The best star host camping near Santa Barbara

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A prime location overlooking the Pacific Ocean makes Santa Barbara one of the most popular resort towns in California. Santa Barbara County is also a camper's dream, offering several beautiful state beaches with incredibly popular campsites—try El Capitán State Beach or palm-tree-lined Refugio State Beach just three miles further. While you're on the coast, Channel Islands National Park is also worth a visit during gray whale season, accessed via a half-day whale watching boat trip out of Santa Barbara Harbor or seen on an overnight backcountry camping trip on Santa Cruz Island. For some cool summer camping, hit Los Padres National Forest, where Paradise Campground features well-sized sites with flush toilets and access to the Santa Ynez River.

99% (4.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Santa Barbara

3. Gem of the Bend (Horses welcome)

100%
(16)
43mi from Santa Barbara · 1 site · RV
The Chumash called the peak of Mount Piños the center of the universe, or center of the world depending on the translation. This campground is at the southeast base of this mountain. The San Andreas fault is just about 8 miles away, and many other faults meet nearby. The mountains here are full of geological signs of the Forces that ripped away Santa Barbara from the North American plate as it was flipped upside down. This is the entrance to the Enchanted Forest. Learn more about this land: Lockwood Valley is so close to Los Angeles and other urban areas, but feels 1000 miles away. Our neighborhood is a gem within Lockwood Valley. The community has less than 20 residences so it is very rural, but neighborly. There are horses nearby, you will hear some roosters in the distance, and if you are lucky, you may hear the African lions or wolves from the next canyon over where there is a (fully contained) wildlife sanctuary called Steve Martins Working Wildlife (not the funny guy). Great secluded spot for a fully contained RV. Easy entrance from a good dirt road. The actual property of the site is 1/8 of an acre and is surrounded by forest and fields. A picnic table is nestled in a grove of trees next to a steel fire pit ring. Bring your hammock to relax under big shady piñon pines. The site is about 200 yards from the entrance to the Los Padres National Forest with great hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, hunting, etc. There is currently no privacy barrier between the campsite and the dirt road, but the traffic is extremely minimal. There are two 12’x24’ horse corrals on the property. This area is ideal for horseback trail riding and the campsite location makes for the perfect base camp. This is a superb stargazing spot, far from the city lights. Many amateur astronomers come to this area for the dark skies. At a mile high, nights can be very cold, and in the winter it is possible to get up to a couple feet of snow. Weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow can make the roads and campsite impassable at times so cancellations are possible in this case (this happens a lot less than we would like, of course, because we need the precipitation!).
Pets
from 
$56
 / night

A prime location overlooking the Pacific Ocean makes Santa Barbara one of the most popular resort towns in California. Santa Barbara County is also a camper's dream, offering several beautiful state beaches with incredibly popular campsites—try El Capitán State Beach or palm-tree-lined Refugio State Beach just three miles further. While you're on the coast, Channel Islands National Park is also worth a visit during gray whale season, accessed via a half-day whale watching boat trip out of Santa Barbara Harbor or seen on an overnight backcountry camping trip on Santa Cruz Island. For some cool summer camping, hit Los Padres National Forest, where Paradise Campground features well-sized sites with flush toilets and access to the Santa Ynez River.

99% (4.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Santa Barbara

3. Gem of the Bend (Horses welcome)

100%
(16)
43mi from Santa Barbara · 1 site · RV
The Chumash called the peak of Mount Piños the center of the universe, or center of the world depending on the translation. This campground is at the southeast base of this mountain. The San Andreas fault is just about 8 miles away, and many other faults meet nearby. The mountains here are full of geological signs of the Forces that ripped away Santa Barbara from the North American plate as it was flipped upside down. This is the entrance to the Enchanted Forest. Learn more about this land: Lockwood Valley is so close to Los Angeles and other urban areas, but feels 1000 miles away. Our neighborhood is a gem within Lockwood Valley. The community has less than 20 residences so it is very rural, but neighborly. There are horses nearby, you will hear some roosters in the distance, and if you are lucky, you may hear the African lions or wolves from the next canyon over where there is a (fully contained) wildlife sanctuary called Steve Martins Working Wildlife (not the funny guy). Great secluded spot for a fully contained RV. Easy entrance from a good dirt road. The actual property of the site is 1/8 of an acre and is surrounded by forest and fields. A picnic table is nestled in a grove of trees next to a steel fire pit ring. Bring your hammock to relax under big shady piñon pines. The site is about 200 yards from the entrance to the Los Padres National Forest with great hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, hunting, etc. There is currently no privacy barrier between the campsite and the dirt road, but the traffic is extremely minimal. There are two 12’x24’ horse corrals on the property. This area is ideal for horseback trail riding and the campsite location makes for the perfect base camp. This is a superb stargazing spot, far from the city lights. Many amateur astronomers come to this area for the dark skies. At a mile high, nights can be very cold, and in the winter it is possible to get up to a couple feet of snow. Weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow can make the roads and campsite impassable at times so cancellations are possible in this case (this happens a lot less than we would like, of course, because we need the precipitation!).
Pets
from 
$56
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best star host camping near Santa Barbara guide

Where to go

Channel Islands National Park

Craving some remote camping? Each of the five Channel Islands has one established campground, while Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands offer limited backcountry options. Scorpion Canyon and Del Norte Campgrounds on Santa Cruz are most popular, both accessed by foot, private boat, or kayak.

Los Padres National Forest

Choose from more than 60 campgrounds, including dispersed campsites, in Los Padres. Paradise Campground features spacious sites and plentiful shade from massive oak trees with the Santa Ynez River close by for fishing and swimming. Flush toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables make this campground a comfy piece of tent camping heaven.

Santa Barbara Area State Beaches

El Capitán offers 131 sites for tent and RV camping, all set among sycamore and oak trees, while three miles further, Refugio State Beach caters to angler campers who love this stretch of coastline dotted with hiking trails and picnic tables.

When to go

Springtime typically draws visitors to Santa Barbara for the annual International Film Festival and the Vintners Festival Weekend, while the warmth of June brings the outdoor California Wine Festival. Summer is, of course, peak season, when beaches are most crowded and campgrounds fill up. Expect mild weather all year, with rainfall usually between December and February. Camping is available year-round on all five islands in Channel Islands National Park. 

Know before you go

  • The Channel Islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats or private boats, and campers must secure advance transportation for any overnight trip.
  • Advanced camping reservations are required for all Channel Islands campgrounds. No public transportation is available on the islands, and bicycles are not permitted.
  • Visitors can reserve campsites at El Capitán State Beach six months in advance.
  • Dogs are allowed in the El Capitán campgrounds and day-use areas, but are not permitted on the beach.
  • Always safely store all food and secure trash in animal- and bird-proof containers.

Nearby attractions

  • Discover the beauty of coastal camping at Rincon Parkway. Set up camp along the scenic shoreline, indulge in beach activities, and fall asleep to the soothing sound of ocean waves. Embrace the laid-back atmosphere and create lasting memories in this coastal paradise.

  • Experience coastal camping bliss at Faria Beach Park. Set up camp near sandy shores, enjoy beach activities, and relish breathtaking sunsets. Embrace the laid-back beach lifestyle, listen to the soothing ocean waves, and create unforgettable memories in this beachside paradise.