Carpenteria State Beach CG

[kimrb266]

We just returned from our second yearly trek to Carpenteria State Beach.
This CG offers full hookup (Water, Elec, Sewer). There are 4 loops, 2 are no hookups-mostly tents, the other 2 offer hook ups-no tents.  The rv sites are close together and resemble a parking lot with trees in between rows.  Each site offers a table, fire ring and depending on spot, some open space.  There are 2 rows that actually sit next to the sand, (premimum spots).  
 
The entire camping area is close to the beach.  Typical State park bathroom/shower facilities.  Cleaned daily, fully functional, $.25 showers.
Camp hosp has fire wood at a good price, quiet times enforced. State park rangers make regular patrols. One draw back is the RXR behind the CG, Amtrak goes by several times a day/night, not too much noise or bother. But a freight train comes by about twice a day.  The first night its surprises you, but after that it's no big deal.
 
This park is just 12 miles S/ of Santa Barbara and is an easy drive to the city.  We visit the SB Zoo, which is a fun place for the kids.
 
Our last two visits to the park have been great and we plan to return often, reservations thru ReserveAmerica.

[oldmoose]

Do you have any particular loop or sites to recommend? Are there sites to stay away from?
Moose

[griffsmom]

We stayed here 2 years ago, and it was too too much like a parking lot for our liking. The sites really are oversized parking places designated by painted lines. There are some sites on the sand that looked nice but reservations are non-site specific and those sites on the sand are difficult to get. There was also a bit of trouble with some drunks and transients when we were there and the police and rangers had to come and physically haul them away. There is also a theft problem at night and we were told to be sure to lock up our bikes and surfboards so that they didn't get stolen.
 
The beach was fun, but it does have quite a bit of tar--one of the reasons the Chumash Indians settled in this area. Speaking from personal experience, tar is impossible to get out of clothes and bathing suits! We did enjoy riding our bikes around the cg and there is easy access to ride over to the main part of town where there were some cute little places to eat. Griffin, who was about 18months at the time, actually loved the trains going by all the time.
 
IIRC, San Miguel is the section that is for RVs.

[fishinful]

Old Moose-

  The sites at Carpinteria are named after the channel islands out front.They are laid out in reverse order from the actual islands.

All sites are at least standard non-electric sites,however a few should be considered standard tent non-electric, that is to say it would be difficult to park your trailer and vehicle. Anacapa 2-4 and 36-39.
At Santa Rosa sites 163-187 are full hook up beach row.
At Santa Cruz sites 42-62 are beach row
At Santa Cruz sites82 -101 are more like a normal campground and aren't parking lot style.As is most of Anacapa which also has new bathrooms and showers.
Most of the beach rows are in groups of three so if you get an end spot at least your not sandwiched between two other trailers.
The long row (middle) sites are your strip of pavement and behind that width a firering table then a low fence. Not much room after you set up a few chairs.
spots to avoid are 42,53,56 2-6, anywhere in the middle of a group of three.
good spots are 43,45,50,62,163 and 173
A reservation for beach row gets you a spot there.
In the off season some areas are closed, for example: Anacapa and Santa Cruz are considered one so they don't open Anacapa until Santa Cruz is full.

This is urban camping at it's best and worst. Etiquette is breached daily as many people are new to camping or just plain dont care. Walking through others sites is to get somewhere is the most common.Consider this if you find a spot next to the bathrooms.

The  proximity of a town within easy walking distance means not much is needed to stay as all meals could be purchased.This brings all types of people here from vagrants and theives to teenage couples sneaking away for the weekend.I had my gas lantern stolen on my last trip and they got into my ice chest the time before. You really have to keep an eye on your stuff.

A lot of families come here because the beach is flat and sandy. Most swells are blocked by the islands and the waves are typically small. Plus surfing is limited to the main lifegaurd station, so the little ones wont get whacked.

As griffsmom said tar on the beach can be a hassle. Sometimes there's none, sometimes there's alot. I've noticed that it's usually deposited at the high tide line where it melts during the day. It comes off with various petroleum based solvents such as WD-40.

When my son was around four, we let him walk down the beach a ways by himself so he could feel big.. As he returned we noticed he was carrying something about the size of a large basketball."look!" he says with a big smile "I found a volcano" By then he was resting it against his chest and his hands had dissapeared into the middle of this giant tarball.We removed what we could and wrapped him in a towel for the trip home. I Believe it took better that one can of WD before all was said and done.

[griffsmom]

The long row (middle) sites are your strip of pavement and behind that width a firering table then a low fence. Not much room after you set up a few chairs.

Unfortunately, these were the sites we were in.  
 

good spots are 43,45,50,62,163 and 173
A reservation for beach row gets you a spot there.

Good to know.  thanks for the head's up!

[PITPOP27]

If you go AIM for Beach row in Santa Rosa ONLY, just steps out onto the sand - and go with friends - so the people right on top of you are people you like!  They're cramped, but great for pups.

No Surfing, no waves. GREAT FOR KAYAKS!
Bring Kerosine for the tar comes right off!

Trains are RIGHT there but you will get used to it.  Great trees for climbing little ones.

Santa Cruz has two great spots, no hookups,  where no one touches you VERY roomy! 38 and 37 - 37 is awesome!  It doesn't have sea view, but is shaded, and private, the children were at this site a majority of the day w/friends because of action games in the trees.  Not windy at all because you are behind the bluff of sand.


If your going for views, San Miguel is great and very possible to turn your PUP sideways.  No hookups, slightly elevated, and you'll have the diesel pushers behind you, because that's the only place they'll fit!


The town was fun!  Bike, walk or drive there.  A couple fabulous looking restaurants, Ice cream joint, little boutiques.  On saturdays there is a flea market at the museum, very quaint.

I know in the fall when I go I'm saving some cash to have lunch or dinner at the hamburger joint along the railroad stop.  There was a line going down the street all day long - the sign of a great burger!