El Capitan State Beach, located 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara, offers day-use and overnight camping. Reservations for camping can be made up to six months in advance.
Most campsites have shade from oak and sycamore trees, and some even offer beautiful cliff-top views.
El Capitan Beach is a sandy beach with tide pools at the northern and southern ends. Visitors can enjoy various activities such as swimming, fishing, surfing, picnicking, and camping. A stairway is available to provide access from the bluffs to the beach area. Additionally, a bike trail connects the park with Refugio State Beach, located 2.5 miles away.
Beach, bluff, and bike trails link El Capitan and Refugio state beaches. Depending on the tide, you can usually travel up-coast along El Capitan Beach as far as Coral Canyon Beach. Then, you can join the bluff trails or the bike path, which is also open to hikers, to balance the trip to Refugio Beach.
El Capitan Beach is ideal for families seeking a beach camping experience or a day trip away from the city. The beach features sandy shores, rocky tidepools, scenic sycamore, and oak trees lining El Capitan Creek. Visitors can enjoy various activities such as swimming, fishing, surfing, picnicking, and camping. Access to the beach area is provided through a stairway that leads down from the bluffs.
El Capitan State Beach Beach Camping
The campground has 133 campsites. 118 standard, 9 RV only, 3 group standard, and 3 group tent. Even though they are relatively close together, most campsites have plenty of trees and offer some privacy. The most sought-after sites near the beach are 99 – 109, 85 -82, and 29 – 44. Camps at the back of the park will get freeway noise, plus the occasional sound of a train.
Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am. Check-out time is noon. Each campsite can have up to eight people. All the camps have fire pits and tables. Campground Reservations should be made in advance for weekends and holidays. (up to 6 months in advance)
On the other side of Highway 101 is another option for camping, El Capitan Canyon Resort. Glamping (Glamorous Camping) is offered at the resort and RV camping.
El Capitan State Beach is located on Highway 101, 24 miles northwest of Santa Barbara. El Capitan State Beach10 Refugio Beach Rd. • Goleta, California.
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