Ocean access distinguishes the RV parks near Santa Barbara, California, with options ranging from beachfront dry camping to mountain properties. Several campgrounds sit directly on the shoreline, while others occupy the Santa Ynez Mountains at elevations around 1,000 feet. During summer months, temperatures can reach the mid-90s in mountain locations while coastal sites remain cooler.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Thousand Trails Rancho Oso offers equestrian facilities in the mountains above Santa Barbara. "They cater to horse owners, and there were at least 20 horses I saw roaming in their corrals, and I'm sure there's some nice trails around here, too," notes one camper, highlighting the Western atmosphere.
Beach exploration: At Rincon Parkway RV Overnight, visitors can watch for marine wildlife right from their campsite. "We had seals right below my rig," reports one reviewer, with others mentioning regular sightings of "seals, sea lions, whales, and dolphins."
Biking to downtown: Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park provides convenient access to urban amenities. "It's an easy bike ride to beaches, downtown and restaurants," explains one reviewer. Another adds that the location offers "walkable to the waterfront and biking lanes and trails all around."
Wine tasting: The Santa Ynez Valley near Flying Flags RV Resort features numerous wineries. The resort sometimes hosts wine events on-site, as one guest notes: "They had a band and wine tasting the day we were there."
What campers like
Beachfront camping: The ability to camp directly on the shoreline ranks as a top feature at oceanside parks. At Emma Wood State Beach, "you are parked right on the beach, which we love so much. At high tide the ocean comes right up to your doorstep," explains a visitor.
Pool facilities: Many RV parks near Santa Barbara offer swimming options. Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara provides "a pool, jacuzzi, laundry—all well maintained," according to one guest. Another mentions the "heated pool was really nice" for relaxing after hiking the property's trails.
Hiking access: Several parks feature trail networks connecting to beaches or mountain paths. "Hiking trails are also connected to the campground. Just a mile from a great beach with lots of parking," shares a Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara guest about the paths connecting to El Capitan State Beach.
Urban convenience: Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park offers proximity to city amenities. "Trader Joes .7 mi away; walkable to the waterfront and biking lanes and trails all around," notes one camper who extended their stay due to the convenient location.
What you should know
No cell service in mountains: Thousand Trails Rancho Oso has extremely limited connectivity. "No wifi and cell service—they need to fix this," states one visitor, while another notes: "No cell service was surprisingly one bar, if you're lucky, but most days it's none, even with my WeBoost."
Highway noise: Several parks sit near major roads. Ventura Beach RV Resort experiences "constant noise from 101" according to reviews. Similarly, Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park sits alongside the highway, though "the tall wall that separates the highway and the park works very well."
Space constraints: Many RV parks feature compact sites. At Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park, "very close to neighbors and a tight fit" is common. One visitor advises being prepared for sites where "depending on your site you may need to coordinate pulling in and out with neighbor sites."
Limited site amenities: Beachfront locations often have minimal facilities. Rincon Parkway offers no hookups, while Emma Wood State Beach provides "no toilet facilities" and "the only amenity this place offers is trash and recycling bins." Visitors must be self-contained.
Tips for camping with families
Pool and recreation access: Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara offers family-friendly facilities. "Great place for kids and families. They have a pool, playground, 24 hour bathroom and showers included with your stay," notes one visitor, adding that "they have bike rentals that I believe are free to use."
Educational wildlife viewing: Coastal campsites provide nature observation opportunities. At Point Mugu Recreation Facility, families can "watch seals, ducks and more swimming around the beach," making it ideal for nature-oriented kids.
Consider campground layouts: Some parks better accommodate children than others. Emma Wood State Beach may not be ideal as one visitor notes it "doesn't really feel like camping, since you can hear the sound of the freeway and trains," while Rincon Parkway requires vigilance as sites are "right off the highway in my opinion."
Entertainment options: Flying Flags RV Resort includes multiple kid-friendly amenities. "The resort offers soccer field, basketball court, bocce ball, pool/spa, playground, store, restaurant," lists one visitor, making it suitable for families needing activity options.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions matter: Navigating mountain roads requires caution. At Thousand Trails Rancho Oso, one visitor warns of a "scary climb, lost transmission and brakes... if you do not have big diesel pusher in tip top shape, AVOID." Another notes the campground is tiered with "an average of 10 spaces a level."
Electrical capacity issues: During peak usage, power availability can fluctuate. At Ventura Beach RV Resort, one RVer reported "there were so many people running their AC that my surge protector kept shutting off on 'low current' below 104 volts."
Waterfront parking considerations: At Emma Wood State Beach, "watch where you park if you don't want the waves crashing and splashing all over your rig and camp area," cautions a visitor. Another explains the challenging logistics: "The spaces are very tight, it's hard to back in, you need to park your tow vehicle 10 or 15 feet away from your trailer."
Wind exposure: Coastal locations experience strong breezes. One RVer at Thousand Trails Rancho Oso describes "a steady wind, as it was pretty strong. I had to take my awning down it was so strong," while Emma Wood experiences wind that is "extremely strong especially at night."
