The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Birding Near Santa Barbara, CA

29 birding locations within 50 miles

California · United States

29

Locations

68+

Species

9

Habitats

3

Peak Seasons

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Birding Locations Near Santa Barbara

Desert birding habitat

California

2.3 mi away

Moderate

Andree Clark Bird Refuge

Desert birding hotspot in California with 247 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

5.6 mi away

Moderate

More Mesa

Desert birding hotspot in California with 207 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

8.4 mi away

Easy

UCSB - Campus Lagoon

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 256 recorded species.

WetlandUrban ParkFallWinter
green grass field under blue sky during daytime

California

8.8 mi away

Easy

Lake Los Carneros Park

Lake birding hotspot in California with 276 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

10.1 mi away

Moderate

Coal Oil Point Reserve - Devereux Slough

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 290 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

10.3 mi away

Easy

UCSB North Campus Open Space

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 259 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
River/Riparian birding habitat

California

10.7 mi away

Moderate

Carpinteria Creek

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 251 recorded species.

River/RiparianFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

18.2 mi away

Easy

Cachuma Lake Park

Lake birding hotspot in California with 219 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

18.7 mi away

Moderate

El Capitan State Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 218 recorded species.

CoastalFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

20.4 mi away

Moderate

Lake Casitas Recreation Area

Lake birding hotspot in California with 225 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

20.6 mi away

Moderate

Lake Casitas

Lake birding hotspot in California with 265 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

21.4 mi away

Moderate

Refugio State Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 258 recorded species.

CoastalFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

22.4 mi away

Moderate

Matilija Riparian and Lake

Lake birding hotspot in California with 208 recorded species.

LakeRiver/RiparianFallWinter
River/Riparian birding habitat

California

24.4 mi away

Moderate

Ventura River Estuary

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 246 recorded species.

River/RiparianEstuaryFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

24.4 mi away

Moderate

Ojai Meadows

Desert birding hotspot in California with 203 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

26.8 mi away

Challenging

Santa Cruz Island - Scorpion Canyon Campgrounds

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 237 recorded species.

CoastalCanyonFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

27.8 mi away

Challenging

Santa Cruz Island - Prisoners Harbor

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 250 recorded species.

CoastalFallWinter
A calm marsh with grasses and water under soft light

California

27.9 mi away

Moderate

Ventura Settling Ponds

Desert birding hotspot in California with 312 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
River/Riparian birding habitat

California

28.1 mi away

Moderate

Santa Clara River Estuary

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 290 recorded species.

River/RiparianEstuaryFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

28.4 mi away

Moderate

McGrath State Beach - general

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 274 recorded species.

CoastalFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

29.0 mi away

Challenging

Santa Cruz Island / Limuw

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 201 recorded species.

CoastalFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

30.4 mi away

Easy

Gaviota State Park

Desert birding hotspot in California with 260 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

34.2 mi away

Moderate

Saticoy Spreading Ponds

Desert birding hotspot in California with 262 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

35.1 mi away

Moderate

Ormond Beach and lagoon

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 231 recorded species.

WetlandCoastalFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

37.2 mi away

Moderate

Ormond Beach - Arnold Road

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 273 recorded species.

CoastalFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

41.6 mi away

Moderate

Mugu Lagoon - east arm

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 205 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

43.1 mi away

Moderate

Mugu Rock - seawatch

Desert birding hotspot in California with 208 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Canyon birding habitat

California

45.8 mi away

Easy

Point Mugu State Park - Sycamore Canyon

Canyon birding hotspot in California with 281 recorded species.

CanyonFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

46.2 mi away

Easy

Jalama Beach County Park

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 232 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkFallWinter

Top Species Near Santa Barbara

Notable birds found at locations within 50 miles:

Canada GooseNorthern ShovelerMallardLesser ScaupBuffleheadMourning DoveAnna's HummingbirdSoraGreat EgretHairy WoodpeckerAmerican WigeonSurf ScoterGadwallRuddy DuckTownsend's WarblerHeermann's GullBand-tailed PigeonAllen's HummingbirdRed-tailed HawkAcorn WoodpeckerDowny WoodpeckerRed-breasted MerganserCinnamon TealEurasian Collared-DoveBlack Phoebe+43 more

Habitats & Seasons

Habitat Types:

Coastal9 locations
Desert7 locations
Chaparral7 locations
Urban Park5 locations
Lake5 locations
Wetland4 locations
River/Riparian4 locations
Estuary2 locations
Canyon2 locations

Best Seasons:

Spring29 locations
Fall29 locations
Winter29 locations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots near Santa Barbara, CA?▼
Top birding locations within 50 miles of Santa Barbara include Andree Clark Bird Refuge, More Mesa, UCSB - Campus Lagoon, Lake Los Carneros Park, Coal Oil Point Reserve - Devereux Slough. These spots offer desert, chaparral, wetland habitats.
What birds can I see near Santa Barbara?▼
Birders near Santa Barbara can spot species including Canada Goose, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Sora. The area's 9 habitat types support diverse birdlife year-round.
When is the best time for birding near Santa Barbara?▼
The best seasons for birding near Santa Barbara are Spring and Fall and Winter. Spring migration is particularly rewarding. Fall brings migrating raptors and songbirds.
How many birding locations are near Santa Barbara?▼
There are 29 documented birding locations within 50 miles of Santa Barbara, CA, ranging from 2.3 to 46.2 miles from the city center.

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