Carpinteria SB

Please Note:  For the current status of this park, please call (805) 968-1033.

Twelve miles south of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria State Beach offers a mile of beach for swimming, surf fishing, tidepool exploring and camping. Although dogs are not allowed on beach we have a great picnic area where they are allowed to enjoy the outdoors as well. Lifeguards patrol the beach year round while lifeguard towers are staffed roughly from memorial day weekend through labor day weekend. 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, 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 urchins.

Location - Directions

The park is off U.S. 101, twelve miles south of Santa Barbara.  Exit at Casitas Pass Road, travel West on Casitas Pass Road to Carpinteria Avenue, make a right at the signal; then turn left on Palm.  The beach is at the end of Palm Avenue.

Seasons/Climate - Recommended Clothing

Summer and spring are warm, fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.

Most of the parks of the Channel Coast District are located along the coast in western Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.  Camp Host positions exist at the following parks within the District:

McGrath State Beach

Emma Wood State Beach
(North Beach Campground and Ventura River Group Camp)

Carpinteria State Beach

El Capitan State Beach

Refugio State Beach

Gaviota State Park

RV Rental delivery Policy

Trailers may be rented from 101 RV Rental Concession. This is the only permitted business for delivery of RVs in this state park. For any questions contact 101 RV Rental 877-392-2674