apr68° high48° low
- May69° high51° low
- Jun70° high54° low
- Jul73° high58° low
- Aug74° high58° low
- Sep74° high56° low
- Oct73° high51° low
- Nov69° high44° low
- Dec64° high40° low
Where it is
- El Embarcadero Beach Access · Public land
- Nearest town
- Isla Vista, California · 0.3 mi
Source: NIFC Jurisdictional Units; USGS GNIS populated places
Nearby
- Pond TrailHiking1.3 mi
- Marsh Trail NorthHiking1.5 mi
- Lizard's Mouth, TheRock climbing5.9 mi
- Amphitheater, TheRock climbing6 mi
- Fremont CampgroundSaltwater fishing9.4 mi
- Paradise CampgroundCamping9.5 mi
- Los PrietosCamping9.5 mi
- Sage HillSaltwater fishing9.7 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
