Gaviota Campground

Star4.17
379 reviews
Gaviota State Park, 33 miles west of Santa Barbara, off U.S. Highway 101
Scenic Views

Quick Facts

23 ft

Price

$10 - $45/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

40 campsites

Season

Closed annually from...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Opens California State Parks site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

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January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Gaviota Campground
$10.00 - $45.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard campsite rates are $45 per night for up to 8 guests, while hike/bike sites cost $10 per night. An additional reservation fee of $8.25...
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Standard Site Fee$45.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$10.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
805-968-1033info@ECRGplanupdate.com
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What Campers Say

4.17

Satisfactory

Based on 379 reviews

371 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanshowersrestrooms

"Reviews for Gaviota Campground are mixed, with positive highlights about the beautiful beach, clean facilities, and helpful staff. Complaints focus predominantly on the extreme wind conditions that challenge tent camping and sometimes cause safety concerns with campfires and flying sand. RV campers tend to have better experiences than tent campers."

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Campground Map

Gaviota State Park, 33 miles west of Santa Barbara, off U.S. Highway 101

Gaviota Campground

Gaviota State Park, 33 miles west of Santa Barbara, off U.S. Highway 101

Driving directionsFrom U.S. Highway 101, travel 33 miles west of Santa Barbara to reach Gaviota State Park. The campground is located off the main highway.
The campground is accessible via paved roads directly from Highway 101. Seasonal closures due to winter flooding may occur.
Nearby places
Santa Barbara (33 miles, approximately 40 minutes)
Lompoc (approx. 25 miles)
Santa Ynez (approx. 30 miles)
Nearby supplies
Camping supplies, groceries, and fuel can likely be found in Santa Barbara, 33 miles away. A small camp store onsite operates Friday to Monday offering basic goods and trinkets.

Best Time to Camp at Gaviota Campground

Nature's drama unfolds nightly at Gaviota, where powerful coastal winds sweep through camp with gusts that can surpass 50 mph, creating a symphony of rustling trees and flapping tent fabric. Yet each dawn brings transformation—the tempest yields to golden mornings of crystalline calm, with sunshine painting the landscape in warm hues perfect for beachcombing and exploration.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Open in summer with lifeguarded beaches; highly visited though winds persist afternoons/nights.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open through Sept; visitors report good September trips but wind remains an issue; closed Oct 1.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Open Apr–May with beach access; recurring strong coastal winds can affect comfort.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed annually Oct 1–Apr 1; winter visits not possible.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Peak season dates not explicitly provided in sources.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Closed annually from October 1 through April 1.
  • Current Alerts: Pier remains closed due to storm damage. Seasonal closures from October to April.

About Gaviota Campground

Tucked away along California's rugged coastline, Gaviota Campground offers an intimate escape where the rhythmic crash of Pacific waves mingles with whispers of coastal wind. This hidden gem combines the tranquility of a secluded beach with adventures waiting on nearby hiking trails and the restorative allure of natural hot springs just a trek away.
Gaviota Campground offers tent and RV camping sites, with limited space and shade. Group camping and cabin lodging are not available.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum stay of 15 consecutive nights.

Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Flush toilets
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Lodging and accommodations

Activities you can enjoy

Gaviota Campground offers a variety of activities, including hiking, swimming, fishing, and beach-related activities. The proximity to the beach is highly praised in user reviews, though the strong wind conditions impact camping experiences. Wildlife viewing is possible with sightings of bunnies, squirrels, and quail noted by visitors.
HikingA steep trail leads hikers to upland portions of the park, but accessible details about trail lengths or difficulty levels are missing. One user review mentioned hiking to nearby wind caves as an enjoyable activity for kids.
FishingFishing is available off the beach and pier. One reviewer stated, "The fishing is amazing; I caught 4 nice-sized surf perch in about an hour." The pier is currently closed due to storm damage.
SwimmingSwimming is available, with lifeguards present on the beach. User reviews highlight beautiful and calm water, though they note occasional sightings of sharks, as mentioned by a lifeguard.
BoatingBoating activities are supported by pier access, though the pier is closed due to damage. Surfers use a boat hoist for accessing the Santa Barbara Channel.
Wildlife viewingWildlife such as bunnies, squirrels, and quail are commonly seen around the campground. One user review mentioned ticks near the marsh area.
Beach activitiesBeach activities are a highlight, including walking along the shoreline and sunbathing. One review noted, "The beach is small, but you owe it to yourself to walk south on a low tide. You will be the only footprints for over 2 miles."
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSignificant wind hazards may impact tent camping, with gusts exceeding 50 mph. Sand and dust can pose additional discomfort during high winds.
Active AlertsPier remains closed due to storm damage. Seasonal closures from October to April.

Weather at Gaviota Campground

Reviews

4.2
379 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Gaviota Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews for Gaviota Campground are mixed, with positive highlights about the beautiful beach, clean facilities, and helpful staff. Complaints focus predominantly on the extreme wind conditions that challenge tent camping and sometimes cause safety concerns with campfires and flying sand. RV campers tend to have better experiences than tent campers.
Review Summaries
Based on 379 reviews

What Campers Love

Many visitors praise the stunning views, proximity to the beach, and overall cleanliness of the campground. Staff and camp hosts are repeatedly described as helpful and friendly. Facilities such as...
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Based on 379 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative feedback is largely centered on the extreme wind conditions, which can damage tents and create discomfort for campers. Additionally, users note that campsites are small and lack privacy, and...
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Based on 379 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend checking the wind forecast before coming and bringing sturdy tents with long stakes, extra padding for sleeping, and quarters for the showers. RV camping is strongly preferred over...
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Based on 379 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Wind conditions are a recurring theme in reviews across all seasons. While mornings are calm, afternoons and nights can bring winds of up to 60 mph. Winter closures and flooding also limit...
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Based on 379 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Love this hidden gem. So peaceful and beautiful." - Robert Prescott. "It gets windy at night, so be sure to have stakes." - Chris topher Soto. "Heavy objects on the perimeter of each tent to avoid...
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Based on 379 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Best campsites are listed as numbers 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 25, 29, 31, 35, 38, and 39. Site #28 is described as being impossible for tent camping due to wind conditions.
Based on 379 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible restrooms, showers, and picnic areas are appreciated by users. One review mentioned the availability of a beach wheelchair that can be reserved through the camp host at site #38.
Based on 379 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed in the campground and day-use areas but are not permitted on the beach. One reviewer mentioned the presence of foxtails at campsite #30 that could be troublesome for pets.
Based on 379 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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