El Capitán Entrance Improvements Project

We are pleased to share another progress update on the El Capitán Entrance Improvements Project and highlight the substantial work that has been completed since our last communication.

Construction Progress

Since our previous update, the project has advanced significantly, with many major components now complete:

1. Roadway paving began this week, marking a major milestone in the construction process.
2. The bridge deck has been poured, and all bridge railings and guardrails are installed.
3. The entry kiosk construction is complete, including installation of windows, cabinetry, paint, and electrical systems.
4. Landscaping throughout the entrance area has been completed.
5. The soil-nail retaining wall has been constructed and will receive its final surface stain.
6. Stormwater retention basins and nearly all subsurface infrastructure are complete.

Remaining Work

Several final components remain before the park can reopen:

1. Completion of paving within the remainder of the park interior, which will occur once final approvals for that work are secured.
2. Pouring the sidewalk connection from the park boundary entrance. This sidewalk will provide a safe pedestrian route that keeps visitors off the roadway until they reach the park trail system.
3. Electrical service connection to the new entry kiosk by Southern California Edison.
4. Final staining of the soil-nail retaining wall.

Trail Work & Interpretive Elements

The entrance trail connection to the bridge is largely complete, and the State Parks Trails Team is currently working on the remaining section of trail between the bridge and the kiosk area. Some trail work will continue as the park reopens. Interpretive elements associated with the trail will also be installed once the trail is fully completed, helping visitors learn about the natural and cultural history of the El Capitán area.

Reservations will not be accepted until the park is reopened. When the park first reopens:

1. Campsites will initially be first-come, first-served.
2. Reservations will be reactivated shortly after reopening for future dates.

While construction progress has been strong, the park cannot reopen until the remaining internal paving work is completed. That paving work requires final approvals that are currently still in process.

As a result, the previously anticipated March 2026 reopening will not occur. A revised opening timeline will be shared once the remaining paving work and final approvals are scheduled.

Please visit the El Capitán State Beach Facebook and Channel Coast District Instagram pages for the most recent updates on access. If you have any questions please contact the Channel Coast District at ChannelCoastInfo@Parks.Ca.Gov

Project Goals

• Remove fish barrier along El Capitán Creek
• Improve public safety
• Improve accessibility and coastal access
• Improve stormwater quality per Santa Barbara
  Project Clean Water guidelines
• Adapt to current and future access needs at
  El Capitán State Beach

Project Components

• Widen road by 4 feet or greater along entire length
• Rehabilitate existing pavement with a mill & overlay
• Construct new bridge to replace existing culvert (fish barrier)
• Increase capacity of existing secondary, high flow channel culvert with an additional culvert
• Rehabilitate trail and construct sustainable, accessible trail in its place
• Construct accessible entrance kiosk
• Stormwater treatment and BMPs per Project Clean Water guidelines

• Native American consultation (2017-present)

• State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) 
  • Section 106 consultation completed
  • Public Resources Code (PRC) Sections 5024 and 5024.5 review and concurrence issued

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 404 Nationwide Permit (NWP) 14 

• United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) - Biological Opinion (BO) issued

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) - Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) Concurrence Letter issued
• Approved jurisdictional determination (AJD) issued
• NWP 14 and reverification of permit issued

• Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) 401 Water Quality Certification  (WQC)
• Permit issued

• California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) 1602 Lake and Streambed Alteration (LSA) Agreement
• Permit issued

• Coastal Development Permit (CDP) through Local Coastal Program (LCP) - County of Santa Barbara
• Permit issued

Project documents can be found on the Santa Barbara County Planning & Development website.