Reservation Availability

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 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.

Moderate ocean temperature at Emma Wood State Beach makes the area a great place for swimming, surfing and fishing. Catches include perch, bass, cabezon and corbina. A freshwater marsh at the southwest end of the beach attract raccoons, songbirds and red-tailed hawks. The beach also features the crumbling ruins of a World War II coastal artillery site. There is a grassy area for groups and a campground for hikers and bikers. The beach offers a view of Anacapa Island - and occasional dolphins.

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.