How much does camping cost at Jalama Beach?

Camping fees at Jalama Beach range from $35-$250/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Jalama Beach first-come first-served or reservation?

Jalama Beach accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Jalama Beach before I book?

Yes! Jalama Beach has 12 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Jalama Beach?

Jalama Beach is open April 1 - September 30. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Jalama Beach?

Yes, Jalama Beach has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Is there cell service at Jalama Beach?

Cell phone service at Jalama Beach is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Jalama Beach have?

Jalama Beach has 107 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Jalama Beach?

Yes, pets are allowed at Jalama Beach. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Jalama Beach?

Jalama Beach offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed, Camp Store. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Jalama Beach?

Popular activities at Jalama Beach include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing, Beach Activities. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Jalama Beach

4.70

143 reviews

9991 Jalama Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436

Top 3% in CASummer

B+Report Card

Romantic GetawayScenic ViewsPeace & Quiet

Quick Facts

5 ft

Price

$35 - $250/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

107 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsPull-ThroughShowersWiFi

Book on Santa Barbara County Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

5 ft

Price

$35 - $250/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

107 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsPull-ThroughShowersWiFi

Book on Santa Barbara County Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Jalama Beach

$35.00 - $250.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Campsites and cabins available; visitor reports mention a day-use fee (approximately $10) and on-site services. Electrical hookups available at 31...

Standard Site Fee$40.00

Hookup Site Fee$55.00

Premium Site Fee$55.00

Group Site Fee$275.00

Get Notified When Available

This campground gets 2 cancellations/wk on average — set an alert, we'll notify you instantly.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

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Share this campground

Santa Barbara County Parks

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

9991 Jalama Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436

Jalama Beach

9991 Jalama Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436

Nearby supplies

Jalama Beach Store & Grill (on-site)

Weather at Jalama Beach

Best Time to Camp at Jalama Beach

Summer brings the most reliable conditions: lifeguards on duty, the store and grill fully open, and long daylight for fishing and beach hikes. Daytime highs run mid-60s to low-70s°F, nights in the 50s, with steady coastal winds that require layers even in July. Swimming and surfing peak in summer but strong surf and rip currents demand caution. Off-season means fewer crowds and no lifeguards but the same bracing wind and rough conditions. Waitlists can stretch three to four days during peak season (June through Labor Day).

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

5.0 / 5

Top 3% in CA

Best season: lifeguards on duty, store/grill fully open, most reliable conditions.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 1 - September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round; lifeguards present in summer (peak season).

About Jalama Beach

Jalama Beach sits at the end of a winding 14.5-mile drive down Jalama Road, putting 107 oceanfront campsites on one of the most secluded stretches of the Santa Barbara County coast. Sites range from $35 to $250 per night and include tent spots, RV hookups (31 sites have electric), group areas, and cabins with kitchenettes. The on-site store and grill serves the Jalama burgers that regulars drive an hour for.

Developed oceanfront campground with 107 campsites, a mix of electric sites, group areas, and on-site cabins available for lodging.

Historical Significance

Point Conception Lighthouse, one of the first built on the West Coast, stands ten miles north via the De Anza trail, a round-trip hike that traces the route of the 1775–76 Spanish expedition.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the most reliable conditions: lifeguards on duty, the store and grill fully open, and long daylight for fishing and beach hikes. Daytime highs run mid-60s to low-70s°F, nights in the 50s, with steady coastal winds that require layers even in July. Swimming and surfing peak in summer but strong surf and rip currents demand caution. Off-season means fewer crowds and no lifeguards but the same bracing wind and rough conditions. Waitlists can stretch three to four days during peak season (June through Labor Day).

Natural Features and SceneryEvery campsite overlooks the Pacific or sits steps from the sand at just 5 feet elevation. Coastal bluffs frame the beach to the north and south. At low tide you can walk a mile north to explore sea caves carved into the rock. The surf here is powerful and rough year-round. Winds of 10–20+ mph are the norm, keeping the air cool and the waves loud. Oil and tar wash up on the sand occasionally, a reminder of the natural seeps offshore.

Geological RegionCoastal California / Pacific coastline (beach and coastal bluffs)

Scenic ViewsOcean and beachfront views from campsites and cabins; many sites provide direct sight and sound of the surf.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

3:00 PM

Check-out

1:00 PM

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation Platformshttps://reservations.sbparks.org/ (Santa Barbara County Parks reservation system; UseDirect platform commonly used)

Total Campsites107 campsites

Best CampsitesLower beachfront sites offer flat ground and direct ocean access. The 31 electric sites are marked with yellow dots on the park map. Group campers book Abalone Point (Area C) or Starfish Cove (Area D). Arrive before 3 p.m. during peak season and add your name to the waitlist if full.

Need help booking Jalama Beach?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Restrooms with hot showers, potable water fill, 31 electrical hookup sites, a dump station, cabins with electricity and full bathrooms/kitchenettes, on-site store/grill and playground. Limited/spotty cell coverage and low-bandwidth guest Wi‑Fi reported.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

WiFi

Flush toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Electric hookups60 of 228 sites (26%)

Water hookups30 of 228 sites (13%)

12 pull-through sites

Activities you can enjoy

Oceanfront activities including surfing, beachcombing, whale-watching, shore fishing, hiking to nearby coastal features, seaside picnics and a playground for children.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Wildlife viewing

Beach activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHigh winds, rough surf and strong ocean conditions; reports of oil/tar washing up on shore. Swimming and surfing are at your own risk.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Jalama Beach

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

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From Booking Sources

4.7

143 reviews

Top-Rated

Jalama Beach is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Highly rated for its secluded oceanfront setting, clean facilities, and the on-site Jalama store/grill; common complaints are strong winds, rough surf, limited shade, occasional oil on the beach, spotty cell service, and long waitlists in summer.

Review Summaries

Based on 143 reviews

What Campers Love

Oceanfront campsites and cabins with direct beach access, clean restrooms and hot showers, scenic drive, and the popular Jalama burgers at the on-site store/grill.

Based on 143 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Jalama Beach

$35.00 - $250.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Campsites and cabins available; visitor reports mention a day-use fee (approximately $10) and on-site services. Electrical hookups available at 31...

Standard Site Fee$40.00

Hookup Site Fee$55.00

Premium Site Fee$55.00

Group Site Fee$275.00

Get Notified When Available

This campground gets 2 cancellations/wk on average — set an alert, we'll notify you instantly.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Santa Barbara County Parks

Provider

Go if

Coastal campers who want waves outside their tent door and don't mind wind will find the electric hookup sites and hot showers make it comfortable; low-tide sea cave walks north of camp are a real bonus.

Skip if

Peak-season waitlists stretch three to four days, shade is nearly nonexistent, oil and tar wash up on the sand regularly, and cell service is too spotty for anyone who needs to stay connected.

Nearby Campgrounds

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

Gaviota Campground sits on California's Central Coast, where 40 campsites occupy a narrow strip between Pacific cliffs and Highway 101. The beach is steps away, clean facilities draw consistent praise, and natural hot springs lie within hiking distance. Fees run $10-$45 per night. The wind is relentless. Afternoon gusts regularly exceed 50 mph, and tent campers report damaged gear and sleepless nights. RVs handle it better.

$10.00 - $45.00 / night

Less Visited

3.2

(25)

George Hatfield Group Campground

4394 North Kelly Road Hilmar, CA 95324

George Hatfield Group Campground sits along the Merced River in California's San Joaquin Valley, offering 50 sites for tent, RV, and group camping. Designed primarily for gatherings of up to 50 people, the campground features electric and water hookups, vault toilets, and access to river activities. Fees range from $20 to $150 per night. While the riverside setting attracts families for fishing and swimming, reviews frequently mention mosquito problems, noise from other campers, and maintenance issues.

$20.00 - $150.00 / night

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Campgrounds

Jalama Beach

B+

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 80% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 117 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade A.Scenery
Grade A-.Facilities
Grade A-.Value

Watch-outs

Grade C-.Bugs & weather
Grade C-.Booking
Grade C.Getting there

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how California grades overall