Top Cabins near Santa Barbara, CA

Recent Cabin Reviews In Santa Barbara

195 Reviews of 12 Santa Barbara Campgrounds

• S

  Susie B.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 30, 2024

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Please Don’t Tell Anyone About This — OOPS

  This is tragi-comedy: I was invited to a wedding in Santa Barbara. It was summer and the most fleabitten motel prices were astronomical. I began to look at campsites within driving distance, I was desperate. Booked Catchuma and thought, hoorah, I’ve defeated the tourism trap. 

  Well… from the moment I arrived . . . I really could not care less about the wedding. My god. I think I’ll leave it at that. 

  Bring binos. Boat, bring your canoe/kayak.

• J

  Jane P.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 28, 2024

  Ventura Beach RV Resort

  Worst place ever

  Crowded sites, horrible check in, rude people, owner is extremely unpleasant

• 

  Monica E.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 3, 2024

  Jalama Beach County Park

  Never disappoints

  Jalama Beach offers great walks along a long beach that is nestled in a cozy bay. Surfers, couples & families can enjoy this beautiful place. Watch for tar on the sand & pack some petroleum jelly to help remove it in case you step on it barefoot. There’s a small freshwater stream that flows right into the shore where your pets & kids like to splash around & play. Lots of driftwood & rocks pepper the shore so bring water shoes.

• 

  Patrick J.

  Legend

  

  May. 9, 2024

  Flying Flags RV Resort

  Always a good stay

  Having stayed here a few times, it is always fun. Check in was nice and efficient. 

  We had a pull trough site that is on the southern part of the park. This is normally more quiet and has better maneuvering room. Friends joined us in the retro Airstream. Nothing but good reports from them. Wineries and breweries located  very close by, so slaking a thirst is never a problem. I'm sure we will be back.

• 

  Jenny S.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 2, 2024

  Songdog Campground

  Spacious and beautiful private property. Friendly, accommodating hosts!

  I stayed for a quick stop overnight and found the site as described. Just a table, fire pit, and water spigot.  The hosts are very accommodating and made sure I was able to find my site after dark and were very responsive to my texts!  Cell service was fine and I felt perfectly safe as a solo female!  I really enjoyed the ranch dogs coming to hang out with me! I'll be back to try one of the other sites with more amazing views!

• 

  Benjamin J.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 12, 2024

  Arroyo Hondo Vista Point Rest / Camp area

  Can’t enter the site

  Road closed

• 

  Khaled A.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 6, 2024

  Ventura Ranch KOA

  Nice Getaway!

  Quiet and nice 2-day stay. Alexi from reception was super nice and courteous. We couldn’t be more grateful to her! Our lot was secluded, private and close to the entrance/exit. The only thing was the unlevel ground we were on. Our RV was a simple 30’ rental without any leveling. Many peacock’s roam around the premises and they can be very intrusive! Playgrounds, zip lining and a massive bounce pad were all on site. Make sure you hike down to the creek!

• 

  Patrick J.

  Legend

  

  Feb. 18, 2024

  Ocean Mesa Campground at El Capitan

  Our go to place

  This was another trip here. We needed a quick getaway, and this is always a good choice for us. Check in was easy, they even changed our site after showing all that were available. The was February, so lots of available sites. We will be back!

• 

  Shari G.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 19, 2023

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Huge County Campground with Numerous Site Types

  The lovely county run park in the hills above the Santa Barbara coastline, is a great campground offering a wide variety of camping experiences from full hook ups to grass covered spaces under the trees along the shores of this lovely reservoir. The sites offer the usual camp picnic table and fire ring, and the many group sites offer large grills and even a few picnic shelters. 

  The sunshine is typically abundant in this California park, and even without full hook ups you can easily get all the power you need with an appropriately sized solar panel system. We’ve run on solar for over 10 years, and it saves us thousands of dollars each year for our full-time camping life. 

  The flush bathrooms are clean and spacious. Water spigots were plentiful throughout the campground. The coin operated showers got the job done, but since we were there during a chilly March, things could have been warmer. But hey, everything important got clean… 

  The lake is perfect for boating, but since it’s a drinking water reservoir, there is no body contact with this body of water. So plan on using the campground pool to cool off during the summer months. Hiking and mountain biking trails are abundant throughout the area, and kayaking, canoeing, fishing or sailing on the lake is the perfect way to spend the afternoon. 

  The campground offers some excellent yurts and cabins for nightly rent right on the shores of the lake. These are often booked out so plan ahead. 

  The camp store offers enough grocery supplies in case you forgot something, including ice, snacks, fire wood, and gas.  There is also a cool pub down by the boat ramp which offers live music in the weekends.  The nearby tourist town of Solvang offers a great day trip to sample the amazing Dutch pastry treats, pick up some groceries, wine tasting, or a night out on the town.

• 

  Bryan S.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 14, 2023

  Ventura Ranch KOA

  Fun stuff to do

  Nice campground. Plenty of things to do. Jump pad, pool, zip line, playground, creek. Front desk staff was exceptional. Few cons. Park was a bit dirty lots of trash around and generally not very clean. Bathrooms were really gross. Facilities were a little run down. Our spot was tiny but most others seem descent sized

• 

  Lee D.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 13, 2023

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Quiet in the off-season

  General: Many different options from tent sites to premium tent sites, water/electric, and FHU sites in addition to yurts and cabins. 

  Site Quality: Varies greatly depending on what type of site you choose. The only sites with gravel paved pads were the ones with water/electric hookups or FHU; all others were grass. Most seemed level. It was raining heavily when we were there and some of the sites were flooded. Very little to no separation/privacy between sites. We were in a w/e site, and it was long enough to easily accommodate two camper vans.

  Activities/Amenities: Off-season, everything was closed but in-season, there is a marina, boat rentals, restaurant, store, gas station, pool, and laundry. 

  Bath/Shower house: Clean but very basic. No hooks or shelves for toiletries. Cold water only. The shower looked nice but did not use so cannot comment on it. 

  IMO, the best options are the premier tent sites, yurts, and cabins as they offer the best lake views. We had not planned on camping here but after evacuating from Jalama Beach, we were told this park would honor our reservation. It rained most of the time we were there, and it was off-season, so I imagine it would be an entirely different experience in the summer when all amenities were offered and the campground was full.

• B

  Bert G.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 20, 2023

  Jalama Beach County Park

  Nice smaller campground!

  Smaller campground with nice store and burger joint. Great sunsets and wide sandy beach.

• S

  Sarah S.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 27, 2023

  Jalama Beach County Park

  Not my favorite

  Between sunset and nighttime sandstorms (which was MISERABLE in a tent) combined with a beach full of jellyfish and tarantulas… yes, for sure my least favorite camping experience.

• G

  Genesis L.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 6, 2023

  Arroyo Hondo Vista Point Rest / Camp area

  CLOSED

  Area was closed off. Couldn’t stay at this location

• 

  Jenn-X •.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 28, 2023

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Cachuma Lake

  Sprawling campgrounds.

• j

  jerry

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 6, 2023

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Camp ground site 143 partial hook ups

  Stayed at camp site #143 no shade trees very dusty site. Rental boats pontoon type are brand new. Boat rental opens at 7am close at 7pm boat harbor is very nice with new boat docks. If going fishing the K boats are nice but anchor line to short to use I bring my own 50’ of anchor rope and use their anchor. Came hear to get away from all the illegal fire works where I live. Not one fireworks at the park yea the dog had a great nights sleep. Plus the swimming pool was great open from 12 noon to 5:30pm they have plenty of chairs and have life guards

• L

  Lana W.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 1, 2023

  Ocean Mesa Campground at El Capitan

  Luxury campground near Santa Barbara

  The staff here were very pleasant, and the sites were beautiful paved, level sites with privacy hedges between each (at least where we were). The bath house was very clean and showers were spacious and clean. Kids were having a great time at the pool. I wanted to use the hot tub, but there were 5 little kids in it. There was a big, CLEAN dishwashing sink. The laundry room was small, but everything worked great. The only real negative was the cost which was astronomical, but keeps it nice.

• L

  Lana W.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 1, 2023

  Ventura Beach RV Resort

  Party in Ventura

  This campground had nice facilities, but the general store was minimal due to the old one burning down while trying to dry it out after the flooding. The pool was still closed and there was no pancake breakfast. The bathrooms were clean and in good working order (you need a code to get in). The sites were tightly packed together and there were lots of annoying teenagers running around and music blaring, kids on bikes and scooters, etc. It did quiet down at 10:00ish, so that you could hear the cars rushing along the freeway all night. There was a movie playing that night with free popcorn. The beach and town are a hike from the campground. The site was a double back in, but our sewer hose wasn’t long enough to reach the hookup. Even if we were looking for that atmosphere, the cost was absolutely not worth it. However, we took a tip from another reviewer and went to the Saturday farmers market which was fantastic!

• 

  Kimberly W.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 2, 2023

  Ocean Mesa Campground at El Capitan

  Horrible

  Horrible customer service. Beware if you try to cancel within the 14 days per the policy, they will not refund your money if you have modified your reservation at all. They stole my money and cancelled the reservation on me without me asking, after hanging up on me. Raelynn who claims to be the manger is not professional at all. This place is a joke! I will not do business with a company who operates this way. I suggest that the owners take a good look at what else shady accounting practices may be going on. I also suggest you update your cancellation policy to reflect"the rules" so that they are clear. I have never been treated so poorly. Save your money and go elsewhere.

• K

  Kristine V.

  Traveler

  

  May. 8, 2023

  Ocean Mesa Campground at El Capitan

  Would stay here again!

  Lovely place and lovely staff! It’s a bit pricey but you get what you pay for. They also have heated pool and jacuzzi, clean showers, and bathrooms. Trail and dog park available. Just kinda sucks you hear the cars passing at the 101. But I’d still come back.

• 

  John C.

  Guide

  

  May. 3, 2023

  Point Mugu Recreation Facility

  Great Location

  This is a wonderful campground right next to the beach however it is only available to the military and their families. The spots are all paved with most having all the hookups but it is in need of updates. You can’t beat the location though.

• 

  Shari G.

  Legend

  

  May. 1, 2023

  Jalama Beach County Park

  Adorable Beach Campground at the End of a Gorgeous Drive

  I’m sure I could imagine a more idyllic central coast beachside campground, but it would probably look a lot like this one. The road winds for 14 miles through farms and the California coastal sage scrub ecosystem which when we were there, April, was just going off with wild flowers.  Gorgeous sunsets to boot!

  There are very tightly packed full hook up sites on the upper loop, know your backing up skills, in addition to some dry camping sites down closer to the water for those running off solar power or just old-school tenting.  In a twist of irony, the lower loop sites without electricity offer more space than those with hook ups...go solar folks!  The beachfront sites are always the first to book out, and are truly lovely. 

  The camp store and cafe has a few good grocery options, in addition to ice, wine and beer, and also serves the famous Jamala burger, even in a vegetarian version!  It’s a delicious option for when you don’t feel like cooking. Definitely check this place out, it’s exactly what you imagine a beach side burger to be. 

  The flush bathrooms are clean and the coin operated showers were efficient - when they say 3 minutes, they mean it, but they were hot and clean.  Great dishwashing sink too!

  There aren’t a lot of hiking or biking options in this park, simply the beach or walking on the road. This beach is popular with surfers and is a great spot to just walk up and down and do a little tide pooling. The Amtrak train goes through a couple of times a day, but since it’s a passenger rail it doesn’t offer the long and annoying disruptions of a freight train. 

  The closest services are in Lompoc or Buellton, where you can find groceries, gas and restaurants -- everything that the camper might need -- but it's a heck of a drive there, so stock up before you come down.

• 

  AM S.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 15, 2023

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Wholesome experience

  Something for everyone, no matter your level of camping. Staff was great when my car battery died too.

• n

  nicole

  Scout

  

  Apr. 12, 2023

  Ventura Ranch KOA

  Great for families

  We are at site 53. Close to restrooms and showers. Our kids love all the extra activities like the playground and jumping pillow. They are too short for the high ropes course but would love to do it when tall enough. The pool isn’t open yet either but they are having a great time with what is available.

• R

  Roxy

  Traveler

  

  Apr. 8, 2023

  Reyes Creek Campground

  Nice stay but cold

  Reyes Creek was great. The drive was nice, very scenic. The campsite was nice but small. Campsites are very, very close together. Some are smaller than others. Especially closer to the creek are smaller. The bathrooms are very clean for a campsite bathroom. Jade was very helpful and informative. She told us about two trails, we did the lighter one that was very nice. I can see this place being very nice in the summer. The weather on the apps are wrong. You have to google a few things to get the right weather. It was much colder than expected at night, woke up to 29 degrees F and ice on my tent and car windows. Other people with us said they had ice in their tent.

• D

  Debbie M.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 9, 2023

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Excellent location

  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. Immaculate bathrooms and showers. Close to Los Olivos (great wine tasting) and Solvang. Disc gold course.

• 

  Brett D.

  Legend

  

  Feb. 16, 2023

  Ocean Mesa Campground at El Capitan

  Very nice campground

  Campground is pretty great. Had hiking trails from the campground that have amazing views. Very close to the beach. Sites are large and spacious. Would for sure come back here again.