Campgrounds to the north
El Capitan State Beach
|
El Capitan State Beach is just 20 minutes north of downtown Santa Barbara. It has a beautiful beachside campground with rocky tidepools and trees lining the nearby El Capitan Creek. It's a perfect place for swimming, fishing, surfing, picnicking and camping. Campers have access to bathrooms, showers (pay with quarters), and a camp store. Sites cost $45 per night and can hold up to 8 people. Book early at www.reserveamerica.com.
Directions to campground: Get on the the 101 north. Take exit 117 for El Capitan State Beach. Turn left onto El Cpitan State Beach Rd. El Capitan Canyon Concerts and Bonfires - live music and bonfires every Saturday night from the end of May to early September. Come at 6pm for the BBQ ($18 per person) or just enjoy the music and bonfire from 7pm - 9pm ($10). Here's the schedule. Directions to El Capitan Canyon: 11560 Calle Real, Santa Barbara CA 93117, (805) 685-3887. From Goleta, head north on Highway 101. There are two El Capitan exits. Take the second one. Instead of turning left at the exit to head to the beach, turn right. Turn left immediately into the El Capitan Canyon driveway and pay at the booth. |
|
Refugio State Beach
Refugio campground is just north of El Capitan, about 25 min from Santa Barbara. It offers great camping right on the coast. Many people come to hike, fish, kayak, bike, surf, swim, and BBQ. Campers have access to bathrooms, showers (pay with quarters), and a camp store. Sites cost $45 per night and can hold up to 8 people. Book early at www.reserveamerica.com.
Directions: Take the 101 north to exit 120 for Refugio Rd. Turn left onto Forest Rt 5N12 / Refugio Beach Rd. If you don't have a car, the best way would be to share an uber or a taxi.
Directions: Take the 101 north to exit 120 for Refugio Rd. Turn left onto Forest Rt 5N12 / Refugio Beach Rd. If you don't have a car, the best way would be to share an uber or a taxi.
Jalama Beach
Jalama Beach offers another great seaside camping experience. It's a bit further north than Refugio and El Capitan. From downtown Santa Barbara, it takes about an hour and a half to get up there, but the drive is worth it! The beach is vast and covered in dunes. It is a popular surf spot, and on a big day you can watch the experts ride (or attempt to ride yourself) waves as large as 15ft! Campsites are usually $23-28 per night and include bathrooms and coin showers. Reservations can be made online at the county parks website (just click on the link for Jalama). There are also first come first-served sites available, but those go quickly, so it's best to get there early.
Jalama Burgers! At the end of the parking lot there is a convenient store that sells food and toiletries. Their burgers are excellent!
Directions: Drive on the 101 north for about 34 miles. Take exit 132 for CA 1 North toward Lompoc/Vandenberg Air Force Base. Turn left onto CA-1 N. Turn left onto Jalama Rd. Make a slight right onto Jalama Beach Rd (you will cross the railroad tracks). Keep left at the fork to enter the campground.
Directions: Drive on the 101 north for about 34 miles. Take exit 132 for CA 1 North toward Lompoc/Vandenberg Air Force Base. Turn left onto CA-1 N. Turn left onto Jalama Rd. Make a slight right onto Jalama Beach Rd (you will cross the railroad tracks). Keep left at the fork to enter the campground.
