West beach activities seemed to stir up a lot of sand this weekend as the Semana Nautica Summer Sports organization kicked off its second annual beach soccer slam with $500 going to the winning team. There were top quality players on hand from the UCSB men’s team, City College and high schools. And, the girls were showing the guys how to really play the game.

West beach in Santa Barbara, is also one of the best places to enjoy the Pacific Ocean. The beach is huge, with crystal clear white sand and it opens into a small bay protected from the ocean by a man made bluff. Because of the bluff, the bay is protected from the large ocean waves and so is perfect for kayaking or sailing small boats, which was perfect for the annual cardboard boat races that were held in tandem with the beach soccer.

Daily activities at West Beach include kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing. This has to be one of our favorite places to visit! So get here!

Also, be sure to look for whales. Every once and a while, a whale pops up around the bay before disappearing back out in the open ocean.

The, when the day is done or you’re just exhausted from all the activities, right behind the beach are a number of great restaurants and cafes. Be sure to check them out too.

California Bums, we look at life from a different angle!