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    Jalama Beach County Park

    4.2 (173 reviews)

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    Kristine H.

    Annual visit. Great little hideaway. Beach vibe. We stay away from humans and simply park and spend time on the beach so it's PERFECTO!!

    Market place and burgers
    Alex R.

    A must stop if you are driving up the coast.. private, clean, great beach and the burgers were awesome. Can't wait to go back and stay a few days

    Beautiful
    Diann B.

    I Love Jalama Beach County Park! We camped over Veteran's Day weekend. We stayed at space #94. It had electrical hookup. I didn't notice that there wasn't hook up for water. I looked at hubby and apologized. He wasn't fazed. We were able to fill up at the water station via a hose. You must have your own hose. There is a dump station as well. Jalama is normally very windy. We did have wind. I wish I brought my bad ass kite. Next time, right?? I love Jalama for the epic views and the fact that your dogs can go on the beach. Unbeknownst to me, I ran into 2 friends. We were all surprised to see each other. They are both surfers. They said that they love surfing here at Jalama. Everyone we met was super friendly. Everything was wonderful. The fires at night, the burgers at the store, and the stars at night are simply breathtaking. The employee at check in was super chill and helpful. It had been 15 years since I was at Jalama Beach. I intend on staying here every year.

    Jewels B.

    We scored a last minute cancellation of site 28 at Jalama beach for Labor Day weekend and had a great experience! A few things that I didn't quite catch from other reviews that I read that would have been good to know: -Even if the weather is calm and warm during the day, the wind is NUTS here at night. Extremely windy. Make sure everything is put away before bed and if you're tent camping, make sure everything is secured and anchored well. -The bathrooms are currently under construction and are porta potties. If you go to another part of the campsite, you can find a real bathroom but it's almost worse than the porta potty. We hope the new ones will be nice! -There's a dishwashing station with warm water which was fantastic. -The Jalama Beach shop and restaurant has SO many essentials should you forget something. I wish everywhere we camped had a shop like that! -The kids loved the little playground they had there. -There's a ground covering that's along the entrance into the beach that has the SPIKIEST, most painful little balls that get stuck in your feet and then your finger when you try to remove them so be careful! -There are the MOST interesting rocks all along this shore. And sand dollars too! There's tar all over the beach, too, though so be careful! The shop has a good solution to remove it if you get it stuck to you. -There's a little creek/run off areas from the ocean which is fun to play in, too! -The water is freezing, even at the end of August but it's refreshing on a hot day! My kids that love the waves in Long Beach and Newport did not brave these ones and instead played in the driftwood forts on the sand. -The Amtrak runs right through the area and is fun for the kids to check out and wave to. -There were a few unhoused people exhibiting erratic behavior we encountered throughout our stay and my child said she saw one lady pull her pants down and reveal herself before getting arrested and hauled off around 7am. -Lots of ants around so make sure everything is air tight! We didn't see a single mosquito or bee, which we usually see camping, so that was one benefit of the wind! - Site 28 is in a good location/proximity to the dishwashing, bathrooms, beach, etc, but it's not really ideal for tent camping because it's really exposed on all sides and there's no trees. Would be perfect for RV camping. The ground is too hard to stake in some areas. -There's zero cell service, which I personally think is a great thing. But there is a working pay phone that's $1 in quarters for 2 minutes if needed All in all, it was a great trip and we'll definitely be back.

    View from the bluff campsites with power.
    Sharon N.

    Jalama Beach is a hidden gem along the coast between Santa Barbara and Lompoc. Don't be detoured with the 14 mile drive to the beach camping weekend of your dreams. Jalama campground has miles of walkable beach a camp store with tent and RV camping. You can camp on the beach in the flat almost parking lot sites and the buffs. Several cottages are also available to rent with kitchens, beds and satellite TV. The cafe store serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is stocked with necessities like firewood, bug spray, beer wine and grocery items. Free WiFi is available in the park. Tips: Give yourself 30 minutes to get to the campground once you exit Hwy 1. Take your time it's a beautiful drive. Avoid driving at night. Bring binoculars for whale, dolphin watching and Vandenberg launches in the evening. The tar wasn't bad but bring water shoes or old shoes for beach walks. The burger at the cafe is good but the clam chowder and breakfast burritos are amazing as well. The bathroom and showers have been under construction for months. Bring a portable shower and toilet if you have them to avoid the walk to the far ends of the campsite for the only working restrooms. Bring a book, unplug and walk the beach!

    Cooking breakfast!
    Audrey J.

    My boyfriend and I came to Jalama for a two night getaway and were more than happy with our experience! We were originally upset about not being closer to the beach, but upon setting up we're super happy to be up above on site 113. The view was in incredible (best view in the whole site actually) and it felt way more secluded than the sites down below. Either camp directly on the beach or up on the bluff. It's worth being a little fat from the showers. Make sure to check the Vandenberg rocket launch schedule before booking so you don't get evacuated!

    Best kept secret on the west coast. Jalama Cheeseburgers. Don't leave the park without one!
    Lee D.

    Surf, rekax, hike and eat Jalama burgers every day! This is what keeps the doctors away.

    Beautiful sky @sunset
    Tabatha D.

    Had a great time camping @jalama beach. But if your not camping you can go for the day and get a famous Jalama burger! They are delicious! I added bacon and pepper jack cheese to mine. They have showers you can use with quarters and a dishwashing station which is nice since they don't have full hookups. Trey do have picnic tables and bbq pits in the sites which is nice, and a few small cabins.

    The sunset, every dusk, obviously, stunning.
    Rob V.

    Beautiful views, the higher up the hill the better! The higher up sites have electric ONLY, not water. There is an RV water tank fill station at the entrance. Beach or sea level sites are all primitive. Bathrooms were old, but clean'ish. The beach is beautiful, but covered with tar!!! Be careful it gets all over your feet and your dogs paws!!! It comes off with mineral oil and scrubbing. The water is frigid, but that's a good thing! . The wind, as soon as the sun sets the wind picks up. It's strong, umbrellas and easy ups blow away often; Tents blow flat. Sometimes the wind lasts all night, sometimes only for a bit. It's worth it though. If you're towing or an RV, the road in is rough and narrow. It's only 14 miles, but you're traveling at only about 25 mph the whole way. The store and cafe there are very cool. We had the Jalama Burger, of course, it's a MUST try. We also had the ahi burger. Both meals did not disappoint, just delicious. There is a lot of other menu items I'll try when I go back. If you're frugal like me, stop in Santa Maria and load up on supplies, the Jalama store prices are outrageous! You can't blame them though, it's a LONG drive to get stuff out there. There is NO CELL SERVICE, NONE!!!! They do have a wifi set up for guests, but it had very limited in bandwidth, so most the time it doesn't work very well. When you're there you are truly disconnected. It'll be okay, you're life won't end, in fact it'll probably get better. Finally, the staff, one word, AMAZING! Everyone there was so willing and happy to help. But of course your attitude will make the difference. It's a VERY popular campground and I'm sure the staff puts up with a lot of sh**! Remember the golden rule.

    Hiking spot
    Sesame W.

    Visited Jalama Beach County Park and although it was extremely windy, our entire group enjoyed the 3 day visit. From multiple hiking spots, to an updated and clean kids playground, to horseshoes, beach fishing and sitting benches, there is plenty to do. Each campsite has a dedicated table and fire ring and it has a rack that can go over top to boil water or grill, etc. The campground is kept very clean, bathrooms and showers (don't forget your quarters) are in tip top shape, the campground store has everything you can imagine. We were told that the burgers were a must try and we found them to be average. The chicken sandwich, fries and onion rings out of this world! It gets chilly at night, so make sure you bring firewood (or purchase at the store), extra layers and blankets. You will survive and you will absolutely enjoy the sounds of the ocean at night and the beautiful views during the day! The best thing about this place are the park rangers and store staff.

    Beach
    Whit D.

    Nice beach! $10 per car and $3 per dog. A hidden gem- no crowds. Just you and a few others and the beach. Views are spectacular. Roads have a lot of turns getting there but worth it. A must when visiting the area!

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    1 month ago

    My experience at jalama beach was amazing the food was great the beach was nice great vacation.

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    1 year ago

    Beautiful clean beach, ample parking, nice staff, clean showers (bring quarters!) Beautiful drive in. We'll be back!

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    1 year ago

    Nice little shopper had a great site and enjoyed our stay. The sunset was beautiful. Very friendly people. Clean restroom.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Jalama Beach County Park

    I've been looking into going camping anytime this year with my RV but everything seems to be booked. Any opening ava for this year?

    It is difficult to get campsites if you do not log on early in the morning or once the calendar resets, (possibly midnight?). I have been able to get reservations every month tho. It is 6 months in advance & books that far out quickly! Currently,… 

    Is the restaurant open as of August 2020?

    The restaurant is open and is delicious!

    Dog friendly? Day fee?

    Yes! Dog friendly and you can pay for the day or overnight camping

    Why is it always so windy?

    It's because Jalama Beach is in a huge valley that is right on the coast. So there is bound to be some wind. Although, its not always windy, during certain parts of the day the wind usually dies down and it can be paradise.

    Does this campground have fresh water at the dump station for RV's that aren't camping at full hookup sites?

    Yes!

    Is it very windy in October? What's the weather like at that time?

    Its windy all year round, it's really hit or miss.. regardless of the wind it's a beautiful place and worth it. It depends if this summer goes longer or not... I would expect October to be in the mid-low 60s in the day and low 50's at night.

    Are they strict on the 2 car policy? Meeting girlfriends but have to leave a day early so I need to drive separate which means I'll be a 3rd vehicle. Read campsites are for 2 cars.…

    I've camped here several times, but its been quite a few years. I ended up with a 3rd car one time and they were all over it, and, despite my charm, was told we HAD to remove one of the cars. I ended up driving my car outside the campground and… 

    What's the weather like in mid January?

    Windy most days.

    What hours is the store/ food service open?

    Til 7pm, but kitchen closes at 630pm

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    Review Highlights - Jalama Beach County Park

    We camped up top and the view is amazing, beach not crowded and the jalama burger was all it was hyped up to be!

    Mentioned in 17 reviews

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    Ocean Beach Park

    Ocean Beach Park

    3.6
    (14 reviews)
    13.6 mi

    It is a good place to see SpaceX Falcon 9 lanuches during the morning or night! I only seen them…read morefrom my house in San Diego CA but when I move out in a few years I will go their to see it

    Local Serendipitous Take: Surprise, there is yet another attraction that kind of complements the…read moretrip to Surf Beach, which is Ocean Beach Park. For some reason, the little road that goes there called my name & I turned onto it. Low & behold, at the end of that road is this rather interesting Park, which even has a path under the railroad tracks. While you can have a nice walk on the beach at Surf Beach, during Snowy Plower nesting time you do not have beach access at Ocean Beach during Spring & Summer months....but all the more reason to savor what we have & come again. I am not sure where all the angst is coming from...or the vague pseudo-historical references, which I did try to confirm on Lompoc's Historical website. All they had, was a reference to a failed attempt at a development at a so-called "Aloha Beach", which predated anyone alive, & was more of a get rich scam in the pre-great-depression era, which was more centered at Surf Beach which used to have a grocery & even a post-office at one time. In any case, you have a nice estuary, a decent little playground, restrooms, little boardwalk with a bird observation area & even several BBQ's matched to solid picnic tables. It is more for locals, than for tourists. In fact, if you go out under the train tracks, you will then emerge on the oceanside & have a nice view. While the path to the ocean will be blocked certain months, you can always hike the sand toward Surf Beach parallel to the tracks & then get to the ocean...or simply drive there. Of course, since almost everywhere you look is owned or supervised by the military...it is after all our military & let them keep everyone safe, including the birds. I think according to the Lompoc's historical records, the military gradually accumulated close to 100K acres of land in the area. Most of it is still pristine & off limits to most. Between Ocean Park & Surf Beach, we felt we had a nice visit on the drive here, which is also quite nice for seeing all the wonderful farms. On the way back, I did turn down one of the many farm roads nearby to see if there were any random Farm Stands. Funny enough, we were then flagged down by another visiting car going the other way, who wanted directions to "The Flower Fields". They were a nice couple visiting their family up here for Mother's Day, but all I saw was some Lavender. Later, I looked it up, & indeed, Lompoc recommends that you cruise most of these farm roads in one's search for flower beds...which is kind of amusing.

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    Ocean Beach Park
    Ocean Beach Park
    Ocean Beach Park

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    Cachuma Lake Recreation Area & State Park

    Cachuma Lake Recreation Area & State Park

    3.4
    (331 reviews)
    31.2 mi

    Great place and staff are very friendly. Restrooms/showers are a huge plus and clean. Portal…read moretoilets are available, but such a strong odor, I didn't use them after the first time. Would have been nice to have electricity to the tent sites, but not really an issue. I'll be back.

    Renting a boat is a great way to explore Lake Cachuma! Cruising around the lake gave us a…read morecompletely different perspective, and it was a relaxing way to spend a couple of hours with family and friends. The boat itself was very easy to operate. Even if you've never driven one before, it's pretty straightforward--just steer and move forward or reverse. Before we left the dock, the staff thoroughly explained how to operate the boat and went over all the safety rules. The guys at the dock were friendly, patient, and very helpful, which made us feel comfortable before heading out. We rented a 12-person pontoon boat for $190 for 2 hours, plus a $15 fuel charge. A $750 credit card deposit is also required at check-in. The only downside was the rental process. We tried to rent a boat on Saturday around 11:00 AM, but were told there were no boats available. The staff simply told us to come back later but couldn't give us any estimate of when a boat might return. We came back again around 3:00 PM, and unfortunately there were still no boats available. Since rentals are by the hour, there should be an approximate return time for the boats so customers don't have to keep making unnecessary trips back to the rental office. Fortunately, we checked again on Sunday morning after checking out of our campsite and were finally able to rent a boat. Once we got on the water, everything went smoothly, and our entire group had an amazing time.

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    Sage
    Sage
    Sage
    Sage
    Marina

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    Marina
    Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara

    Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara

    3.6
    (216 reviews)
    27.3 mi

    We recently wrapped up another amazing camping stay with Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara and the amount…read moreof stuff we were able to do in a few days while still enjoying the laid back, coastal experience was beyond our expectations. From this location you're minutes away from the beach (across the highway with foot or car access), a short drive in to Solvang or DT Santa Barbara! And less than an hour to Ventura if you want to do a Channel Island day trip. The property offers convenient amenities like: Heated pool and hot tub, Nearby hiking trails, Views of Channel Islands and the Ynez Mountains, Concrete RV pads and grassy tent sites and a Market. Misc: The property was super clean and tidy. Two for two we arrived at our campsite and it looked like we were the 1st ones to have ever set foot in it. Immaculate! And of course the staff members are super friendly and helpful. Overall: If you're part of the RV bunch that enjoys a perfectly maintained property for your outing this is your spot. If you're a camper that enjoys setting up a tent and unwind...but also enjoys a hot shower and clean restrooms then by all means do consider Sun Outdoors your next get away spot.

    My favorite campground, hands down…read more It honestly bugs me that Yelp only has a one-to-five rating system, because sometimes five stars just isn't enough. This place deserves a 9.9 out of 10. Let me tell you about this hidden gem. First off, the name is almost misleading. Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara makes it sound like it's right in Santa Barbara, but it's actually about 15 minutes north of Goleta, in the El Capitan area -- and that name fits it much better. This place feels like a hidden piece of heaven. This is my third time being here. The first time was when I was in boarding school in eighth grade and we came here on a school trip. The second time was when I was married and stayed at the connected glamping resort. My ex-wife loved to travel, and we stayed at some very elegant places, but this was glamping at its finest. What I didn't realize back then is that the hotel and RV campground are connected by a little trail. You can walk from the RV side to the hotel area, visit their little convenience store, and continue down toward the beach. I'm currently in spot 818, all the way near the top, and it feels like I'm in the mountains. It's private, peaceful, and surrounded by nature. But just a short walk away, you have access to one of the most beautiful beaches around. It feels almost private. Absolutely stunning. For me, this RV campground is perfect. They have everything: a dog park where your dog can run off-leash, a kids' playground, hiking trails, a pool, a jacuzzi, clean and beautiful bathrooms, and well-kept grounds. Everything is maintained extremely well. The staff is also outstanding. Kathy runs the place, and she clearly runs a tight ship. Every staff member I've dealt with has been wonderful. They're never in your way, but they're always there when you need them. That's rare. Before coming here, I stayed at a very nice RV park in Malibu. Was it nice? Sure. You could see the ocean. But it felt more like being in a parking lot. Here, I feel like I'm actually camping in the woods. Then you walk a little ways and suddenly you're at this incredible beach. I started RV life in February, and this is my fourth place so far. To me, this is heaven on earth. I've been here for a month, and I have to leave on the 8th because a school rented out the whole property and everyone has to clear out. Honestly, I'm sad to leave. But it's probably for the best, because I'm supposed to be exploring the coast -- and if I didn't have to leave, I might never go. As Arnold Schwarzenegger would say: I'll be back. Thank you to Kathy and everyone at Sun Outdoors/El Capitan for making my stay so comfortable and wonderful. I rarely write reviews unless a place is either the absolute best or disturbingly bad. This place is something very special. If you ever get the chance to stay here, take it.

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    Sun outdoors RV resort
    Sun outdoors RV resort
    Easy peasy hike trail.
    Easy peasy hike trail.
    There's a park next to the tent and RV encampment. My kids had a great time.

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    There's a park next to the tent and RV encampment. My kids had a great time.

    Jalama Beach County Park - campgrounds - Updated August 2026

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