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    Jalama Beach County Park

    4.2 (172 reviews)

    Jalama Beach County Park Photos

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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

    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!

    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.

    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!

    Kathleen Q.

    One of the hidden gems in the area. I only say that because when we visited, there weren't many people there. Jalama Park has a beautiful mountains and a beautiful beach. There's also enough coastline if you're interested in a long hike. Beware of tar that's on the sand / rocks, it could stick on your shoes or belongings.

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

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    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,… Read more

    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… Read more

    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.

    Photos
    Ocean Beach Park
    Ocean Beach Park
    Ocean Beach Park

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    Pirate's Cove

    Pirate's Cove

    4.2
    (107 reviews)
    47.5 mi

    Ended up taking the long route to Pirate's Cove (parked near homes and took the trail) which we…read morelater found out is the Shell Beach Bluff Trail. We enjoyed this scenic trail, which had multi-million dollar homes to our right, and the beautiful ocean to our left; and a somewhat steep incline up to the dirt parking lot and Cave Landing trailhead. Good thing the weather was perfect and there was a lovely breeze; otherwise I would've stopped walking and demanded to go back to the car. Once we got to the trail, it was a fairly easy short walk to get to the cave. After taking in the stunning views from the cave, we trekked to the cove. Be cautious going down, as it's a steep dirt path and a couple flights of stairs. Also note that clothing is optional, and you may run into people in their birthday suits on this secluded beach.

    While visiting SLO, I was looking for an ocean hike to complete and found this hike on All Trails…read moreso I went for it. I took the long way traversing through a million dollar neighborhood of gorgeous homes lining the street. Once I was in the dirt I could see the cove from above. The beach is beautiful and not crowded. Of course, clothing is optional but I didn't come for the beach. I came to see the cove. You have to hike down to the cove as it sits on the water, but no biggie. Hiking back up and out for some may be challenging for some so just go at your own pace. When I arrived there was a guy playing a guitar so that was nice, not too many peeps around which allowed me to take a couple of pics. The cove itself is picturesque but the graffiti sucks!! Why must people have to paint on rocks in nature?? I just don't get it!! Go paint on abandoned buildings etc. I stayed for a few minutes then I walked out on the rocks and took in the views of the mighty Pacific Ocean. So gorgeous! I could have sat there all day. You can also access this cove and beach by driving directly to it and then following the path down to it, but I preferred the mini hike instead. Remember to Leave No Trace always.

    Photos
    Pirates Cove Beach in Avila.
    Pirates Cove Beach in Avila.
    Pirate's Cove
    Pirate's Cove

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    Gaviota State Park

    Gaviota State Park

    3.1
    (131 reviews)
    15.5 mi

    Didn't explore the tide pools, wind caves, hiking trails, or natural hot springs (yet), or use one…read moreof the 41 campsites, but I loved the tall train trestle looking over the sandy, secluded beach, which can be seen in the excellent movies Sideways and 20th Century Women. Gaviota allegedly takes its name from Spanish soldiers who killed a seagull while camping there in 1769, though that story might be for the birds. Of the 2000 acres of backcountry, the steep Gaviota Peak Fire Road (2.5 miles from entrance) lleads to small sulfur springs, open to the public. Overlook Fire Road is a three mile round trip up a hill for a view of the Channel Islands. It's called Overlook because mountain lions were will overlook you with napkins stuffed into the collar holding knives and forks.

    This is just for the campground, not the rest of the park. Stayed here for 1 night while traveling…read morefrom NorCal to SoCal and wanted a little break. It's not typical of campgrounds I'm used to (like in Tahoe) where the sites are separate and there is some level of privacy. This is literally just a parking lot and there's some dirt behind the parking spot for you to pitch a tent. I can't really knock it because that's often typical of beach campgrounds. But just not my style. On the positive, it's like a 2 minute walk to the beach and it's nice to be next to the ocean. It does get a bit windy, so be aware of that. As an en route campground it's definitely not worth the $50 unless you need to shower. Probably should have just slept at a nearby vista point. But I can see it being great for families with kids who want to have beach time and then just walk back to the campsite.

    Photos
    The trails are windy AND windy.
    The trails are windy AND windy.
    Gaviota State Park
    Gaviota State Park

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    One Thousand Steps Beach

    One Thousand Steps Beach

    4.4
    (59 reviews)
    45.6 mi

    If you have the time and get lucky with parking, then stop by for a carefree stroll along the…read morecoastline. The stairway heading down from the neighborhood to the beach gives you the chance to carefully soak in the beauty of the landscape. As others have mentioned, no there aren't a thousand steps. Whoever named this place as such sure liked rounding up, like way up. We came by around low tide which washed up a lot of unique shellfish as well as the world's debris. This meant on a sunny day you may very be greeted with the pleasant aroma of the sea's breeze and the very next moment a waft of sundried plastic. That's the reality of the ocean's health. Still, it's a peaceful slice of nature worth visiting.

    About two miles from Stearns Wharf, we headed over in hopes that it would be low tide. We were…read morelucky to find a parking spot on a tiny dead end residential street where the steps start. Not quite one thousand steps, but still a good workout with 157 steps. We headed down the steps, some were covered in water and mud. It was pretty much low tide when we arrived at 1pm, which made for a beautiful walk. I thought this beach was secluded. However, a half mile into our walk, we came across another set of stairs, Shoreline Steps. These steps will take you from Shoreline park to the beach. There was a good amount of people walking and we saw a few dogs as well. If you're looking for a walk along the shore, this is a great spot. Just remember parking near One Thousand Steps can be very limited.

    Photos
    One Thousand Steps Beach
    One Thousand Steps Beach
    Going down

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    Going down

    Jalama Beach County Park - campgrounds - Updated July 2026

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