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The best camping in Cachuma Lake, CA guide
Overview
About
In the shadow of the San Rafael and Santa Ynez Mountains, between Santa Barbara and Solvang, Cachuma Lake attracts visitors throughout the year. Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is a great place to stay the night, with tent sites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabins with kitchenettes, and even yurts. Other on-site features include a general store, a laundromat, restrooms, hot showers, a dump station, and a marina with kayak and boat rentals, plus fishing licenses. Campers who prefer the peace of staying at a nearby Hipcamp instead can still come to take advantage of the facilities as day visitors.
Cachuma Lake Cabin Rentals
In the San Ynez Mountains, a short jaunt from Santa Barbara, Cachuma Lake offers eight cabins run by the County of Santa Barbara Parks department. All come with electricity, en-suite bathrooms, fire pits, and kitchenettes with cookware, stoves, and microwaves. Three of the cabins (Condor, Eagle, and Falcon) sleep six, with a mix of queen beds, sleeper sofas, and bunk beds. The Heron, Kestrel, Raven, and Raven cabins each have two queen beds for up to four guests. There are also two ADA-accessible cabins: Hawk, which sleeps four (with a queen bed and a sleeper sofa), and Merlin, which has a queen bed for up to two guests. Towels, linens, and toiletries aren’t provided, so you’ll need to bring your own or opt for an area Hipcamp instead, many of which come with everything you’ll need for a cozy getaway.
Where to go
The Southern California Coast
While Los Angeles is the first thing that comes to many people's minds when they think of Southern California, this region is also home to plenty of quieter beaches. Some, such as Emma Wood State Beach and Silver Strand State Beach, even have camping areas.
The Central Coast
Up the coast from the Lake Cachuma area, from Ventura County clear up to Monterey Bay, California's Central Coast offers lots of sandy beaches, plus miles of postcard-worthy stretches of cliff-lined shore. The Big Sur area in the northern part of the region is particularly popular, with lots of forest camping and some of the best views in the state.
Los Padres National Forest
Lake Cachuma sits just next to this expansive national forest, where you'll find hiking trails galore. Los Padres National Forest also offers a range of camping options, some with coastal views.
When to go
Cachuma Lake is a year-round destination, with cool, sometimes rainy winters and hot, dry summers. It gets crowded with overnight and day visitors in the summer months, while winters don’t generally see crowds. While boating is popular during the high season, swimming in the lake is prohibited, as it’s used as a source of drinking water. A pool is open during the summer months instead.