Carpinteria State Beach

Carpinteria State Beach is a long stretch of sand at the foot of Palm Avenue in Carpinteria, about 12 miles south of Santa Barbara. The state beach was founded in 1932 and has about a mile of beach with a busy campground right behind the sand.

Who comes here

Swimming, surf fishing and tide pooling are the main draws. Campers fill four campground loops year-round. At low tide, the tide pool area has sea stars, anemones, crabs, snails, octopus and sea urchins. Seals and sea lions are often seen from December to May, and gray whales sometimes pass offshore. The Carpinteria harbor seal preserve and rookery lies just south of the park.

Day use

Day use runs from 7 a.m. to sunset. The day-use area has beach access, restrooms, barbecues, picnic tables and two covered picnic ramadas you can reserve. A boardwalk from the day-use area provides several accessible routes onto the sand, and a beach wheelchair is available.

Before you go

Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash and aren't allowed on the beach. Alcohol isn't permitted in the day-use areas. Fires are allowed only in established fire rings or camp stoves, never on the beach, and you can't gather firewood in the park. State Parks warns of vehicle break-ins, so keep valuables out of sight.