Campgrounds Near Santa Barbara and Carpinteria

[Yianni]

Does anyone have a recommendation for campgrounds near Santa Barbara or Carpinteria? On the Ocean would be nice. Either dry or hookup is fine.
We're looking for next October so not worried about Summer crowds. Carpinteria State Beach looked nice but they have a 30 ft. limit. Our Cyclone 3010 is about 35.
Thanks for any help!

 

[Bob&Patty]

"Morro Bay Dunes" in Morro Bay has large pull thru spaces. Nice and clean. You can walk to the ocean. Morro Bay has a nice "little sea port" like town to walk in. Not far from Hearst Castle or Salvang (Buellton). Its about 2 hours north of Santa Barbara on 1/101.

 

[Larryheadhunter]

Hi Yianni,
You might take a look at Paso Robles if it's not too far north for you and you like wine, as it's called Wine Country RV Resort. Also you can check out Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton, 45 minutes north of SB, one block from Solvang a Danish tourist town, and the location of the 2nd Annual So Cal Heartland Rally Oct. 15-17,2010, in case you are in the neighborhood, LOL. In Ventura, the Ventura Beach RV Park is a few blocks from the ocean but next to the 101 fwy, so a little noisy, but close to the nice town of Ventura, 30 minutes south of SB.

Santa Barbara has a few RV parks but you are looking at close to $90 or more a nite. Also, go to www.rvparkreviews.com and look at Santa Barbara RV campgrounds. You will have several fine choices. Ocean Mesa Campground at El Capitan, Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, Rancho Oso, and nearby Pismo Beach RV Resort, but the worst is Sunrise RV Park, so don't stay there.

 

[Two Hands]

Refugio and El Capitan State Parks are both on the ocean and just north, actually west, of Santa Barbara, California. No hookups, but very nice. There is a nice, fairly new RV park located across the freeway from El Capitan and has all the conveniences. Cachuma Lake County park is just over the mountains and a short drive from Santa Barbara. It has full hookup sites as well as partial hookups.

 

[Yianni]

Refugio and El Capitan State Parks are both on the ocean and just north, actually west, of Santa Barbara, California. No hookups, but very nice. There is a nice, fairly new RV park located across the freeway from El Capitan and has all the conveniences. Cachuma Lake County park is just over the mountains and a short drive from Santa Barbara. It has full hookup sites as well as partial hookups.

Thanks everyone for the good help. I've looked at all the state parks and they are booked solid. There may be a cancellation at El Capitan.
Two Hands, do you happen to remember the name of the place across the street in case we don't find a cancellation?
Thanks again!

 

[Two Hands]

The name of it is Ocean Mesa Campground at El Capitan. I could not find it using usual searches but did find it on a rv parks review site. It is on a bluff or mesa above and across the 101 freeway from El Capitan State Park. Pricey at $90 per night in April according to one review. We visited our motor home friends there about two years ago. Very nice view of the ocean, but noise from the freeway, and too expensive.