Gaviota State Park Beach Camping, Day Use, Hiking Trails

The Gaviota Coast, located in Northern Santa Barbara County, is the largest remaining undeveloped coastline in Southern California and is considered one of the most pristine coastal areas in the state. Gaviota State Park is the last stop on Highway 101 before it turns inland toward Buellton and is a fantastic place to spend a day or have an overnight camping adventure.

Gaviota Canyon Trestle Bridge

A train trestle belonging to Southern Pacific passes over Gaviota Canyon east of the beach and is the longest railroad bridge between Ventura and San Luis Obispo. Built-in 1900, the trestle bridge is still used by freight trains, the Pacific Coastliner, and the Coast Starlight Train. If you choose to camp at Gaviota State Park, the only sounds you will hear, besides the occasional train, will be the Pacific Coast waves crashing on the beach.

Gaviota State Park Beach Camping

There are 41 developed campsites available for visitors. These sites can accommodate tents, trailers up to 25 feet, and recreational vehicles up to 27 feet. However, it’s worth noting that the campground at Gaviota is relatively tiny and better suited for tents and smaller RVs. Tent campers should know that Gaviota SP can get strong winds blowing through the area. If you prefer a larger campground, you can head to Refugio State Beach, which is around 11 miles away from Gaviota and closer to Santa Barbara.

Camping reservations can be made up to seven months in advance. During the summer and holiday weekends, campsites fill up fast, so reserve early for the best locations. From October to March, the campground is open on weekends only, depending on the park’s current conditions. Check the state park website for the latest information and reserve a campground.

Gaviota State Park Hiking

The Gaviota State Park boasts an extensive network of trails that meander through the backcountry. These trails span over 2,000 acres of oak woodland and scrub, with some offering breathtaking views of the Gaviota Coast. Before setting off on your hike, it’s advisable to check with the park rangers as the conditions change frequently. It’s important to note that Gaviota State Park is home to mountain lions, so hikers should remain vigilant. Watch out for snakes during the summer months.

Gaviota Wind Caves

The Gaviota Wind Caves are a three-mile round trip from the campground. The hike up to the caves is an uphill journey, so it’s essential to bring water, as you might get thirsty. These caves are carved out of the sandstone rock formations by wind. Although none of the caves are deep, one is large and perfect for taking pictures for your favorite social media platform. Unfortunately, graffiti and carvings are on the soft sandstone cliffs, but it’s still worth the hike when camping at Gaviota.

Gaviota Hot Springs

Gaviota Hot Springs is located about three miles away from the campgrounds. However, the hike is quite long and steep. It is recommended to drive up Highway 101 and park at the Gaviota Peak trailhead, from where you can walk to the hot springs. The hot springs consist of two small sulfur springs open to the public. Although nude bathing is discouraged, it still happens at the springs. Before entering a natural hot spring, it is essential to consider some safety tips.

Gaviota State Park Pier

The public fishing pier has been closed since 2015 due to damage caused by high surf. The pier was the only launching spot between the harbors of Santa Barbara and Port San Luis. Plans have been approved to repair the pier, but a date has yet to be set for construction. Currently, no information is available regarding the pier’s repair timeline.

Hollister Ranch Surfing

Adjacent to Gaviota State Park lies a vast private ranch called Hollister Ranche, which extends almost to Point Conception. Unfortunately, public access to the Ranch is restricted. However, California law allows access to all land below the mean high tide line. Therefore, surfers can reach this secluded section of the coast by boat or walking in from Gaviota and Jalama beaches, avoiding crossing the high tide line. The Ranch features breathtaking surfing spots like Razor Blades, Drake’s, St. Augustine, Cojo Point, and Perko’s Point.

Note: You can travel about a mile along the Hollister Ranch road to access several secluded beach areas. Once you get to the Hollister Ranch gatehouse, it’s time to turn around unless you are a guest.

Nearby Gaviota State Park

Refugio State Beach

Refugio Beach State Park is located 11 miles south of Gaviota Beach. Refugio Beach is the perfect destination if you plan to travel with an RV. The campsites are near the beach, with some tucked away in palm trees that provide ample shade. Campsites fill up quickly on weekends and during the summer vacation season.

Solvang California

Solvang, a Danish-style village, is approximately a 20-minute from Gaviota State Park. Visitors can stock up on camping supplies or enjoy a comfortable hotel stay.

Jalama Beach Camping

Jalama Beach is located 32 miles away from Gaviota Beach and is considered one of the best beach camping spots in Santa Barbara County. The beach offers 107 campsites and seven beach cabins. However, it can be difficult to make reservations, especially during peak seasons when there is high demand.

Gaviota State Park is 33 miles north of Santa Barbara and takes about three to four hours to drive from Los Angeles.

Southern California Beach Campgrounds