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State Park

Photo: Luke FaraoneCC BY-SA 3.0Wikimedia Commons

El Capitán State Beach

California · CA

1

Campgrounds

Official sources & verification

Managed by California Department of Parks and Recreation

Verify before you go

Source of truth

We display cached information from agency feeds. Hours, fees, permits, closures, fire restrictions, and conditions change without notice. Outdoors is not the permitting authority. Confirm current conditions for this park using the links above before you go — you are responsible for compliance. Last verified by us: Oct 25, 2026. Spot an error in our data?

About

El Capitán State Beach is a coastal area along the Pacific Ocean in California, named after the nearby El Capitan Peak. This state park features a sandy beach, rocky tidepools, and groves of sycamore and oak trees lining El Capitan Creek. The park is known for its ocean views and diverse ecosystems. Visitors can engage in activities such as swimming, fishing, surfing, picnicking, and camping on the bluffs overlooking the ocean. The park offers facilities for relaxation and recreation, with access to the beach and tidepools for exploration. Parking is available, but it is advisable to check for specific regulations or availability. Weather conditions can vary, so prepare accordingly. Please verify hours, fees, and closures with the official state site before your visit.

Source: parks.ca.gov

From Wikipedia

El Capitán State Beach is a protected beach in the state park system of California. The most easterly of three state parks along the Gaviota Coast, it is located about 20 miles (32 km) west of downtown Santa Barbara, in Santa Barbara County. The beach is named for José Francisco Ortega, who retired from the Spanish Army in 1795 with the rank of captain and received the Rancho Nuestra Señora del Refugio as a land grant.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify alerts and operational details with the managing agency below.

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Hunting in this park

This park overlaps hunting unit

During hunting seasons, wear blaze orange and check regulations — see the California hunting page

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