Contents
Refugio State Beach | Introduction
Refugio state beachbe located atSanta Barbara24 miles west of the beach, about half an hour away from otherCentral CaliforniaFamous sights such asSolvangRefugio State Beach is popular in the area, with walking trails and picnic areas just off the beach, and is also popular with those who enjoy coastal fishing. The palm trees planted near Refugio Creek are a unique part of the landscape.
I put together a simple checklist for beginners.
Refugio State Beach | Camp Environment
- Comfort: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Space: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Facility Cleanliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Convenience: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Refugio State Beach has 66 general campsites and although there is no RV hookup, there are a lot of people who come in RVs. The campsites are actually medium sized, but the close proximity of each campsite makes it easier to interfere with each other. We reserved the first row campsite with sea view, which is right in front of the beach, so we felt less crowded. The campsite is very close to the beach, the beach in front of the campsite is quite narrow, next to the Day Use Area, it was very busy from beginning to end.
The best thing about this campground is that there are large showers, which is convenient if you want to stay a few more days.
- Hotel search: Agoda
- Activities & tickets: KKday / Klook / TripAdvisor
- Travel credit cards (US only): My card picks + beginner tips
Day Use Area | Beach Environment
The beach is narrow, so it's great for kids to play in the water and sand, or go diving and fishing, etc. The Day Use Area is right next to the campground, so it's common to see whole families come early in the morning on weekends to take a spot for the whole day. There are stores and ball fields not far from the Day Use Area, so it's very convenient to buy sports and supplies.
Trails | Aniso Coastal Trail
The Aniso Coastal Trail is my favorite part of this campground. The trail is about 2.5 miles, mostly gentle with coastal views and great for running or biking, with an entrance right next to the campground. The trail connects Refugio State Beach withEl Capitan BeachIf you think Refugio State Beach is a bit crowded, you can go to El Capitan Beach for a walk and see dolphins playing in the water.
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Further reading
- More camping stories click here
- For more Central California attractions, click here.
- For more CA-1 attractions, click here.
