4.26149 reviewsPrice
$45 - $350/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
66 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
$45 - $350/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
66 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →Refugio State Beach Campground
10 Refugio Beach Road, Goleta, CA 93117
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →Families after easy beach access will find the calm cove ideal for young swimmers, and fall is the sweet spot: 68-80F days, lighter wind, and fewer neighbors than summer. Sites #34 and #62 offer the most breathing room; book them the moment the reservation window opens at parks.c
Closely packed sites with minimal screening between neighbors mean the friction between campers here runs higher than at most coastal parks, and reviews bear that out with complaints about noise and crowding. Add freeway and train noise after 10 p.m., coin showers, and no hookups
Camper Report Card
Rated higher than 30% of graded campgrounds
Graded on what 127 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
Watch-outs
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.
Refugio State Beach Campground appears in our curated guides. Explore more top-rated campgrounds for the same activities and regions.
Availability, what to pack, similar spots — ask anything and get an instant answer.
Fall brings the calmest conditions. September through early November typically sees daytime highs in the 68–80°F range with mid-50s nights, light winds, and minimal fog. Ocean swells drop after summer northwest winds subside, making this the best window for kayaking and paddleboarding. Crowds thin after Labor Day, though lifeguards remain on duty some weekends into October. Summer sees more coastal fog and afternoon wind but warmer water. Winter brings the wettest weather and rougher surf. Spring can be cool and overcast but offers good whale watching during the northbound gray whale migration.
Sept–Nov: calmest conditions, mild temps, light winds; reviewers call fall the best season.
Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.
Refugio State Beach Campground offers a variety of amenities designed to enhance the camping experience. Accessible features are a highlight, with five accessible campsites (#1, #8, #38, #52, #62) featuring nearby accessible water stations and routes to restrooms. There are combination restroom/shower buildings, including accessible Building #5, which has adjacent parking. Fire rings are provided for campfires and must be used responsibly. Potable water is available on-site, and flush toilets are located throughout. The campground also features picnic tables, a basketball court, and a campfire center. The Refugio Beach Store sells camping supplies, souvenirs, ice, beverages, and fishing bait. Showers are coin-operated, costing 25 cents for two minutes.
Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.
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.
Rate Refugio State Beach Campground
Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.
Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.
Pulled from per-site mentions in 149 reviews.
Site #34 and #62 are recommended for privacy.
Site #61 is close to the swing set and may be noisy.
Be the first to review this campground
Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.
