El Capitan State Beach Campground

Star4.44
187 reviews
El Capitán State Beach, Goleta, CA 93117

Quick Facts

105 ft

Price

$45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

130 campsites

Season

Currently open until...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Opens California State Parks site

Official Website
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
El Capitan State Beach Campground
$45.00 - $45.00 / night
Campsite Fees
$45 per night for standard campsites. An additional $8.25 reservation fee applies. Fees for group sites and hike/bike sites are not specified.
Standard Site Fee$45.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Reserve California
Provider
(800) 777-0369ChannelCoastInfo@Parks.Ca.Gov
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.44

Recommended

Based on 187 reviews

131 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanshowersspacious

Some mention

noisetrain

"User reviews highlight the campground's scenic views, proximity to the beach, and recreational amenities. While most visitors praise the location and overall experience, some note the outdated facilities and occasional noise from nearby traffic and trains."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

El Capitán State Beach, Goleta, CA 93117

El Capitan State Beach Campground

El Capitán State Beach, Goleta, CA 93117

Driving directionsFrom Hwy 101, take Exit 117 for El Capitán State Beach and proceed south toward the ocean and the park entrance.
Accessible via Hwy 101; roads are paved. Construction closures are expected starting January 2025, impacting entrance road and camping accessibility.
Nearby places
Santa Barbara (17 miles, approximately 20 minutes), Goleta (8 miles, approximately 10 minutes).
Nearby supplies
Basic supplies and camping items available at the park's camp store. Additional supplies in Goleta, approximately 8 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at El Capitan State Beach Campground

El Capitán's climate reads like a love letter to coastal California living. Summer mornings arrive wrapped in mystical fog that burns away to reveal azure skies, while late summer and fall deliver those coveted golden days that make the coastline glow. Winter brings dramatic storm displays that transform the Pacific into a churning spectacle, followed by crystalline days so clear you can trace the Channel Islands on the horizon. Each season paints the landscape with its own distinctive palette.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer has cool foggy mornings that burn off; busy but pleasant for beach and trails.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 5% in CA

Late summer and fall are sunnier and warmer; surfers favor west swells in fall.

Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring likely mild with riparian blooms and good beach/trail access for visitors.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.5 / 5
Top 23% in CA

Winter attracts surfers with swells but is cooler; note upcoming construction closures in Jan.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Not explicitly stated, but summer and fall are suggested as the warmest and busiest seasons.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Currently open until November 19, 2024 for reservations. From January 2025, camping will cease due to construction until January 2026.
  • Current Alerts: Camping will be closed starting January 2025 for road and facility improvements.

About El Capitan State Beach Campground

Perched dramatically on coastal bluffs where the mountains meet the sea, El Capitán State Beach Campground offers an enchanting escape into California's central coast wilderness. Here, ancient sycamores and sprawling oaks frame your view of the endless Pacific, while below, a tapestry of sandy coves and mysterious tidepools awaits exploration. The rhythmic crash of waves provides nature's soundtrack as you settle into this coastal paradise where forest and ocean converge.
El Capitan State Beach Campground offers a variety of camping options, including family sites, group sites, hike-and-bike sites, and RV accommodations.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum stay of 7 consecutive nights.

Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Flush toilets
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Camp Store

Activities you can enjoy

El Capitan State Beach offers a wide range of recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, surfing, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The campground also features a campfire center for family programs and organized events.
HikingThe park features several trails, including a 0.6-mile Nature Trail offering coastal views and a riparian corridor, and the Bill Wallace Trail, which spans over ten miles with a 1,000-foot elevation gain. "Enjoy mature sycamore trees on the nature trails," writes one reviewer.
FishingFishing is permitted, and the beach is noted for its rocky tidepools and diverse aquatic life. Specific types of fish commonly caught are not detailed.
SwimmingSwimming is available in designated beach areas. "The beach is kid-friendly as waves were small," a user mentions. However, dogs are not allowed on the beach itself.
BikingThe bluff-top bike trail provides scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. Though coastal erosion has closed parts of the trail, accessible sections remain available for bikers.
BoatingBoating opportunities are available, although explicit details on docking facilities or types of boats allowed are not provided.
Wildlife viewingThe park's lush coastal woodland features sycamores and oaks that attract diverse wildlife, including band-tailed pigeons, scrub jays, mule deer, and monarch butterflies in the fall. "Look for clusters of reddish-brown wings with black veins," advises an observer.
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsCliffs are unstable and dangerous. Beach sand contains naturally occurring tar. Poison oak is prevalent in some areas.
Active AlertsCamping will be closed starting January 2025 for road and facility improvements.

Weather at El Capitan State Beach Campground

Reviews

4.4
187 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
El Capitan State Beach Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the campground's scenic views, proximity to the beach, and recreational amenities. While most visitors praise the location and overall experience, some note the outdated facilities and occasional noise from nearby traffic and trains.
Review Summaries
Based on 187 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include ocean-view campsites, clean showers, and diverse recreational activities. "Lovely spacious campground with beautiful views," writes a reviewer. Another adds, "We camped in...
Show more
Based on 187 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints involve outdated restroom and shower facilities, occasional noise from nearby highways and trains, and the lack of RV dump stations. "Restrooms could be cleaner," notes a user,...
Show more
Based on 187 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Recommendations advise campers to bring quarters for showers, baby wipes for tar removal, and coconut oil for cleaning feet. "Campsites 120's and mid 80's have the shortest walk to the beach," writes...
Show more
Based on 187 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Fall and winter seasons attract surfers due to west swell conditions, while summer months bring cool fog. Late summer and fall are described as sunny and warm.
Based on 187 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Bring quarters for the hot showers." "Naturally occurring tar in the sand, pack baby wipes." "Very beautiful site and when you are going to fall asleep you hear the sound of the beach waves."...
Show more
Based on 187 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Best campsites include 7, 8, 16, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 39, 40, 42, 52, 53, 70, 71, 72, 73, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88, 92, 93, 94, 96, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, 108, 115, 116, 118, 120, 121, 124, 126,...
Show more
Based on 187 reviews

Accessibility Features

Positive reviews highlight accessible features such as a combination restroom/shower building, accessible group camps, and picnic facilities near the beach.
Based on 187 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed on leashes in campsites and day-use areas but are prohibited on the beach itself. "Awesome camping experience with my dog," writes a reviewer.
Based on 187 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to El Capitan State Beach Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in California

Campgrounds
El Capitan SB
El Capitan State Beach Campground