There is so much to see and do all along our Southern California beaches that I could build a site just on this topic. I spent my youth here, growing up in the 1950s and '60s. That was a long time ago, and much has changed since I joined the Navy and moved away. However, a lot has stayed the same. Some things have even improved.  Custom Search Stretching along this sunny coast you will find many small towns that offer quaint shops ranging from upscale art galleries to simple ice cream parlors... each with a distinct personality. There are miles of bike trails connecting these various small beach communities. Whether you bike, or hike along these interconnecting avenues, you will experience a fresh ocean breeze and enjoy the variety of ocean smells ranging from the open fire pits and hot dogs being grilled to the simple smell of salt air coming off of the surf. These beaches offer warm sand and sun along with cool water to splash and swim in. After a long drive in the ol' motorhome, the sound of waves breaking against the sandy shore of our many Southern California Beaches will simply melt stress and put a smile on your face. Just north of the town of Santa Barbara is a very remote beach that has a unique appeal which separates it from the rest of our Southern California beaches. I like this beach very much because it is so far west of Hwy 1. Jalama Beach holds the honor of being the farthermost campground away from State Route 1 (Approximately 16 miles). Most of our California coastal campgrounds are located just off of the Pacific Coast Highway... sometimes you even have to cross this highway on foot to get to the ocean.
So having this county park located miles to the west of this state route is very good... if you like a more remote location. Going south just a bit will take you to Gaviota State Park. Gaviota is a small campground that have campsites spaced close together and it can get a bit crowded. It is paved, and believe it or not, there is a railroad trestle just overhead. This trestle is considered to be a local landmark. At any rate, Gaviota has a couple of good points and some potential negative aspects to consider. It is just off of Highway 1, so it is a good place to park for overnight, or maybe just a couple of days. Like most campgrounds along our Southern California Beaches, wind can be an issue. This probably would not be a very good place for tents. Those of us who use Class C Motorhomes should be snug enough.
A good reason to stick around this site is to observe a good low tide condition.. low tides will expose great tide pools that need exploring. You will find them at the base of the cliffs just to the right or left of the beach. You can find crabs, mussels, and sea anemones doing their thing in the rock pools. If you want to get your feet wet, there is a life guard on duty. just beyond the surf! A pier on the west end of the beach is used by anglers, and scuba divers and surfers use a boat hoist on the pier to access the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel. There is a small pier on the west end of the beach. It can be used by anglers and/or scuba divers. A boat hoist is available on this pier that allows access to fishing and other adventures the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel. Refugio SB is another Santa Barbara beach that many locals seem to choose over Southern California Beaches that are closer to town. The concensus is, that it "just feels different here". There is an abundance of grills with picnic tables dotted with little palm trees along thin strips of green grass.
For us Class C Motorhome folks, we can look forward to campgrounds that bump up right against the beach! There is plenty of sand and surf to wiggle your toes in. This is also a good beach for diving, snorkeling, and trails ready for biking and hiking! El Capitan is another favorite of the locals. Although this is not the biggest Southern California Beach it is a beautiful beach. There is good amount of sand, and a certain level of privacy. Where Refugio SB has its small palm trees, El Capitan is noted for its live oaks and chaparral. There is also a paved bike trail connecting to Refugio SB. This beach is known for its calm waters and is considered to be a nice spot for children to frolic. It is a good place to build sand castles.
Point Mugu State Park is one of our unique Southern California Beaches. This park has 5 miles of rocky bluff and ocean shore line with sandy beaches and some dunes. But, what makes this park a bit unusual are the more than 70 miles of various hiking trails exploring in the inland grass valleys. These valleys are dotted with native plants such as sycamore and oak trees. This 13,300 acre park includes the jagged pinnacles of the Boney Mountains State Wilderness area. So, if you have brought your hiking shoes, or like to mountain bike, this is a good destination that allows you to explore a part of California untouched be development.
There are two campgrounds at Point Mugu State Park that can accept RVs:
Leo Carrillo State Park is just a bit farther south on Hwy 1 and is sort of a sister park to Pt. Mugu. This California State Park has 1.5 miles of beach available for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, surf fishing and beachcombing.
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