Surfing Mesa Lane

Between Hendry’s Beach and Leadbetter Point are series of beach and reef breaks. They rarely get good and are tough to access, although Mesa Lane (called “The Pendulum” back in the day) can occasionally provide some surfable waves in the fall, winter and spring on an incoming tide. Like Hendry’s Beach, Mesa Lane is popular with the local after-work and after-school crowd.

How to get to Mesa Lane

Take the Carrillo Street exit on the 101 highway and head up Carrillo hill towards the ocean. Make a right on Cliff, after a mile, turn left at the second stop light, Mesa Lane Street. Park in the neighborhood and walk down the stairs. Note: chances are if you need thse directions to get there, the locals will not be happy with your arrival, brah! In that case, head over to Leadbetter.

Trivia: The Santa Barbara lighthouse, located right around the corner from Mesa Lane, was built in 1856 at a cost of $8,000.

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