Santa Barbara’s Secluded Sanctuary

For those who value a “cloptional” experience that requires a bit of effort to reach, More Mesa is the gold standard in Santa Barbara. It is a sprawling, rugged stretch of coastline that feels entirely detached from the city’s more manicured beaches.

Important Navigation Notes

The Address: This is a residential address directly adjacent to the trailhead. Use it to get your GPS to the right spot, but do not park on Mockingbird Lane.
Parking Protocol: Mockingbird Lane is a private road/cul-de-sac with strict no-parking enforcement. You must park your vehicle on Vieja Drive or Puente Drive and then walk approximately 1/4 mile up the hill on Mockingbird Lane to reach the mesa entrance.
Alternate Entrance: If you prefer a more “official” starting point with slightly more street parking, you can also use 5300 Shoreline Drive, Santa Barbara, CA. This is the Patterson Avenue entrance. It is a longer walk across the mesa to the beach stairs (about 20 minutes), but it’s a beautiful route if the neighborhood parking near Mockingbird is full.

Status & Legality

It is important to be direct: More Mesa is an unofficial clothing-optional beach. While nudity is deeply entrenched in the local culture here, it is technically against Santa Barbara County ordinances. Authorities generally practice a “live and let live” policy in this remote area, but a citation is always a theoretical possibility. Most regulars consider the seclusion worth the minor risk.

The Social Map

Once you hit the sand, the beach follows a clear, self-policed layout:

To the West (Right): This is the primary clothing-optional zone. It stretches toward Goleta and is the heart of the “cloptional” scene, frequented by a mix of long-time naturists, locals, and UCSB students. The vibe is quiet, respectful, and grounded.
To the East (Left): This area is traditionally clothed and serves as a buffer between the stairs and the more public-facing sections of the coast.

The “Cloptional” Etiquette

Respect the Sanctuary: The community here is built on mutual trust. Photography is strictly forbidden—respecting the privacy of others is the price of admission.
Natural Hazards: Expect a bit of Santa Barbara “gold”—natural beach tar. Keep a small bottle of baby oil in your bag for easy removal.
Self-Reliance: There are zero amenities (no water, no restrooms, no trash cans). Pack out everything you bring in to keep the mesa pristine.
Awareness: While the atmosphere is overwhelmingly “chill,” the secluded nature of the beach means you should stay mindful of your surroundings. Most visitors find that a “mind your own business” approach keeps the environment comfortable for everyone.

The Cloptional Take: More Mesa isn’t for the casual tourist. It’s for the adventurer who doesn’t mind a hike and a flight of stairs in exchange for one of the most liberated, scenic, and authentic stretches of sand on the Central Coast.