Reservation Availability

If you are interested in having a RV delivered and set up on your campsite at Carpinteria SB, El Capitan SB, Gaviota SP, or Refugio SB Campgrounds, the following Concessionaire is the approved contract provider: 101 RV Rentals (805) 210-7391. No business or private party may conduct business on State Park property without an approved contract. Twelve miles south of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria State Beach offers a mile of beach for swimming, surf fishing, tidepool exploring and camping. The Spanish named the area Carpinteria because the Chumash tribe, which lived in the area, had a large seagoing canoe-building enterprise, or "carpentry shop" there. The tribe had chosen the location because of naturally-occurring surface tar which was used to seal the boats. Seals and sea lions can be seen in the area December through May, as well as an occasional gray whale. Tidepools contain starfish, sea anemones, crabs, snails, octopi and sea urchin.

The 13,300 acre park features five miles of ocean shoreline with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, and sand dunes. There are over 70 miles of hiking trails for all levels, with rugged hills, uplands, two major river canyons and wide grassy valleys dotted with sycamores, oaks, and a few native walnuts.

The Park has 1.5 miles of beach to explore reefs, tidepools, coastal caves, fish, and surf. Giant sycamores shade the main campgrounds. The park offers hiking, a visitor center, camp store, and welcomes dogs on a leash in specified areas. Junior Ranger & campfire programs are offered in the summer.

The park has over 4,000 acres and 15 miles of trails with a creek, rock pool, lake, chaparrals and many trees. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, and fishing. The park was home to Native American’s for centuries and used for filming hits such as Planet of the Apes and M*A*S*H.

Fort Tejon State Historic Park is the site of a fort established by the U.S. Army in 1854. The post is one of the significant remaining links to the early American occupation period of California. The fort was designed to protect Native Americans living on the Sebastian Indian Reservation. There are restored adobes from the original fort and the park's museum features exhibits on army life and local history. The park also has a number of beautiful 300 year-old valley oak trees. The site also has living history events held by volunteers in costume.