El Capitán State Beach
- Status
- Open with restrictions
- Location
- Hwy 101 Exit 117, 17 mi west of Santa Barbara
- Day use
- $10 or $3/hour
- Camping
- Partly open; lower loop closed
- Surfing
- Fishing
- Camping
- Tide pools
- Accessible
- Restrooms
About this beach
Status: Open with restrictions (checked October 26, 2026). El Capitán reopened on June 23, 2026, after infrastructure improvements. It's fully open for day use and partly open for camping; the lower loop (sites 1–28) is closed for trail construction, and the pedestrian path into the park is only partly open.
El Capitán State Beach is off Highway 101 about 17 miles west of Santa Barbara (Exit 117). It mixes rocky tide pools with sandy beach, and it's used for swimming, fishing, surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling and diving. The Bill Wallace Trail reaches about 2,500 acres of backcountry.
Facilities
There are restrooms and showers, outdoor showers, drinking water and a camp store. Free beach wheelchairs are available from a ranger or lifeguard.
Fees
Day use is $10 per vehicle or $3 an hour.
Getting there & access
Getting there
From Highway 101 in either direction, take Exit 117 and head toward the ocean.
Closures
The lower campground loop (sites 1–28) is closed for trail construction, and the pedestrian path into the park is partly closed. Follow the signed walkway.
- Phone
- (805) 968-1033
What's here
Tide pools
Rocky tide pools and sandy beach
Camping
Tent, group and hike-and-bike sites with RV access
Surfing
Surfing and windsurfing
Fishing
Fishing from the beach
Restrooms
Restrooms, showers and a camp store
Accessible
Free beach wheelchairs from rangers or lifeguards
Rules & official resources
- Lower campground loop (sites 1–28) closed for trail constructionparks.ca.gov ↗
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Pros who serve El Capitán State Beach
- TMTwins Marine Detailingfrom $90/ftWestlake VillageAt their shop, or comes to your boatEmailDiver services · Launch support · Saltwater rinse
- ATAbove the Waterline, Ltd.Santa Barbara CountyNot on Dockya yet
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