Steve Crawford is a regular at El Capitán State Beach on the Gaviota coast. “A lot of people who work in the area frequent the beach during the week, either at lunch or after work,” says the ExxonMobil employee, who works nearby. “I constantly run into co-workers or other locals.” 
There are plenty of things to do at El Capitán State Beach, but the beach remains the biggest draw of all. 
A kayaker paddles off El Capitán State Beach. 
A safari tent is one of the many glamping options at El Capitán Canyon. 
Sunset at El Capitán State Beach.
There’s something refreshing and rewarding about falling asleep beneath the stars, and even pebbles poking your sleeping bag and gusts of wind that threaten to flatten your tent can’t change that.
For my family, the allure of camping is heightened by the promise of waking up to the sound of waves breaking against the shore. That’s one of the many reasons why camping at El Capitán State Beach is one of the best places to rise and shine.
Santa Barbara County has incredible beaches and El Capitán on the Gaviota coast is one of the most stunning. The beautiful, sandy beach, with rocky tide pools, is edged by oak and sycamore trees. This gem of a destination is only 17 miles west of Goleta and gives visitors the chance to camp, hike, surf, beachcomb and birdwatch.
Steve Crawford, a facilities engineer for ExxonMobil, is one of the many people who agree that “El Capitán State Beach is one of the most locally loved beaches in Santa Barbara County.”
“We’re lucky to have it here in our backyard,” he said. “A lot of people who work in the area frequent the beach during the week, either at lunch or after work. ExxonMobil is one of the top employers in the area, and when I’m at El Capitán State Beach, I constantly run into co-workers or other locals; we have a small, tight-knit community.
“A lot of ExxonMobil employees also eat lunch at the glamping spot, just behind El Capitán State Beach — El Capitán Canyon. The establishment has wonderful food and a huge array of choices given its size and remoteness.”
To-Do List
El Capitán State Beach visitors can enjoy numerous recreational pursuits. Make your way through the woodlands on El Capitán Point, or if you want a longer hike, the Bill Wallace Trail provides hikers with more than 10 miles of views, with a 1,000-foot elevation gain.
If you decide to hike along the beach, be mindful and consult a tide chart first. The beach that exists at low tide may quickly disappear when the tide rolls in, trapping you against the cliffs.
You also can hop on the bike path next to the campground for a peaceful ride along the coast. The path leads west to Refugio State Beach and provides stunning vistas along the three-mile jaunt.
If you prefer to be on the water, you’re definitely in the right place. Although the surf varies with the weather, at low tide during fall and winter, advanced surfers are known to find the perfect west or west-southwest swell.
Fishing, walking along the shore, swimming and playing in the sand are also popular pastimes when camping at El Capitán State Beach. There’s also a day-use area at the park with horseshoe pits, picnic tables, hiking trails, charcoal grills, a general store and beach access.
Camping
Can’t get enough of the fascinating place? We don’t blame you. The good news is you can spend as much time here as you’d like, if you decide to camp. El Capitán’s campground has more than 130 standard sites and is nestled on a low bluff, just above the ocean.
Eight people and a maximum of three vehicles are allowed at each campsite. Each site is outfitted with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill. There are restrooms with hot showers nearby. If you are traveling in an RV, there are a few paved sites that can accommodate a motorhome up to 42 feet long.
There are also five group camping areas that can fit between 40 and 100 people. To ensure that you’re able to get a spot at this year-round campground, feel free to book a site in advance.
There are basic amenities at the campground that can make you feel a bit more comfortable, including flush toilets, potable water and coin-operated showers. If you forget something at home, check to see if it’s in stock at the general store.
The most appealing amenity, of course, is the beach and the view. The ocean below can be accessed via a stairwell leading from the bluffs and the campground.
Glamping Option
If you don’t feel like roughing it in a tent, El Capitán State Beach has the reputation of providing one of the most magical glamping experiences in California. Just across Highway 101, El Capitán Canyon has more than 100 cabins and safari tents, which occupy the lush and leafy hillside compound.
Despite the presence of other cabins and campers, you still get a feeling of privacy that is unparalleled.
El Capitán Canyon has several kinds of accommodations, from basic canvas tents on wooden platforms to more ornate arrangements like cedar cabins with bathrooms and kitchenettes. If you want the ultimate stargazing opportunity, there are yurts with domed skylights. All of these are situated along a winding road in the hilly portion of the property.
Guests also have access to complimentary cruiser bikes, and if you’re interested in arranging a surf lesson, whale watching excursion, kayaking trip or wine tasting, the staff at the park can help you do that as well.
Natural Habitat
Stands of live oaks, willows and sycamore trees along El Capitán Creek create a lush, coastal woodland. An abundance of wildlife call it home. The oaks offer sustenance for dozens of species — including mule deer, western gray squirrels, band-tailed pigeons, California scrub jays, raccoons and flickers — while the sycamores and willows provide shade.
Camping atop the bluffs gives visitors a perfect view of the water. California gray whales are sometimes seen during their annual migrations, while dolphins are a common sighting. The beach draws multiple species of seabirds. From your tent, you can watch as gulls, plovers, willets and sanderlings walk the beach and gracefully skim the shore.
But make sure you keep your eyes peeled for Southern Pacific rattlesnakes, Great Basin fence lizards and various rodents as you hike and explore. These little critters make their home in the sage scrub and beneath the shelter of the woodlands canopy, grasses and herbaceous plants.
If you opt for glamping, that part of the park has goats, sheep and a donkey. However, because El Capitán State Beach is designated as a wildlife corridor, in an effort to protect local wildlife, pets are not allowed throughout the canyon.
El Capitán State Beach is a spectacular place, and it’s hard to take in all that the park has to offer in a matter of hours. That’s why camping is so popular. It gives you the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the scenic surroundings, connect with wildlife, unplug and relax.
Whether you choose to stay in a tent at the campground or opt for more luxurious accommodations, like the cabins or yurts, we guarantee that camping at El Capitán State Beach is something you’ll never forget.
— Donna Polizzi is a travel writer and founder of Keys 2 the Coast, a trusted travel resource for the Central Coast and beyond, including sharing favorite places to “Wine, Dine and Explore.” She can be contacted at news@noozhawk.com. Connect with Keys 2 the Coast on Facebook. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are her own.