The Spit is a small beach at the more northern end of Santa Barbara. It's less touristy than the beaches alongside town though in the summer weekend days, it's still quite busy. It has an area to the left to take dogs and there are often boogie boarders, though there is a lot of seaweed in the water.
There is a great restaurant called The Brown Pelican, which is yummy and romantic- a great spot to come to on a date because it is typically secluded at night and has an incredible view of constellations and shooting stars.