Save
You must be signed in to save park lists.
Your Park Lists
add New List
Add Photo
You must be signed in to add photos.
state route ranger badge
California
66

California State Parks

responsive menu icon
USA Parks
California
Southern California Region
El Capitan Beach State Park
El Capitan Beach State Park © Gary OToole
El Capitan Beach State Park Hiking Under the Sycamores © Mary Wilson
Nasturtiums blooming under sycamores at El Capitan
Search
Availability
Calendars
Availability Search
EL CAPITAN BEACH STATE PARK
EL CAPITAN BEACH STATE PARK
Goleta, California   93117

Phone: 805-968-1033
Reservations: 800-444-7275
El Capitan State Beach offers visitors a sandy beach, rocky tidepools, and stands of sycamore and oaks along El Capitan Creek. It?s a perfect setting for swimming, fishing, surfing, picnicking and camping. A stairway provides access from the bluffs to the beach area.

History of the Area
Located in Southern California, the park was established in 1953. It spans over 2,600 acres of oak and sycamore woodland.

The Chumash people originally inhabited this area for thousands of years before European explorers arrived.

Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovered it during his voyage along the Pacific coast in 1542.

In Spanish colonial times, it became part of a Mexican land grant named "Rancho El Capitan" given to Captain Jose Francisco Ortega around 1840s.

After changing hands several times throughout history due its rich resources like oil reserves; finally becoming public property by mid-20th century.

Today known as an outdoor haven offering camping facilities and hiking trails with stunning views overlooking Channel Islands National Park and Santa Barbara coastline.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Bike Trailsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
Camping
- El Capitan State Beach Campground: Offers 142 family campsites for tents, trailers and motorhomes.
- Group Camping Area: Accommodates up to 100 people with picnic tables, fire rings and restrooms.
- Hike or Bike Campsites: For those who prefer a more rugged camping experience away from the main campground area.
- RV Sites with Hookups: Available on select sites at the state beach park's campgrounds.


Location
El Capitan Beach State Park is located near Goleta, Santa Barbara and Goleta

Trails
- Bill Wallace Trail: A 10-mile loop trail that offers scenic views of the ocean and mountains, moderate difficulty level.

- El Capitan Canyon Nature Trail: An easy half mile walk through a lush riparian forest with interpretive signs about local flora and fauna.

- Ocean Mesa Loop: This is an approximately two miles long hiking path offering panoramic coastal vistas; suitable for all skill levels.

- Las Llagas Creek Road to Gaviota Peak Fire Road Hike: It's a strenuous 6.5-miles round trip hike featuring hot springs at the top of Gaviota peak.

- Beach-to-Ridge Loop via Coastal Bluffs & Woodland Trails : Approximately five miles in length, this moderately difficult route combines beach walking with woodland exploration.

- Refugio State Park Connector Pathway : Roughly three miles one way from El Capitan campground to neighboring Refugio state park along coastline bluffs; mostly flat terrain.

- Vista Point Overlook Mini-trail : Less than quarter mile but steep climb up stairs leading to breathtaking view point over Pacific Ocean ; accessible near campgrounds area .

- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park trails (nearby): Although not directly within El Capitan Beach State Park boundaries , these nearby routes offer additional options such as Ewoldsen trail or Waterfall overlook pathway .

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
write a review
Share On

Area Campgrounds
Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground
180 Avenue of the Flags
Buellton, CA
805-688-3716
Ocean Mesa Campground
100 El Capitan Terrace Lane
Santa Barbara, CA
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
The beach is located off Highway 101 seventeen miles west of Santa Barbara.

state route ranger badge
California
66

California State Parks

X