Eucalyptus Lane
Posted by Mark Wilkinson on Nov 10, 2010 in Beach Walks, Montecito | 0 commentsBEACH WALK INFORMATION
Distance-2 miles east to Lookout Park; 1 mile west to the Biltmore & Butterfly Beach.
Topo-Carpinteria & Santa Barbara
DIRECTIONS
From State Street, follow Highway 101 east for 3.5 miles to the San Ysidro off ramp in Montecito. Turn right (San Ysidro becomes Eucalyptus Lane on the ocean side of Highway 101) and drive a half mile to the beach access point. There are 12 parking spaces next to the beach.
A CAUTION
Please be respectful of private property rights.
THE WALK
Hidden at the foot of San Ysidro Road, Eucalyptus Lane provides beach access both to Fernald or Hammond's points. There are excellent tide pools, long stretches of beach, and a host of beautiful homes to enjoy. This is an excellent spot to start for out-and-back walks either to Fernald Point or the Biltmore.
As you walk down the steps to the beach one of the first things you will spot is the Miramar Hotel, whose unique lilac-colored roofs can be seen from the freeway as well. Stepping onto the sand you will feel as if you have suddenly been dropped down into a very private enclave. The cove is a solid wall of very unique homes, many of them with common side walls, and all of them very charming.
There is a long stretch of sandy beach leading east to a point where there is a second cove, more homes, then more beach. At higher tides you won't be able to get around this point but if you can, the walk will take you all the way to Lookout Park.
East of the steps is a long sea wall and depending on the tides, it can be very exciting getting past it. It lasts for just a hundred yards but even at medium tides the waves have a habit of sneaking right up to the wall. At lower tides the entire beach. almost all the way to Hammond's Point becomes one long tide pool.