Tarpits

📍 Local Knowledge

Tarpits in Santa Barbara is a fairly exposed beach and reef break known for quite reliable surf, offering both left and right-hand waves. Summer typically brings the favored surfing conditions, with offshore winds from the northeast and groundswells from the southwest providing the best rides. The spot works best around low tide as it’s rising and can sometimes get crowded. Surfers should be cautious of localism and pollution hazards. The best conditions for surfing Tarpits occur when a southwest swell combines with offshore winds from the northeast. The prime time for consistent clean waves, with rideable swell and light or offshore winds, is during winter, most often in January.