Gaviota State Park Campground

Gaviota provides a wide selection of different types of trails for bike riders. There are single track and fire road trails, allowing riders to choose from easy going, leisurely rides through woodland to more technical climbs through mountainous terrain. You can also choose to cycle down the nearby section of highway 101 between Buellton and Goleta.

Gaviota is home to a public fishing pier, where anglers of all skill levels come to show off their stuff. Like most piers, where you cast you reel determines what (and how easily) you catch. Closer to the shore, you can catch surf perch, while beyond the surf you can catch halibut and near the end of the pear (once you fight through the kelp beds) you can find more exotic fish such as mackerel, senorita, kelpfish and others. So...what’s for dinner?

If you wish to hike at Gaviota, then hike you shall! This park takes hikers through its hills and onward to incredible overlooks and hot springs. Our favorite trail is the Gaviota Peak trail. Although the peak is not actually that high, it is the highest in the vicinity. The peak is pretty isolated and therefore rewards hikers with expansive views as far as their eyes can see. With 34 miles of trails, there are definitely a few different hikes worth lacing up for.

Several of Gaviota’s trails allow you to travel by horseback, making the park’s natural beauty doubly as charming. If you don’t have your own horse (or didn’t bring him/her on your camping trip), there are nearby stables that offer both experts and beginners guided trail rides in the area.

Gaviota State Park is a wonderful place to go for a swim in the ocean. Without a ton of surf, Gaviota has made a name for itself as a popular swimming hole. Visitors can wade in the ocean waters, or even hike up to the hot springs for a dip.

Since this state park brings a variety of different habitats together, it makes for a lively and diverse place to spot wildlife. Some highlights that you might see (or hear) include California legless lizards, woodpeckers, moles, bobcats, rattlesnakes, king snakes, striped skunks, coyotes, bats and more.