El Capitán Entrance Improvements Project

We’re excited to share a progress update on the El Capitan Entrance Improvements Project and highlight the work that has been completed and is nearing completion.

Construction Progress to Date

The project has made significant progress, with several major components completed and others in their final stages:

• Nearly all subsurface work has been completed
• The bridge is set in place, and the deck has been attached; the next step will be the final overlay
• Both new stormwater retention basins are fully constructed
• The new entry kiosk is substantially built and currently receiving final finish work

Remaining Work & Project Sequencing

The main roadway portion of the project is on track to be completed by the end of January. Once the road work is complete, the project will move into its final phases, which include:

Pouring the new sidewalk connection from the park entry.

• Completion of soil-nail wall.
• Trail work, including:
  • Connecting the trail to the bridge, which must be completed before the park can reopen
  • Additional trail work between the bridge and the kiosk.
• Additional park road paving outside the scope of this project, which could not be completed until construction equipment could access the park via the new road
• Minor finish work and final surface treatments
• Final inspections and agency approvals

We appreciate the public’s patience and support as we complete the final steps of this project. We look forward to welcoming visitors soon and sharing the improved El Capitan entrance.

Additional updates will be shared as we approach opening, which is anticipated for March 2026.

Camping reservations at El Capitán State Beach are currently not available on ReserveCalifornia. If all final steps proceed as planned, we are optimistically targeting a public opening sometime in February or March. Because the exact opening date is not yet finalized, reservations will not be accepted prior to opening. Sites will initially be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the entrance is officially open, reservations will be re-enabled for the months following the opening month. This approach ensures a safe and expedient re-opening while allowing flexibility as final details are confirmed.

The entrance road will be closed completely beginning in January 2025 until January 2026.

The first half of trail construction is complete as of September 2024. The second half of trail construction will begin upon the conclusion of entrance road and bridge construction.

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.