Things to Do in Carpinteria: California’s Secret Beach Town

If you’ve never heard of Carpinteria, California, don’t worry, most people haven’t. And honestly, I kind of hope it stays that way.

I spent a full month in this sleepy little beach town just south of Santa Barbara, and it completely snuck up on me. Think: charming shops, ridiculously pretty sunsets, locals who actually say hi to you, and the kind of beach where you can hear yourself think.

Whether you’re flying solo (like I was) or just need a break from the noise, these are the best things to do in Carpinteria that made me feel relaxed, delighted, and maybe a little smug that I found it before everyone else.

Where is Carpinteria, and Why Is It So Dang Charming?

Carpinteria is a tiny coastal town on California’s Central Coast, about 11 miles south of Santa Barbara and 85 miles north of Los Angeles. It has just 13,000 residents, and it feels like the kind of place people go to leave the hustle behind.

I found it one of the most peaceful, walkable, and unexpectedly delightful spots I’ve visited in California. They call it “The World’s Safest Beach,” but honestly, it felt like the kind of town where people still wave from porches and know the name of the barista. If you love discovering places that are low-key but full of character, Carpinteria has plenty of things to do.

Carpinteria vs. Santa Barbara: What’s the Vibe?

Santa Barbara is gorgeous, no question. With its Spanish architecture, palm-lined streets, and high-end everything, it’s earned its nickname as the American Riviera. It’s also busier, pricier, and more polished. Think rooftop cocktails, boutique shopping, and a strong chance of spotting someone in linen pants discussing a screenplay, and/or Oprah.

Carpinteria? It’s the cool little sister who doesn’t need to try so hard. It has the same sunny weather and beachy beauty, but trades the glitz for flip-flops, dog-walkers, and café patios where nobody cares if you’re reading a book solo. It’s small-town California in the best way: quiet, friendly, and refreshingly real. If Santa Barbara is a wine bar, Carpinteria is a picnic on the sand.

Carpinteria vs. Santa Barbara?

People looking for a quiet, low-key, more affordable vacation spot might prefer Carpinteria.

Santa Barbara would be better for college-aged folks and/or people looking to party. Also, those looking for high-end hotels and restaurants will have better luck in Santa Barbara.

Where should I stay in Carpinteria?

One of the charms and problems with Carpinteria is that it does not have any beachfront hotels. This gives the beach a more secluded feel. A local ordinance bans most short-term rentals near the beach, so if you want to stay close to the sand, plan on booking for at least a month.

I stayed a month in the wonderful Carpinteria Beach Cottages, and recommend it highly! Read my honest impressions of my stay and check out a video tour of my Cottage here.

If you are looking for a shorter stay (or don’t have a month to spare), there are several hotels, mostly near the 101 freeway, each about 1/2 mile from the beach:

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Clean, reliable, with free breakfast and a pool
• Best Western Plus Carpinteria Inn – Spanish-style charm and a cozy courtyard
• Motel 6 – Budget-friendly, pet-friendly, and basic (but safe)

Each of these makes a great home base for all the best things to do in Carpinteria; whether that’s a beach day, garden stroll, or treasure-hunting on Linden Avenue.

What is there to do in Carpinteria?

Carpinteria may be small, but it’s packed with charm, local gems, and just the right amount of quirky fun. Whether you’re wandering solo or soaking up slow mornings with coffee in hand, here’s some stuff that made my trip unforgettable:

Stroll Carpinteria State Beach

Carpinteria has a gorgeous, deep, and wide beach with lovely fine sand. If you go all the way to the right side of the beach you can bring your leashed dog. Happy days!

Carpinteria proudly calls itself the World’s Safest Beach, here’s why:

Matthew Roberts, Carpinteria’s Parks and Rec director: “The Carpinteria beach faces south and in fact if you go right off our beach and you don’t hit Santa Cruz island, the next thing you’ll hit is Antarctica. So we really do face south and that protects us from typical Pacific Northwest storm swells that come in. That south swell allows our beaches to build up with softer sand, and with a nice gradual slope offshore, making it predictable when you wade into the water. It also helps change the dynamics of currents and riptides that you’ve heard about that are more dangerous in other locations.”

Get Lost in Lotusland (Montecito)

_{Sycamore Canyon Road and Cold Spring Road, Montecito}

Go Here! This amazing private garden is located in Montecito (the current hometown of Oprah, Prince Harry & Meghan), which is about a 15-minute drive from Carpinteria. I don’t know much about plants, but I was truly floored by the crazy variety of plants on display. Many times I felt like I was on another planet!

The Gardens (it’s full name is Ganna Walska Lotusland) are divided into several different sections including Japanese, Water, Aloe, Fern, Cactus, Blue, Orchid, Shade Fern, Tropical, Topiary, and Cycad.

Lotusland is open only from mid-February to mid-November each year, and it sells out quickly. Tickets are pricey at $60 per adult, but I think worth it for this stunning experience! Plan to spend at least 2 hours there wandering the gardens. My pictures don’t begin to do it justice.

Treasure Hunt on Linden Avenue

I spent lots of time during my month long stay popping into spots like Seastrand Apparel, Homestead Antiques, and Laughing Buddha Thrift (which looked like a garage sale from the front but ended up being amazing). Linden is Carpinteria’s main street, and it’s made for wandering.

Seastrand Apparel & Gifts

_{919 Linden Avenue, Carpinteria}

This charming boutique features women’s clothing, jewelry, baby clothes, candles, and home decor.

The Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center

_{865 Linden Ave, Carpinteria}

This center, right on Linden Ave, has a fun little art gallery to browse. They also have live music some nights in their courtyard.

I wish I’d realized before I visited for a month, they offer lots of fun classes/workshops you can sign up for. Take a look at their schedule before you go. I wish my home community had these sorts of offerings, like Wreath making, a Bungalow Walking Tour, and Watercolor classes.

Homestead Antiques & Trading

_{943 Linden Ave, Carpinteria}

This is a beautifully curated antique store. Lots of fun to browse for new treasures.

Laughing Buddha Thrift

_{771 Linden Ave, Carpinteria}

This is a really cool place I almost skipped. From the front it kind of looks like a messy garage sale! But once you go into the building, you’ll find room after room full of well-curated random treasures! Well worth taking a look.

Local Newspaper – Coastal View

Be sure to pick up the free local newspaper called “Coastal View.” It will give you info about events going on that week/month, and it’s also just a charming small-town newspaper. I really enjoyed reading it each week during my stay. One of the most fun parts is a section called “Halos & Pitchforks”, where readers can give a “halo” to someone for something good they did or a “pitchfork” for something bad!

Peek at the Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary (Seasonal)

This section of the beach is a protected habitat for harbor seals to give birth between December and May. I went in November and there were no seals to be found, but I did see the pretty little “Townsend’s warbler” while there.

The Alcazar Theater

_{4916 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria}

The Alcazar is a charming community theater that features stage performances and also movies. When I was there a Rod Stewart/Rolling Stones tribute band performing. That’s not something I’d generally seek out, but it ended up being so much fun and really impressive!

You could really feel the community vibe here with so many attendees greeting each other and yucking it up. It felt so friendly and welcoming! Be sure to check out what’s playing when you plan your visit.

Note of caution: bring your earplugs if you have sensitive ears!

Carpinteria Farmers Market

_{800 Block of Linden Ave}

This is a nice farmers market about a block long with produce, flowers, jewelry and art. It’s held every Thursday from 2:30-5:30PM.

Could This Be Your Next Solo Escape?

This is the kind of place you write postcards about, even if you never send them (me). If you’re craving a slower pace, a scenic stroll, and a town that feels like a well-kept secret, Carpinteria might just be your new favorite escape.

If you’re planning your own trip, I hope these ideas gave you a head start. And if you’re still on the fence? Just picture yourself with a good book, ocean breeze, and zero pressure to “do it all.”

Ready to book your stay? I’ve linked a few of my favorite spots above, including the cozy cottage I called home for a month. Grab your sunhat, you’re going to love it here!

Keep Wandering: More Carpinteria Goodness

If you’re as smitten with Carpinteria as I was, don’t stop here:

• Best Restaurants in Carpinteria according to my stomach – Where to eat, snack, sip, and repeat
• Carpinteria Beach Cottages – Charming California Vacation Rental – My honest review of the coziest stay
• Hotel Tour Video – Carpinteria Beach Cottage Tour – A quick peek inside the cottage I called home

Happy planning, and let me know in the comments if you fall for Carpinteria too.

Map of Mentioned Places