Summary
- Introduction to Santa Barbara’s Camping Scene
- Planning Ahead for State Park Reservations
- Campsite Recommendations and RV Rentals
- Overview of Campgrounds Map
The California coastline takes a turn from its normal north-south orientation near Santa Barbara, running east-west for about 100 miles. This unique geography creates a “banana belt” climate, making the Santa Barbara area one of the most pleasant destinations in the state throughout the year.
Some Santa Barbara camping spots are positioned on the coast, with several right on the beach. The proximity is so close that you can step out of your door into the sand.
Planning Ahead
The reservations process for California’s state parks can be complex and usually requires advance planning. While it is technically possible to reserve a spot at any state park as little as two days ahead, finding availability during peak seasons demands even more foresight. If you have your sights set on a big trip in mid-summer, you should ideally be securing your reservations six months or more in advance.
Campgrounds and RV Parks
- Cachuma Lake: Offers tent, trailer, and RV camping with numerous campsites, some featuring full hookups. Additionally, they have several yurts available for rent, situated north of Santa Barbara.
- Carpinteria State Beach: Located twelve miles south of Santa Barbara, this site provides a mile of beach ideal for swimming, surf fishing, and tide pool exploration.
- El Capitan Canyon: Offers a glamping experience with tent cabins nestled among oak and sycamore trees, featuring real beds and kitchenettes.
- El Capitan State Beach: Positioned off US Hwy 101, about seventeen miles west of Santa Barbara.
- Jalama Beach: Located an hour’s drive north of Santa Barbara, this remote beach offers seclusion along with access to nearby amenities.
- Ocean Mesa: This RV camping site is adjacent to El Capitan Canyon.
- Rancho Oso: Ideal for horse lovers, offering both personal and rental horse riding experiences, situated 30 minutes from the highway and downtown Santa Barbara.
- Refugio State Beach: Just off US Hwy 101, located 20 miles west of Santa Barbara.
- Sunrise RV Park: Conveniently located near downtown and beaches, offering easy access to grocery stores and bus lines, situated just off the highway between Santa Barbara and Montecito.
For those interested in more basic options, you can explore Allstay’s Walmart Overnight Parking Locator to find nearby stores allowing overnight stays in their parking lots, which are suitable for self-contained RV camping.
RV Rentals
If you’re eager to camp near Santa Barbara but do not possess your own vehicle, renting an RV is a viable solution. Numerous services allow you to rent a vehicle and can even set it up for you:
- Weekend Haul Rentals: Provides a selection of travel trailers for rent, located in Ventura, just south of Santa Barbara.
- 101 RV Rentals: Offers travel trailers available for pickup or can deliver and set them up at various state parks including Ocean Mesa and El Capitan.
Campgrounds Map
The provided map illustrates the scale, with a stretch of about 80 miles from top to bottom. For a more detailed view, you can access the full map on Google Maps to zoom in and obtain driving directions.
