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GhostFingers · Santa Barbara County · Santa Barbara

Sandspit

Short, hollow right that breaks off the sand spit at the Santa Barbara harbour breakwater. Needs a long-period west or southwest swell to wrap past the point and stand up on the bar.

Santa Barbara Famous spot

Spot intel

Parking

Harbour lots off Shoreline Drive with a posted fee. Access along the breakwater.

Crowd

Thick and expert-heavy on the rare days it breaks. The takeoff zone is one narrow peak.

Beginner-friendly?

No.

A shallow, fast barrel breaking beside a rock breakwater, with harbour currents and a single tight takeoff. Not a beginner wave.

Famous for

A rare, short, hollow right at the Santa Barbara harbour mouth that only breaks on long-period west and southwest swell.

Lineup etiquette

Priority goes to the deepest rider at the peak. On a one-peak wave that rule is the whole lineup.

When it’s on

Long-period west through southwest groundswell with light offshore wind from the north. Low tide window.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
34.4040, -119.6870
Shore faces
SSW
Region
Santa Barbara, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Sandspit?
Sandspit works best on a S to WSW swell. It also picks up SW to W swell.
How big does Sandspit need to be?
Sandspit is best in the 3-8ft range on a 14-22s period.
What are the best conditions at Sandspit?
Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 0-3ft.
Where is Sandspit?
Sandspit is a harbor-mouth left in Santa Barbara, California. The beach faces SSW.
Does GhostFingers forecast Sandspit?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Sandspit with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.

New to reading a forecast? Start here.

Launching winter 2026.

Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.

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