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    El Capitan State Beach

    3.5 (238 reviews)

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    Garland W.

    Oil covered beach. Off shore drilling near by. Hard to tell when you first get there, but oil accumulates and your feet/shoes

    Sanaz S.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE El Cap. Have camped here a handful of times, and it has always been fantastic. The drive in to the campground sets the tone. Lush narrow roads overgrown with wilderness. The sites are clearly labeled, and far apart enough from each other. There is really not a bad site in the campground, as you have sweeping views of the ocean, and a beautiful trail to walk along and enjoy these views. Bathrooms and showers are good enough and not stinky. Campers here have been quiet and respectful of others on each of my trips here. One two separate occasions that I camped here, it was raining. What better place to read and nap away a rainy day than in a site overlooking the gray, cloudy ocean with the low glimmer of the de-commissioned oil rigs in the distance. El Cap, you are a stunner!

    Stream
    Cassidy I.

    The beach is great place for hiking and enjoying the ocean! It is adjacent to the campsite as well. The bathrooms are in good shape and there is ample parking. The beach itself is well kept, though perhaps not the most picturesque compared to others in the Santa Barbara area. However, this also means it's much less crowded than other beaches! As of 7/7/24, part of one of the trail is washed out but still passable with a two foot drop them climb on the other side. You can also circumvent this by walking along the beach. There is a $10/car entrance fee for day use.

    Awesome awesome awesome camp host
    Judy a.

    This review is strictly for the camp host Kirk what a great guy.. We rode our bikes over, and he was absolutely the best at explaining everything . Thank you so much for your kindness . The Atilano's that road from refugee on their bikes

    Restrooms day use
    Debra R.

    This state beach is worth the $10 entry fee. Clean bathrooms, a store (open during the summer season), paved walkways leading along the shoreline, and so much more. My husband and I spent a pleasant warm afternoon here in November, with the place almost to ourselves. Gone is the summer crowd, with very few campers in the campground which is also packed during the summer. We walked down to the tidepools and walked the trail through the woodland with its huge sycamore trees. It is very peaceful and quiet on the beach, with great views of the Channel Islands and along the coastline on a clear day. Picnic tables line the beach, which is filled with cobblestones, except for a few sandy stretches. There is a bike trail leading up to the campground as well.

    Ben A.

    I really thought about giving this place one star... But only to make a feeble attempt to keep people from coming here, giving me a better chance of getting a reservation. Then again, that's really not what yelp is all about, so here is my honest assessment of El Capitan State Beach. As beaches go, it's one of the better ones in Southern California I suppose... A couple of miles of sand some parts of the year, and when the sand my grades down the beach with seasonal currents, it's a cobblestone shoreline as far as you can see in both directions. For the casual wave whomper, This is a fun little beach to goof around, body surf with the kids, maybe push your daughter on a boogie board or something. There always seems to be a couple of guys trying to surf, but nothing like the point breaks up and down the line. Many times throughout the summer and spring, there's a lot of eel grass, seaweed, another vegetation in the water. If you are a surf fisherman, this gets very frustrating. You've been warned... Better bet is to head down the coast to Goleta, or up to Refugio to try your hand for surf fish. For the day use visitor, there is a big parking lot, a kiosk to pay, and at certain times during the year, there's a little beach store near the bathrooms and showers. When we come this far, we generally camp, and it's a reservations required sort of thing. There are several loops, with some of them having better views of the ocean than others. There is also the long Shoreline Trail whose name escapes me, but when it's not washed out from rain, it's a really cool way to ride your bike or run up and down the coast with one of the best jogging views around. There are picnic tables along the shoreline also, if you'd like to eat next to the sea. Camping here is like a lot of places in California state beaches - a picnic table, a fire ring, a little piece of dirt, and an asphalt pad to park your car or small camper. Quiet hours are observed and enforced, which is a nice thing... Nothing worse than looking for a little peace and quiet on the weekend and ending up next to some group playing music with a lot of bass into the wee hours of the morning. That ain't happening here. There's a little bit of nature here too, if you're into that sort of thing... Leave your cooler out on the table, and the local raccoons will help themselves to its contents. Occasionally there's a snake or a skunk scampering around, and plenty of birds from hummingbirds to see calls to turkey vultures and everything in between for the casual birdwatcher. It's not exactly roughing it, but it's a nice way to get away for a weekend. Showers and flush toilet bathrooms are on the older side, but mostly functional. It's not Redwood national Park, but it's not Doheney beach either.

    Shannon C.

    Beautiful location, and amazing hikes and sights! Campsites close to the train tracks are noisy and the raccoons at night are a nuisance.

    Far end of the beach
    Stephanie V.

    I absolutely loved this place! We did overnight camping and the next day stayed by the beach. Restrooms and hot showers available (quarters) , the sites have fire pits where you can bbq too or you can bring your own grill. Walking distance to the beach which was very clean and calm waters for the most part. You can do a day picnic by the beach and bring your grill as well. There's lifeguards on duty and there's even a little store where you can get ice, firewood, water, snacks, some essentials and souvenirs! All the staff everywhere is super friendly and professional. They even had programs at night by a small amphitheater. We went to one where they had two rescue owls and their handlers and rangers gave a really nice and professional program even with slide show! It's definitely one of my favorite spots. Tip, for last minute camping reservations, the website releases camping sites available at 8am every day, but they don't last long so you gotta reserve quick! They will always have something available. Reservecalifornia.com

    1sts
    Cameron M.

    This is a great place to go if you enjoy the outdoors but you don't want to drive forever and a day to get somewhere that is away from the city. This campground reminds of the San Clemente SB campsite in that it sits at the top of a bluff and is close to the freeway. I made it a point to hurry up and leave this review as to not compare my experience to other trips I have planned, but I must say that camping near the 101 outside of Santa Barbara is much less of a nuisance as is camping outside of San Diego near the 5. There are good chunks of time where you don't hear cars doing 80 mph past you as you sleep and can actually hear the soothing sounds of the ocean. Aside from the winds (out of anyones control) and the ashes in the fire pit, I don't have any complaints about the trip. It seemed as if there were weeks worth of fire wood ash in the pit and having that blow around while trying to enjoy our own fire kind of sucked. The facility and site was otherwise well maintained and made for an awesome first camping experience for the fam.

    An osprey watching
    Colleen O.

    It's a great beach for camping, hiking, biking, and just spending a day on the ocean.

    Elena L.

    At the entrance you need to pay $ 10. It's not clear what you're paying for. There is nothing special on the beach. A toilet, a shop with beach paraphernalia and souvenirs, and one working lifeguard booth. The beach is narrow, there is not enough space, plus if you go further there are a lot of stones and generally nowhere to lie. We were on a weekday at 3 pm and there was practically no place. I do not recommend this beach, just throw away 10$

    Ron K.

    When everyone seems to be doing everything outdoors during these days why not just avoid indoor stays and comforts and just go camping instead:) El Capitan is one of my favorite places to come to when you want to hear the ocean breeze and you don't want to pay SB hotel prices. I go here over Refugio any day as that place gets way too booked and the think the campsite here is more spread out and private. I also like the more rustic beach which you can use while you stay hear. I'm totally in the minority in this but I suggest camping here without a tent to get the best overall experience. The stars here are absolutely spectacular and it will make you appreciate beyond our earth and maybe pick up some insights peeking at that Milky Way that shows through or Orion's Belt during the winter months. Weather is never that cold but then my bod has a good thermostat. You can make a reservation online or pay when you show up. In the Summer months reservations are best but most other months it's easy to get in. If you show up after 8 pm there is no one meaning the gate. But don't not worry you can drive into the grounds and find a space and just pay when you leave. Lastly be aware that the showers are pretty rustic here and clean but a bit smelly. I'm not one to use them and I jump in the ocean instead as I go au natural with salt water cleaning effect. Lastly be reasonable with the neighbors. I did go to a big big diving event here where we were kind of loud and I've had times where people want to party late but it's pretty rare. This place is so dark most people just turn in pretty early so you are good. Don't bring an alarm clock as you will be woken to the wonderful sunrise in the early AM.. If you want an easy one night camping experience and your coming or leaving Santa Barbara this a fun stop to come to. They have a day pass to the beach but I don't think that is worth paying for as the beach is not anything better than what you find with the free options in SB. Enjoy :)

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    Beautiful place. Great for family. I will definitely come back. The cabin needs some maintenance though.

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - El Capitan State Beach

    Would like to know if I have a friend staying there can I drop my trailer off for her to use, we will not being staying with them but I told her she can use my trailer?

    Hey Mechelle, it's fine for you to drop off the trailer at the campground for her to use; however, please note that there are no RV hookups at El Capitan, as it is a dry camp ground.

    Can you fly a drone?

    I didn't see any signs saying no.

    Where is the closest place to purchase firewood when camping here?

    There's a store inside the park by the day use area. They close at 5pm. Fire bundles $10 They also have ice, and other essentials

    Does each campsite have their own firepit?

    Yes, with the exception of the Del Mar area. There are plans to install some up there, but it has not yet been completed.

    Are showers coin operated?

    Yes, Showers are coin operated. Bring quarters.

    Can I bring my RV dry and fill up my water tank at the campground?

    Yes you can. There is a water spicket, but I would suggest hooking up your own hose to it.

    Can it handle Rv parking?

    Yes it can. Lots of large spaces!

    View All 9 Questions

    Review Highlights - El Capitan State Beach

    If you want an easy one night camping experience and your coming or leaving Santa Barbara this a fun stop to come to.

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    Goleta Beach Park

    Goleta Beach Park

    4.0
    (87 reviews)
    11.5 mi

    We spent 4th of July weekend in Goleta and hit Goleta Beach on our Saturday afternoon. Was it the…read moreprettiest beach in Santa Barbara? No. But it was pleasant and super easy, with free parking and zero crowd. We'd be lucky to have a beach like it in L.A. The sand wasn't especially nice, I guess, coarse and rocky and full of ocean debris. There was also a water quality advisory out for the day we went, which we only discovered once we had all our stuff set up. Otherwise, though, I have no complaints. The view was beautiful, and we were able to claim a prime spot to put down our friends' massive cabana. We brought chairs and beach toys and spent the afternoon relaxing, as all five kids in our crew were thoroughly entertained. My older boy even enjoyed the rockiness of the beach, collecting several interesting rocks that he requested to take home (we let him pick two). If you're looking for a quiet beach to lay out and entertain children, Goleta Beach is a great option. We had a lot of fun here and would be happy to go back for more rocks and sun.

    I love a walk along a pier, so I ended up here namely for the pier. I had a little wander around…read moreand appreciated the sand and ocean. There might be some renovations going on; there were chain link fences everywhere -- starting from just right of The Ellwood down a bit. The fences made my walk a little more challenging to navigate and a little less scenic, but hopefully they are temporary. I'm happy I stopped, but know for the future to come prepared with anything I might need (e.g. there isn't a coffee shop nearby, so if I want a cup of tea for my walk, come with it.) Since I'm not from the area, I found it a little random to get to, but can see that it's closeby to the airport, the campus, etc. And it has a pier! 2025: 30/100

    Photos
    Enjoying the views, even on a "May gray" day
    Enjoying the views, even on a "May gray" day
    View
    View
    Much pelicanos!

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    Much pelicanos!
    Campus Point Beach

    Campus Point Beach

    4.1
    (8 reviews)
    11.1 mi

    My partner and I are regulars at Campus Point Beach. It is highly accessible for a disabled person…read more There are bathrooms and a shower to wash off sand. The view of the shoreline and islands are majestic. A great spot for a picnic, a romantic walk on the beach, or equally, how about an angry irritated walk on the beach? The meditative rhythm of the waves soothes the soul. We regularly spot surfers, pelicans, sandpipers, dolphins, seals, whales, sailboats, cruise ships, The Channel Islands, and even anemones and limpets when tidepoooling. The only warning: The beach is now transformed, much of the sand is gone and the shore is very rocky since the recent unprecedented storms and atmospheric rivers. This makes for unstable ground. The UCSB lagoon is a beautiful spot and adjacent to the beach. There are also easy hiking trails to explore nearby. The UCSB Marine Lab is also located at Campus Point and offers touch tanks full of aquatic discovery and learning, tactile stimulation and joyful wonder! So make haste and head to the beach already!

    Overlooking the ocean on the cliffs is one of my favorite spots to study at UCSB. There are benches…read morefor people to sit on and it's generally very quiet and relaxing. One of the best views on the campus! The more you walk to the right of the cliffs, you will find the Labyrinth! You have to do the Labyrinth when you come to UCSB, you will feel so accomplished! Right before you enter the beach, there is UCSB's Reef. You can come here and touch a variety of sea creatures from, starfish to fish, they have it all! Super super cool experience! Depending on the day and the tides, this beach and Sands is the best to get your surf on in Goleta. You can always rent paddle boards, wet suits, kayaks and surfboards from UCSB's Recreation Center right off the water! It ranges from $10-$30 an hour depending on what you're renting or $30-$60 all day. Check out the link for more information! https://recreation.ucsb.edu/sites/default/files/2020-01/ucsb-campus-point-rentals-2016_bc7fd9fa-9062-40ab-86df-e405787716cf.pdf.pdf

    Photos
    Chitin
    Chitin
    The vibe
    The vibe
    There used to be sand...

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    There used to be sand...
    Coronado Butterfly Preserve

    Coronado Butterfly Preserve

    4.5
    (94 reviews)
    8.0 mi

    Just Winging It We…read morethought we had a pretty good handle on all the major Monarch butterfly stopovers from Pacific Grove to Pismo, but somehow this place eluded us until we saw a display on it at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. The Coronado Butterfly Preserve is ±9.3 acres of protected open space and--more importantly--a Monarch butterfly overwintering site. It is located in the City of Goleta and sits adjacent to Santa Barbara Shores Park. The Good: * Free to visit * Trails are flat and in great shape. They can get a bit muddy after a rain, but it wasn't terrible. * Trails lead into Santa Barbara Shores Park. * Beach access. The Meh: * Butterfly viewing can be very hit-or-miss here, as we only saw a small handful floating about. The Ugly: * Street parking in neighborhoods, which isn't my favorite, but it is what it is. Conclusion: Nice place to visit regardless of the butterfly count.

    They have a parking lot at Santa Barbara Shores park, which is located across from Ellwood School…read moreon Hollister Ave. This parking lot has an entrance to the preserve with a general map for viewing. We followed directions through Yelp however; and it brought us to a neighborhood street where we could park and enter the preserve via a trail. This worked great until we realized the trails are not marked and it was hard to know where you were headed and if and when we would loop back to our car. I highly suggest parking in the lot and using a different map than the one through Yelp. That being said the preserve was a different habitat for us to walk through with so many tall trees to shade you and create wonderful places for the many birds we could hear and see. We did see a couple of butterflies, so that was nice. This preserve seems to be a work in progress and donations are being accepted to aid in their goal. I think it is going to be a fabulous asset to the community when it is completed.

    Photos
    Coronado Butterfly Preserve
    Coronado Butterfly Preserve
    Coronado Butterfly Preserve
    Trail through Eucalyptus Trees

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    Trail through Eucalyptus Trees

    El Capitan State Beach - parks - Updated August 2026

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