El Capitan State Beach Campground

El Capitan State Beach, Santa Barbara County, California
El Capitan State Beach, Santa Barbara County, California

El Capitan State Beach
Campground

Santa Barbara County


El Capitan State Beach Campground

El Capitan State Beach Campground is located off Highway 101, 17 miles west of Santa Barbara. The campsites at El Capitan Beach are well spaced out among the trees on bluffs overlooking the beach. These beautiful campsites are among the nicest along the California coast. A bike trail leads west along the coast connecting El Capitan with Refugio Beach. Campers at El Capitan enjoy beach combing, fishing, surfing, picnicking, swimming, and sun bathing.

El Capitan State Beach Campground has 119 standard campsites which can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. Nine other campsites are limited to RVs or trailers only. El Capitan State Beach also has 5 Group Camps.

Shop Amazon: Camping Essentials



El Capitan State Beach Campground Basics
Location: Highway 101, 17 miles west of Santa Barbara
Camping Season: Open year-round
Number of Sites: 128
Max. People per Site: 8 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: Fees cover 1 vehicle and 1 legal tow, fee per night for additional vehicles
Pets: On leash, always attended
Operated by California State Parks
El Capitan State Beach Information: (805) 968-1033

Reservations at El Capitan State Beach Campground
Reservations available Reservations are available year-round up to 6 months in advance of your arrival date.
Maximum Vehicle Length: 42 feet
Accessible Sites: #8, 9, 20, 26, 33, 38, 39, 40, 80
Fees: Peak season (March - November) - $45
Premium sites peak season - $55
Hike & Bike site $10
Online Reservations at ReserveCalifornia: El Capitan State Beach Campground Reservations
or call (800) 444-PARK (7275) between 8 AM and 6 PM
Check-in, Check-out: 2:00 PM, Noon

El Capitan Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, fire ring with grill; no hook-ups
Campground: Restrooms with flush toilets, amphitheater, store
Showers: Yes
Dump Station: No
Campground Map: El Capitan State Beach Campground Map
Attractions at El Capitan State Beach Campground: Enjoy the beach only steps from your camp. Follow hiking trails in the area. Try surfing or surf fishing. Experienced kayakers explore the coast. Cycle along the bike trail. Take the 3-mile Aniso Trail from Refugio to El Capitan Beach. Visit the Goleta Butterfly Grove. Hike through Nojoqui Falls Park.



El Capitan State Beach, CA

El Capitan State Beach

El Capitan Beach Group Campsites

El Capitan State Beach has 5 group sites. Two of the group sites are standard campgrounds which will accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. The other 3 group sites are tent-only sites.

Reservations at ReserveCalifornia: El Capitan State Beach Group Campsite Reservations

El Capitan State Beach Group Sites
1No tents allowed at Bobcat Group Campsite
Always confirm campsite configuration and fees with the reservation website since campgrounds are sometimes reconfigured or specifications changed.
Campground Area Max. # of People Max. # of Vehicles Fee per Night
Anza 32 people 8 Vehicles $235
Portola 40 people 10 Vehicles $285
Ortega Tent Only 50 people 10 Vehicles $225
Cabrillo Tent Only 60 people 15 Vehicles $320
Drake Tent Only 60 people 15 Vehicles $320




Haystack Rock, Oregon.

Haystack Rock


General Camping Information

Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.

In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.


El Capitan State Beach Campground, CA

El Capitan State Beach Campground

Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties Beach and Lake Attractions

Visitors to the Santa Barbara and Ventura counties coast have so many wonderful places to explore. Those who camp at El Capitan State Beach Campground are enjoying one of the nicest camping destinations in the area. All up and down the coast are places to investigate and things to do.

  • Hike along self-guided nature trail on El Capitan Point or the Bill Wallace Trail leading up El Capitan Creek.
  • Surf the point at El Capitan Beach, Mondos, or Rincon Point.
  • Spend the afternoon kiteboarding at Leadbetter Beach.
  • Fish for monster bass at Lake Casitas.
  • Enjoy the calm waters of beautiful Cachuma Lake.
  • Experience excellent pier fishing off the Gaviota Pier.
  • Take to the air hang gliding at Douglas Preserve near Arroyo Burro Beach.
  • View the Harbor Seals near Carpinteria Beach.
  • Watch some exciting and competitive beach volleyball at East Beach.
  • Kayak along the Santa Barbara coast.
  • Explore Channel Islands Harbor where you can rent a boat or take a cruise out to the Channel Islands.
  • Visit the Flight 261 Memorial Sundial at Hueneme Beach.


Key El Capitan State Beach Campground Regulations

  1. Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under adult supervision at all times. Dogs must be confined to a vehicle or tent at night.
  2. Quiet Hours extend from 10 PM to 6 AM.
  3. Voices, radios, and other sound-producing devices must not be audible beyond your immediate campsite at any time of day or night.
  4. Generators may only be operated from 10 AM to 8 PM, as needed.
  5. Curfew: All visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian past 8:30 PM.

    Check El Capitan State Beach for any campground updates.