Latest update: October 25th, 2024

History
California State Parks acquired the land that now encompasses El Capitán State Beach between 1953 and 1967; and the State Parks Commission classified El Capitán State Beach in June of 1962. The park and campground developments remain in the original 1978 configuration, thus the park suffers from outdated and inadequate facilities.

The Project
The El Capitán Entrance Improvements Project will adapt to park access patterns by widening the entrance road to reduce wait times and increase public safety, replacing an existing culvert with a more effective bridge and removing a fish barrier, and replacing two separate antiquated park entry buildings with one functional park entry kiosk. Additionally, to safely accommodate the pedestrian traffic now accessing the State Park entry, an improved ADA trail will provide an enhanced park experience.

Progress
The first half of the entrance trail renovation is complete. The second half of construction will begin once the entrance road and bridge project phase is complete. This will result in trail detours and A-Loop being closed during construction.

It is anticipated that the remaining Entrance Improvements Project components will begin January 2025, fully closing camping at El Capitán State Beach for approximately one year. During this time there will be pedestrian access to the beach; however camping will not be available.

Camping reservations at El Capitán State Beach are currently available on ReserveCalifrona until Tuesday, Novemeber 19th, 2024. The park will then become 'first-come, first-served' on a walk-in only basis until the expected start of Entrance Road Construction in January 2025. Once construction on the entrance road begins, camping at El Capitán State Beach will cease for approximately one year with an anticipated reopening in January 2026. Information about camping at El Capitán State Beach will be updated as soon as we have specific dates.

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.

 

For questions and comments contact:
channelcoastinfo@parks.ca.gov
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