Camping By the Beach in California

Not every camp site has the luxury of being able to camp this close to the ocean. If you don’t care about warmth, this California gem called Carpenteria State Beach, can provide the thrill of seeing sea lions and seals from December through May. If warmth is your preference, which for most of us it is when taking our children on family beach vacations, wait until the summer months when you can enjoy the swimming also. Who knows, maybe you’ll still get to see a gray whale and dolphins. In the meantime, for those of you who remember those lazy days of childhood playing at beaches, there are sea anemones, starfish, crabs, snails, urchins and other sea creatures to fascinate you for hours on end. Bring a pail and shovel, maybe a net for fun, and you’re set for a cheap family vacation also.

Walk to the end of the beach past the camp sites, where you’ll find the tidal pools and all the small sea creatures you were hoping your kids would have the chance of discovering.

San Miguel campground is one of the four campground areas at this state park. If you stay within camp sites number 200 to 215, you apparently get the best ocean views. Confirm this however before booking. There are full hook-up sites but not for every site. All the sites are back-in for RVs and some can accommodate up to 35 feet.

Other positives: If you’re bringing children, there is no alcohol allowed. Maybe you’ll be glad there are no party hardies under the influence. Dr. Beach rates this as one of the cleanest beaches in the U.S. There are showers to clean up after a day in the sand, but you have to pay for them, which seems ridiculous. There are several small motels by the campground, as well as restaurants when you are tired of cooking camp food. People recommend The Spot take out restaurant.

Negatives: there was a Gestapo camp ranger, female by the way, who likes to measure everything,  – your dog’s leash, the inches where your camper is parked, and is basically your nightmare vacation cop in the forest. Hopefully she has gone on to better hunting grounds to spread her good cheer. There are some patches of naturally occurring tar, and this is something some of the small hotels nearby keep tar removing cleaning packets for the bottom of your feet. Probably better to just purchase a pair of water shoes so you don’t worry about it. Rates are somewhat steep – I hear it is now 65.00 for sites closest to the water. I’m wondering how much lower that is than a motel with a free shower by the beach. Oh well, camping is everything for some people.

Directions: Twelve miles south of Santa Barbara, the park is off U.S. 101  .  Exit at Casitas Pass Road from either North or South Hwy 101. Travel Casitas Pass Road to Carpinteria Avenue, turn right at the signal and left on Palm, the first left. Go to the end of Palm Ave. at the beach.

805-968-1033