Best Campgrounds near Goleta, CA

The coastal town of Goleta has several good camping spots within a short drive. Point Mugu State Park has trails that take you through coastal areas and hills covered with chaparral. Many campers head to State Beach Campground when they want to be right by the ocean. El Capitán State Beach Campground sits a few miles from Goleta and has campsites where you can see and easily walk to the beach. The campgrounds around here typically have basic needs covered - restrooms, showers, and places to eat outside. You won't have trouble driving to most campgrounds as the roads are in good shape for regular cars. Some campsites require carrying your gear a little way from where you park. If you want privacy, you'll find some sites are better than others - it really depends on which campground you choose. Most areas have big trees that give good shade. The sites work for tents and smaller RVs, though bigger rigs might have fewer options. You should reserve ahead of time, especially in summer when it gets busy. The weather around Goleta stays mild enough for camping all year, with winter being less crowded and better for hiking. If you forget something, El Dorado Outpost isn't far and sells camping supplies. Goleta's camping options work well whether you're staying for a weekend or longer.

Best Camping Sites Near Goleta, California (117)

    1. Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

    57 Reviews
    Santa Ynez, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 686-5055

    "Fire pit at 409 put in a strange location so that we is located on the back side of our trailer. Really no other way we could have configured it."

    "We stayed during the recent storm of the century in Central California so weren’t able to take advantage of what the park has to offer. The sites are very long and not too jammed together."

    2. El Capitán State Beach Campground

    46 Reviews
    Goleta, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 585-1869

    $45 - $320 / night

    "Lovely bike/walking path. Be prepared for the mist and put your food away, so the little animals don’t eat it. Just a short distance from Haskell Beach and Old Town Goleta."

    "It's convenient, easy drive-up and set up tent camping. The campground and the bathrooms are well taken care of and clean. It's also nice that the beach is nearby."

    3. Refugio State Beach Campground

    25 Reviews
    Solvang, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 968-1033

    $350 / night

    "Just north of Goleta and a good relaxing pitstop or place to stay for a couple nights. Highway 1 is near so you will hear traffic but not so loud you can’t enjoy the night."

    "Low key but nice beach side campground along California’s Central Coast. Not to far from Santa Barbara. A bit of a surfers paradise because of some of the spots not far from the campsite."

    4. Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara

    19 Reviews
    Goleta, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 879-5751

    "Goleta, CA. Spacious sites. Very clean. Nicely wooded. Pool, jacuzzi, laundry-all well maintained. Hiking and biking trails. Short hike down to very nice beach at the El Capitan State Park."

    "If you find yourself up near Santa Barbara, this luxury RV Resort and Campground is a real splurge."

    5. Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach

    47 Reviews
    Carpinteria, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 968-1033

    $45 - $180 / night

    "We live in nearby Santa Barbara, but will use Carp State Beach as a midway meeting point when friends from Southern California and Central California meet up."

    "I naively thought the campgrounds wouldn’t be open to capacity and I was hoping for camping not so close to other campers."

    6. Los Prietos

    12 Reviews
    Goleta, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $40 - $44 / night

    "We took a small drive and we must’ve seen 60 more turkeys crossing the road.

    We stayed in the smaller loop and loved it. Every campsite up there was taken and it didn’t feel crowded at all."

    "In walking the campground there are some spaces I definitely wouldn't want, but there are some great spots here. The outer campsites have plenty of space, privacy, and tree coverage."

    7. Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Summerland, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 966-9954

    "We needed an overnight in Santa Barbara and chose this convenient location. Yes, there is highway noise but it is like white noise to me."

    "It's right in the city - near to the beach and zoo (biking distance for us).  Only flaw is it's right next to the freeway.  But it's ideal if you want to visit Santa Barbara!"

    8. Paradise Campground

    9 Reviews
    Goleta, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $40 - $84 / night

    "Each campsite is very nice with shade under large oak trees, fire pits, bbq, and nearby trash and water.  Bathrooms were clean.  Camp host very nice."

    "Nice walk through a secret tunnel out of the park to a little river nearby. Would stay here again."

    9. Thousand Trails Rancho Oso

    7 Reviews
    Goleta, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "This Campground belongs to the Thousand Trails network. We use it quite often as it is only 2 hours from our house. The campground is nice."

    "I played some mini golf, right next to the horseshoe pits, but other amenities you use at your own risk. The store, and kitchen are closed."

    10. Earl Warren RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Santa Barbara, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 350-4556

    $70 / night

    "Just a simple RV park outside of the campgrounds! I was happy to stay here in my van while in town to work. Great hot showers and quiet. Shore power plug in."

    "Very quiet, next to the golf course. Shade available at some parts of the lot but not all."

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Recent Reviews near Goleta, CA

756 Reviews of 117 Goleta Campgrounds



Guide to Goleta

Camping near Goleta, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Boating and Fishing: At Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, you can enjoy boating and fishing. One reviewer mentioned, "The lake is perfect for boating, but since it’s a drinking water reservoir, there is no body contact with this body of water."
  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails at Point Mugu State Park. A camper noted, "Great location. Less than 1/2 mile to the beach, hiking and MTB/gravel trails accessible from the campground."
  • Beach Activities: Visit Thornhill Broome Beach for a day of sun and sand. One happy camper said, "Awesome spot for boondocking! Can't beat camping on the beach."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning views at El Capitán State Beach Campground. A reviewer shared, "First night unobstructed views of sunset over the ocean."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities at Lake Casitas Recreation Area. One visitor mentioned, "The sites are clean and the pads are very flat. Makes leveling a breeze."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Families enjoy the spacious sites at Jalama Beach County Park. A reviewer noted, "Jalama Beach offers great walks along a long beach that is nestled in a cozy bay."

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campsites: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Lopez Lake Recreation Area said, "We found a HUGE park... the sites were closely packed."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Wheeler Gorge Campground pointed out, "No running water available; fire ban... a lot of the sites are very close together."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife, especially at Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. One camper warned, "There are black bears that roam the area so be sure to prepare for that."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach. A family shared, "Great location, spots are so close to the beach with no bluff and stairs."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned. A camper at Jalama Beach County Park mentioned, "Surfers, couples & families can enjoy this beautiful place."
  • Pack Essentials: Bring everything you need, as some campgrounds have limited stores. A visitor at Lake Casitas Recreation Area noted, "The camp store offers enough grocery supplies in case you forgot something."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Leo Carrillo State Park Campground said, "The sites are small. It is very difficult to back in to a spot when you have campers across from your campsite."
  • Be Prepared for Fees: Some campgrounds charge extra fees for pets or amenities. A visitor at Lake Casitas Recreation Area mentioned, "They nickel and dime a lot of things, showers pets."
  • Enjoy the Scenery: Many RVers love the views. A camper at El Capitán State Beach Campground said, "Overall a great experience."

Camping in Goleta, CA, has something for everyone, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Just be sure to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Goleta, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Goleta, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 117 campgrounds and RV parks near Goleta, CA and 10 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Goleta, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Goleta, CA is Cachuma Lake Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 57 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Goleta, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Goleta, CA.

What parks are near Goleta, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Goleta, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.