Beach Camping Near Santa Barbara, California, US: 12 Best Beach Campsites 2024

United States
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California
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Santa Barbara

94% (843 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Santa Barbara

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7 top beach campgrounds near Santa Barbara

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(434)

Arber-Moore's Ranch

6 sites · RVs, Tents22 acres · Oak View, CA

Beautiful natural campsites in the Valley of the Moon (Ojai Valley). Our sites are within an eighth of a mile of walking, running, biking, and riding trails from Ojai to the beaches of Ventura. On many days you can experience Ojai’s famous pink moments. You can hike the trails above Ojai, boat, eat, or picnic at Lake Casitas. Travel to nearby Ventura to shop, fish the pier, or take a deep sea fishing charter or Island charter to Whale watch or fish around the Channel Islands. Please note the aerial view of the camping area recently placed by Hipcamp is NOT AT ALL REPRESENTATIVE of the current camping sites and shows a photo that is many years old when the site was merely land. That photo is without any of the existing amenities or improvements. The actual sites are all Larger than Federal Park and Statepark guidelines, with averages of 20'x30' for campsites and 20'x40' for a long RVCampsite. We have planted many young trees and continue to plant trees and native shrubs around and near the sites. We have picnic tables, table coverings, fire pits, and camping rugs/footprints. There is also an outdoor shower, a shower tent with hot water, and an upgraded porta-potty with a sink. Note: During times when high heat is predicted, we strongly recommend that our Hipcampers bring pop-up shade tents or canopies for their sites. The Hipcamp is adjacent to our working ranch, and any photos of old sheds, trucks, a wood lot, or other equipment are NOT on the Hipcamp, but you will drive past that property to get to the separate Hipcamp area. Wineries, Farmer's Markets, Craft Breweries, dispensaries, and more are within 10 to 15 minutes of our site. Our location allows moments when you may see Hawks, Owls, Geese, Swallows, Robins, Bluebirds, and more. We offer both tent and RV camping. The Majority of our Guests love it here: "Vivian and Dave were exceptional hosts! Easy to contact and find our way to their property. Also gave us a plethora of places to go and things to do in the Ojai area. The area was open and spacious, and many trees and upgrades were in the works to make future stays more user-friendly. Big pluses were the shower and toilet facilities—much appreciated !!"

The Lodge at Deer Creek

2 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · Malibu, CA

At The Lodge at Deer Creek you'll be nestled between mountains and the pacific ocean. Surround yourself with nature and its music on this 25 acre ocean view property. Grab a surf or paddle board and head to the beach or zen out amongst the greenery. Grocery, restaurants, and retail are a beautiful drive along the coast.

Gaia Farm Campground

3 sites · Tents20 acres · Goleta, CA

Situated on a private and peaceful non-profit farm on the Gaviota Coast, our campsites provide a unique camping experience for the whole family. The sites feature uninterrupted views of the coast, native chaparral hiking trails, and access to a farm tour (suggested donation of $25/person). Our farm raises animals such as cows, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, and more. We invite you to visit with the animals, hike our trails, and enjoy the natural beauty of our incredible land. Sites are primitive camping on gravel pads along our hiking trails. Approximately a five minute hike from parking. Water and composting toilets are provided.

Rancho de Granville

6 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Oak View, CA

Sandy yard, a tent spot with privacy near San Antonio Creek ! Challenge a friend to game of horseshoes or darts. Your neighbors are the friendly horses and the curious chickens! This was the original stage coach stop between Ventura and the small community of Nordoff (Ojai) the old bunkhouse and barn remain!

Private Beach Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Goleta, CA

This is an incredibly historic site in Santa Barbara history. 2 tribes of Chumash Indians lived here for 10,000 years. This is where Spain landed and began colonizing the area. In the 1950's and 60's, this was the site of the World's largest orchid farm. There is a book called The Royal Rancho, if you are a history buff. We are a farm on the beach just North of Santa Barbara and Goleta, Ca. You will camp in a historic, glass greenhouse with incredible ocean views. Inside is a cob pizza oven that works awesome. (Bring your own firewood),,, a place to pitch tents and tiny artistic structures to explore. You will have a private bath and shower (Primitive, no electricity, but the hot shower has the best view in the world of any shower!) Bring your own toiletries and whatnot. Private beach access from our property. We have a barnyard with a multitude of farm animals. Limited electricity in greenhouse (A couple of extension chords). The fire ban is ONLY for open campfires. The pizza oven and YOUR bbq or propane flame is fine. If you are camping during the rain, be advised, it gets wet in the greenhouse. It's an antique after all!

92%

(26)

Caravan Outpost - Ojai Oasis!

1 site · Lodging6 acres · Ojai, CA

Tucked away at the outskirts of Ojai, Caravan Outpost offers an unique experience hosted in one of our 10 Airstreams or 1 Tiny House on Wheels. Learn more about this land: This listing is for one of our 10 Airstreams located in a plush, beautiful Oasis in Ojai, California. Caravan Outpost is a garden filled with Airstreams in Ojai, CA. One of the most unique places to stay in all of America. The Outpost is family-friendly and located on the Ojai Valley bike path. Ride one of our complimentary bikes, enjoy the beautiful botanical garden, eat at a local delicious restaurant, hike one of the many trails, listen to our vinyl collection - Relax and enjoy!

Ocean Breeze

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Ventura, CA

WONDERFUL CALIFORNIA COASTAL LOCATIONS NEARBY Amazing location for ALL THE MOST LOVED SURFING, HIKING, BIKING,, ADVENTURE ENTHUSIAST, near Carpinteria and Santa Monica and OJAI! Camp anywhere you want at the nearby beaches and OJAI, Santa Monica Mountains and beyond! —why only camp at one place when you have hundreds of locations nearby to choose from!!! Then come home to a cozy living room and fireplace! And the King sized bed is aahhhmazing! Glamping can be fun, too!!! Enjoy the OCAEAN BREEZE!! And when the suns out PalmTree sunsets from your balcony! Aloha!

Dog-friendly getaways

92%

(26)

Caravan Outpost - Ojai Oasis!

1 site · Lodging6 acres · Ojai, CA

Tucked away at the outskirts of Ojai, Caravan Outpost offers an unique experience hosted in one of our 10 Airstreams or 1 Tiny House on Wheels. Learn more about this land: This listing is for one of our 10 Airstreams located in a plush, beautiful Oasis in Ojai, California. Caravan Outpost is a garden filled with Airstreams in Ojai, CA. One of the most unique places to stay in all of America. The Outpost is family-friendly and located on the Ojai Valley bike path. Ride one of our complimentary bikes, enjoy the beautiful botanical garden, eat at a local delicious restaurant, hike one of the many trails, listen to our vinyl collection - Relax and enjoy!

Ocean Breeze

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Ventura, CA

WONDERFUL CALIFORNIA COASTAL LOCATIONS NEARBY Amazing location for ALL THE MOST LOVED SURFING, HIKING, BIKING,, ADVENTURE ENTHUSIAST, near Carpinteria and Santa Monica and OJAI! Camp anywhere you want at the nearby beaches and OJAI, Santa Monica Mountains and beyond! —why only camp at one place when you have hundreds of locations nearby to choose from!!! Then come home to a cozy living room and fireplace! And the King sized bed is aahhhmazing! Glamping can be fun, too!!! Enjoy the OCAEAN BREEZE!! And when the suns out PalmTree sunsets from your balcony! Aloha!

The Lodge at Deer Creek

2 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · Malibu, CA

At The Lodge at Deer Creek you'll be nestled between mountains and the pacific ocean. Surround yourself with nature and its music on this 25 acre ocean view property. Grab a surf or paddle board and head to the beach or zen out amongst the greenery. Grocery, restaurants, and retail are a beautiful drive along the coast.

Rancho de Granville

6 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Oak View, CA

Sandy yard, a tent spot with privacy near San Antonio Creek ! Challenge a friend to game of horseshoes or darts. Your neighbors are the friendly horses and the curious chickens! This was the original stage coach stop between Ventura and the small community of Nordoff (Ojai) the old bunkhouse and barn remain!

Arber-Moore's Ranch

6 sites · RVs, Tents22 acres · Oak View, CA

Beautiful natural campsites in the Valley of the Moon (Ojai Valley). Our sites are within an eighth of a mile of walking, running, biking, and riding trails from Ojai to the beaches of Ventura. On many days you can experience Ojai’s famous pink moments. You can hike the trails above Ojai, boat, eat, or picnic at Lake Casitas. Travel to nearby Ventura to shop, fish the pier, or take a deep sea fishing charter or Island charter to Whale watch or fish around the Channel Islands. Please note the aerial view of the camping area recently placed by Hipcamp is NOT AT ALL REPRESENTATIVE of the current camping sites and shows a photo that is many years old when the site was merely land. That photo is without any of the existing amenities or improvements. The actual sites are all Larger than Federal Park and Statepark guidelines, with averages of 20'x30' for campsites and 20'x40' for a long RVCampsite. We have planted many young trees and continue to plant trees and native shrubs around and near the sites. We have picnic tables, table coverings, fire pits, and camping rugs/footprints. There is also an outdoor shower, a shower tent with hot water, and an upgraded porta-potty with a sink. Note: During times when high heat is predicted, we strongly recommend that our Hipcampers bring pop-up shade tents or canopies for their sites. The Hipcamp is adjacent to our working ranch, and any photos of old sheds, trucks, a wood lot, or other equipment are NOT on the Hipcamp, but you will drive past that property to get to the separate Hipcamp area. Wineries, Farmer's Markets, Craft Breweries, dispensaries, and more are within 10 to 15 minutes of our site. Our location allows moments when you may see Hawks, Owls, Geese, Swallows, Robins, Bluebirds, and more. We offer both tent and RV camping. The Majority of our Guests love it here: "Vivian and Dave were exceptional hosts! Easy to contact and find our way to their property. Also gave us a plethora of places to go and things to do in the Ojai area. The area was open and spacious, and many trees and upgrades were in the works to make future stays more user-friendly. Big pluses were the shower and toilet facilities—much appreciated !!"

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

96%

(29)

Emma Wood State Beach

San Buenaventura (Ventura), California

96%

(436)

Los Padres National Forest

Mission Canyon, California

96%

(62)

Channel Islands National Park

Isla Vista, California

...that time we played with smoke bombs at Photo Field Trip!

96%

(94)

El Capitán State Beach

Goleta, California

Mountains cascading in the marine layer in the early morning

100%

(11)

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Malibu, California

96%

(57)

Point Mugu State Park

Camarillo, California

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Discover the best beach camping near Santa Barbara guide

Overview

There are numerous public beaches to reward campers who travel to the Santa Barbara section of California's Central Coast. They include El Capitán State Beach, Refugio State Beach, Jalama Beach County Park, and Carpinteria State Beach, most of which offer beach camping not right on the sand but instead up atop bluffs overlooking the shore. A ferry to the secluded beaches of Channel Islands National Park also launches from nearby Ventura. Many state beach parks offer hookups for RVs, restrooms, fire pits, and picnic tables for campers. Elsewhere around the Santa Barbara coast, campsites range from blufftop sites with sunset views to beach campgrounds just a short walk from the sand. You can also find cabins, glamping sites, and private getaways with beach access in Santa Barbara. For the best beach camping experience, bring your own watersports equipment or opt for paddleboard, surfboard, or kayak rentals along the water. If you still have an appetite for adventure after exploring the waves, tide pools, and marine life, hit the hiking trails in nearby Los Padres National Forest.