Santa Barbara CA Possibilities?

[comprose]

Enroute soon from the San Francisco Bay area, San Juan Batista to be exact, heading to Escondido CA. A good mid-point stop is the Santa Barbara CA area, but RV sites seem pretty limited. We plan to be in the Santa Barbara area Saturday night, April 2nd. Some sites want a two-night stay if a weekend is involved, more than we want. Any ideas, leads would be much appreciated.

Mike

[McDave]

If you don't find anything you like in Santa Barbara, Moro Bay State Park is a great place to stay. Within easy walking distance of the bay. El Chorro Regional Park outside of San Luis Obispo is another option. Not as scenic as the one in Moro Bay, but not as much of a detour off of 101, if that matters to you. Nice big dog park near there.

[LBOskiBear]

In the Santa Barbara area, I've been to 3 different places:

1. Flying Flags in Buellton.
2. Ocean Mesa at El Capitan (just north of Santa Barbara)
3. Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park

The first two are quite nice. #2 is fairly "high-end" but I love it. #3 is not bad. It's tiny, but I got a pull-through spot in a pinch and it was perfectly clean and acceptable for a one-night stay. It's right off the 101

[alano]

If it's not too early, I'd try and get into Avila Beach if you don't mind dry camping. If you arrive mid-week you have a good chance of getting a spot next to the beach, otherwise make sure you check the overflow parking - it has a beautiful view!

If you do go to SB, I second Ocean Mesa. Very nice resort.

[bradzee]

I second Flying Flags, a very nice and well-run park. It also is close to great wine tasting (the movie SIDEWAYS was shot there) as well as the town of Solvang, which is a cute (but a little touristy) Danish-style town.

At El Capitan you might want to consider El Capitan State Beach, which is much more primitive than the private one noted above, but it has the advantage of being close to the ocean and (rocky) beach. It can be tough for reservations, however.

There is another state beach just north of El Capitan but I forget the name - supposed to be similar to El Capitan SB.

[EvelynDickinson]

Another rec for Ocean Mesa at El Capitan it's "berry nize"

[Pocarroll1]

Please check the Elks lodge in SB. They have RV sites and may let you stay even if your not a member.
Thank you, Paul

[SouthForkAS]

go another 40 miles south into west Malibu to Thornhill Broome State park on the water - rocky beach but easy on -off

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6hRm0gYVwE

(somebodys travel log)
check state website for availability

[Mrmill]

Refugio State Beach is north of El Capitan State Beach.

Also Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara has a bunch of full hook up sites too.

[kscherzi]

I second Refugio State Park.

[bevman]

Lake Cachuma Park has lots of hookups at a reasonable price. 30 minutes into SB.

[Chick Squad]

How about San Diego? I have to go for a funeral and would like to stay close to beach while there. Thanks!

[sunskr]

Lompoc if you are military best on west coast. the others are good, train is a challenge. try to spend a couple of days in SB, great town. Solvang best pastries on west cost.

[prairieschooner]

That area on a Saturday could be hard to get but...El Capitan is fantastic, you may be able to get a walk up in case somebody cancelled (Dry-Camping).
You could try Ventura at the Rincon Parkway...very hard to find an open spot especially on a Saturday (Dry-Camping). But there is a Day Use Area.
Ema Woods State Beach in Ventura may even be a possibility (Dry-Camping).

[dpaul.syv]

Living here suggestions are:
Flying Flags, fully supported, close to really good food and wineries, solvang, etc; Cachuma very little water and taking your camper over the pass, a pain, tight traffic locals are in a hurry-but its pretty dry; Gaviota state beach-very windy; Refugio, primitive/dry camping-beach is rocky right now after heavy ocean action; El Cap same, but beach is always rocky; Ocean Mesa, high end, all pull thrus, nice pool, beach is across hi way, about a mile walk, so worth it, the el Cap Canyon "glamping" is just a path down the hill and they have a little restaurant. SB is only about 20-30 minutes from there. SB camping really limited. Navigating SB can be very frustrating. Next destination is Carpinteria State Beach. Cool beach town, good food, dry camping, pretty sure it's basic. May have a couple of plug ins-not sure.

[Robert24341]

Carpenteria State Beach is great. They do require reservations through "Reserve
America.com "

[comprose]

Many thanks for great suggestions. Being a weekend meant some places wanted two-nights stay. Others did not have pull-through (to lazy to have to disconnect and reconnect our dingy). Yet others not quite a comfortable halfway point to Escondido We ended up at Mountain View Park, Santa Paula, just a few miles north of US 101 and through some wonderful citrus country. Very clean, level park, and an easy drive, even in late afternoon.