RV Parks Santa Barbara, CA

Recent RV Reviews in Santa Barbara

735 Reviews of 77 Santa Barbara Campgrounds

• 

  Jon S.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 15, 2024

  Ventura Beach RV Resort

  Ditto no laundry right now

  Ditto what others say…clean, great noise, pricey $142/night for Sprinter, laundry is being remodeled right now

• 

  ian S.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 11, 2024

  Songdog Ranch

  Politicized campground

  Not a bad campground, but driving in, the owner has large political flags flying. In these highly divisive times, I don't want to stay at places that divide our country, I want to get away from that. Not recommended.

• 

  Spicy N.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 3, 2024

  Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach

  Not Worth staying here

  Facilities are run down. This places needs a major make over! Bathrooms are dirty, showers are gross. Sinks to wash dishes are disgusting & right next to dumpsters. You have no privacy and sites are right on top of each other…you’re basically in a parking lot. Barking dogs right next to you can get pretty annoying pretty fast. NOT WORTH the $70 a night fee. I would only stay here here as a LAST resort

• 

  AnnaEvan S.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 15, 2024

  Campo Alto Campground

  Great Escape!

  This is a wonderful campground if you're looking to escape the crowds elsewhere. We were in spot 4 which was right next to the check in board. Despite the close proximity to the road the site was very big and had plenty of trees to throw our hammocks up and relax. Next time we would likely pick spots 6-8 or 13-17 as they were a little further into the campground and away from the main road.

  There is plenty of firewood to gather but I may suggest a small hatchet.

  The vault toilets were clean enough for vault toilets.

  My husband and I stayed Saturday to Monday and found that only a few hunters were left Sunday night and Monday morning and we enjoyed walking through the campground and checking out all the small viewpoints through the trees to the valleys below. The group sites looked spacious and awesome as well!

  Pine Mountain Club was close, quaint, and the people we met were friendly.

  We are keeping this spot in our back pockets for the next time we want to escape the busy city life!

• 

  Michelle M.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 27, 2024

  Lake Casitas Recreation Area

  A beautiful Lake

  This is a nicely maintained municipal water reservoir with a very large lake. No swimming allowed, but boating is. Go figure.

  There are campgrounds with hookups that are only available for RVs. There is one Campground -Indian- that has a mixture of tent and RV sites with hookups available but it was under maintenance when I was here this weekend. So all the rest of the areas that do have hookups do not accommodate my truck and tent rig. And there are no 110V or 30a outlets available for people who are traveling light -with solar and a minimum amount of panels, where you might need to plug in once in awhile- they can't cover you here. Too bad no one thought of that when they were designing this place, because it's an awfully big place with a lot of sites.

  So we're leaving today to find another place to weekend.

  But two nights next to the lake, in the campground called Mallard was lovely as can be. Next time I'll come out with more panels to keep my pair of EcoFlow RiverPro solar generators topped up.

• 

  ArtisticArtsy A.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 22, 2024

  El Capitán State Beach Campground

  Weekend getaway

  Clean and very nice view. Easy access to the beach.

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 21, 2024

  Wheeler Gorge Campground

  Peaceful and Calm!

  We loved camping here. The whole area has a really peaceful and mellow vibe. We reserved site #49 which was plenty big enough for our 26ft class c, but the drive through the campground to get to the site was a little narrow and tight, wouldn't recommend for larger RVs. This end of the campground is right next to the emergency exit, too, but they keep that gate locked, otherwise it would be an easy swoop in. Camp host was really nice, campground was huge, nice that there's a creek running through it which comes in handy in the hot summer months. You have to drive over some creek runoff at parts, no problem.

  There's zero cell reception in this entire area, the roads leading up to the campground as well.

  Fees are $35 or $37 for weekends/holidays. Pricey for what you get and for what we're used to paying for a forest service campground.

• B

  Bryce M.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 5, 2024

  Military Park Vandenberg AFB Pine Canyon Campground

  Nice and quiet

  Located on Vandenberg base which requires a membership card (military I.D.) This helps keep the camp site more private. No one goes here. It is tranquil and has trails to hike and lakes to fish in. Hunting is also allowed during select seasons. If you like quiet and keep to yourself, this is the place. There are no trash cans and a permit is required for campfire. There are a couple of port-a-pots and they are very clean. Go SpaceForce! Lastly, watch out for poison oak. Stay on the trails and all is well. Semper Fi.

• 

  Kim N.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 3, 2024

  Thornhill Broome Beach — Point Mugu State Park

  Great site with no amenities

  Loved the quietness of this campsite. No water, no dump station, only portable bathrooms on site from what we can see. We were in an RV so we didn't mind at all. Went to Sycamore campground to fill up on water. Youre packed right on the beach next to the sand. Combo of tent and rv campers. Wifi is great at this location. We have tmobile

• 

  Kim N.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 3, 2024

  Sycamore Canyon Campground — Point Mugu State Park

  no wifi

  No tmobile wifi. we dropped by to fill up water since we were camping at thornhill Broome. Water refill was free. We didn't  dump there. Can't comment on anything else.

• 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.

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 3, 2024

  Camp Comfort Park

  Nice Little Campground

  This is such a nice and small campground, it's low key and seems to be overlooked because there always seems to be sites available.

  We stayed in site #13, which is a weird "pull in" site, which in all the traveling we've done, we've never stayed in one before. So you pull in forward (not back in), because  all your hookups are to the left of the site, on the driver's side.  Which is fine, except that unless you have a long sewer hose, your hose won't reach from the back of your RV to the sewer connection. Luckily there were vacant spots when we left, so we backed into a vacant spot with a  traditional setup and dumped on our way out.

  The best part of this campground is the creek that runs behind it. It's so nice and refreshing on a hot day, and safe for little kids to splash around in. There's also a park, day use area, playground, and some sort of meeting spot adjacent to this campground. The showers were nice (coin operated) and as a full timer I always love to see laundry machines at campgrounds.

  Pricey, but that's just the norm now.  I think our one night was about $50.  Great little place.

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 3, 2024

  Faria Beach Park

  Beachy casual

  I'm giving this place 5 stars, because even though it's cramped and packed and awkward to maneuver through, it's got the casual and fun beach vibe that we love about this area.

  You're right on the beach, with easy access to the beach via stairs. This campground is very close to Rincon, but the setup is totally different. Rincon is basically just a parking space on the road, while Faria is a regular campground. The drive down from the main road is pretty steep with a sharp turn, I'm surprised more RVs don't scrape and cause damage on the way down.

  The sites here are very close together, but it doesn't matter. Everyone is friendly and happy and in a good mood. The cafe is fun and seems to be a hangout for bikers riding along Hwy 1. We love it here.

• 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

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 26, 2024

  Rincon Parkway RV Overnight

  Love it here

  We come here often, whenever we are in the Ventura area. I used to be crabby about the high cost for just a parking spot along the freeway, but I've grown to love it. You're right on the beach, the weather is always perfect here and the ocean sounds drown out your neighbor's generator.

  No amenities other than trash dumpsters and the occasional recycle bin. Self contained RVs only, no tents.

  Cost is $47 during peak season, plus a $10 reservation fee and $2.50 per day per dog. Sigh - it adds up but it's kind of worth it. No check in required when you arrive, just pull into your reserved spot. No host on site, but rangers do come by often.

  You have to scramble down rocks to get to the beach, or you can walk to Faria campground and access the beach via their stairs.

• 

  Elaine H.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 16, 2024

  Dennison Park

  Great campground and host!

  I love finding a camping spot last minute and it turns out to be amazing! Dennison Park Campground did not disappoint! Although there are beautiful upper campground spots that Overlook Ojai Valley, I chose, from the choices I had, a spot that looked spacious and offered the most shade. Nestled in the middle of upper and lower campsites, I found it to be a quiet reprieve from our day's activities -- the campfire always the highlight for me. The camp host, Dane, was friendly, helpful, and a joy to chat with. He also gave us some suggestions of other county parks to check out the next time we venture to the Ojia area! We will definitely be back to camp here!

• 

  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.

• 

  Michelle W.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 28, 2024

  Steckel Park

  Much better than I expected

  I had a giant campsite overlooking the heavily flowing creek. The creek was so clean and beautiful. The amazing thing is I brush-crashed for hours and didn’t get a single bug bite. The site was a bit messy when I arrived, but the ranger pulled up right as I got there to empty the trash bin. He said the crows scatter the garbage. A family of 2 peahens, a peacock, and 3 babies hung out near the creek. Beautiful birds. After walking around the creek for an hour, I came back to see a few bundles of wood left for me. I think the ranger found them at a site and gifted them to me. Very nice person!

• 

  Tippy B.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 12, 2024

  Rincon Parkway RV Overnight

  Million dollar view

  We are road tripping for our honey moon and are letting the gods decide on where we were van camping once a destination has been confirmed. We accidentally ran into this parkway and let me tell you…. You’d be crazy not to stay. Views were amazing to fall asleep to and wake up to.

  You can bring your own wood, have a fire where you camp. Don’t forget your campfire stove, there are porta-potties. As long as your self contained in a RV, car, bus, you are golden. Stay…. It will be a memorable trip. And you can’t beat the price.

• 

  Tammy P.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 10, 2024

  Flying Flags RV Resort

  A lot of amenities and great for family with kids

  Very tight space, lots of amenities like pools, playgrounds for kids, restaurants, activities, performances on weekends but can get quite busy and crowded. Close by solvang town and many pretty hiking trails

• t

  tryna H.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 5, 2024

  Lake Casitas Recreation Area

  Nice place but dog owners beware

  Just to be clear, I love lake Casitas. I grew up camping here with my family. The reason I’m writing this review is to warn pet owners about the abundance of foxtails and burs. We have 2 poodle mixes with med-long hair and they both ended up with their fur filled with burs and foxtails. So much that it required a vet visit. This was from a weekend camp in our RV that had a large rug and they have raised dog cots.

• O

  Oscar R.

  Scout

  

  May. 31, 2024

  Radl Ranch

  Amazin spot

  Great spot! Been here 2 times already!

• K

  Kim G.

  Ranger

  

  May. 23, 2024

  El Capitán State Beach Campground

  Bluff-top beach-ish camping

  We spent two nights at El Capitan State Beach. Our site had an ocean view, which is why I give this campground a 4-star rating. There isn't much to do here (limited hiking), so that is why it isn't a 5-star review. Still, other than one windy day, we had a lovely time relaxing here, walking the limited beach bluff-top walk down to the beach and west toward Refugio. The path used to go all the way to Refugio, but it is closed right after the walk/bike-in campsites at El Capitan due to the ocean erroding away the cliffs the path sits on. The bathrooms were fairly clean and there are showers (didn't use). Like many CA parks, the area has a run-down feel. We went into Santa Barbara on our way to and from the campsite. It is about a 20-mile drive, so a bit long. One of my photos is at Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara (you can see the pier). It is a good place to park a van (up to 22 ft) or they have "motor home" spots for day parking.

• 

  Heather K.

  Ranger

  

  May. 16, 2024

  Hobson Beach County Park

  Expensive But It’s On The Beach

  I stayed here for one night. Bathrooms were clean. They seem to have a coffee and pizza shack too but they were not open when I arrived. I didn’t use the showers but they have a shower room in addition to bathrooms. It was a quiet night.

  The only negative was the people parked next to me had moved their picnic table into my spot so it made it difficult to back in and use my spot.

• 

  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.

• M

  Mike G.

  Guide

  

  May. 3, 2024

  Foster Residence Campground

  Small Campground but Nice

  Small little campground, easy to get to and across from Foster Park. 

  There are not too many spaces, and it is a little tight, so larger RVs will not fit. 

  I got site 11, which is pretty big, but it's next to the road. At all times of the day, you get a lot of loud motorcycles coming through. 

  It's next to Foster Park, which allows swimming in the river during the summer months. 

  It's also near the Ojai Bike trail, which you can take all the way to Ojai or down to the beach in Ventura. 

  I road up to Lake Casitas and into Ojai, which was a nice short loop.

  There were no issues with safety; it felt pretty safe.

• M

  Mike G.

  Guide

  

  May. 2, 2024

  Sycamore Canyon Campground — Point Mugu State Park

  Compact Little Campground

  Small little campground adjacent to Sycamore Canyon. This is great for trail runners and mountain bikers. 

  The spaces are pretty small, so they are not meant for large RVs. The facilities are Okay. I don't think there was hot water when I went there. 

  There is no reception for T-Mobile users. However, I used my WeBoost and got two bars. I was able to stream music, text and some internet. 

  It's nice to ride down PCH on this stretch towards Camarillo. You can visit the Missile Park in Point Magu or the Light House in Hueneme.