Point Sal
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Point Sal is a very popular destination for RV travelers taking day trips along California's Central Coast. This BLM site offers scenic hiking trails, secluded beaches, and a wide variety of wildlife viewing opportunities. You can't camp within the BLM area, but you can stay at a nearby campground or RV park. You won't need a reservation to visit Point Sal, but you should plan for a strenuous hike of about 5 miles each way if you want to go from the parking area to the beach (a roughly 10-mile round trip with significant elevation gain). When it comes to navigating the access road in an RV, you will need to use caution since the road is unpaved and sometimes difficult to drive during and after wet weather. Checking the official BLM recreation page is often the best way to learn whether the access road is open and suitable for travel.
Quick Facts About RVing in Point Sal
• RV Friendly: Limited (day-use only) • Max RV Length: Not specified • Camping Type: None (no camping permitted) • Reservations: No • Hookups: None • Dump Station: None on-site • Potable Water: Bring your own • Cell Service: Spotty • Pets: Allowed (must be leashed) • Roads: Mostly paved; unpaved final access road • Best Season: Spring, summer, and fall
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• Day trip from nearby RV campgrounds • Peaceful alternative to crowded beaches • Rewarding coastal hike from the trailhead • Excellent whale and wildlife viewing • Great stop along California's Central Coast • Ideal for self-guided outdoor adventures • Easy to combine with Pismo Beach or Santa Maria • Less crowded than many coastal destinations
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Point Sal Trail
This trail is the only access to Point Sal Beach. The trail starts at the intersection of Brown Road and Point Sal Road. Stay to the left when you get to the Y in the path. The last 100 yards of this trail are very steep, with some rock scrambling required, but the beautiful views are worth it. Length: 10 miles Intensity: Strenuous
Vista Del La Cruz Trail
This trail starts behind the visitors center at La Purisima Mission State Historic Park. It runs up a hill to a historic cross and beautiful views of this park that state officials established to protect one of the first missions built in California. This facility frequently hosts historical reenactments, during which this trail can get very busy. Length: 0.5 miles Intensity: Moderate
Santa Maria Valley Multipurpose Trail
The Santa Maria Valley Multipurpose Trail at the back edge of Weller Park near Santa Maria, California and runs by a golf course, train tracks, a few backyards and an airport. This paved trail follows the Santa Maria River. Length: 5.4 miles Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
The Santa Ynez River is a terrific place to fish for trout and smallmouth bass, especially in the spring. The 92-mile-long river starts in the Los Padres National Forest and ends in Lompoc, California. An easy place to access this river for shore fishing is Riverbend Park in Lompoc.
Climbing
Gibraltar Rock, near Santa Barbara, California, is a terrific place to climb. One of the most challenging climbs is The Nose, located on the southwest corner of the five sandstone bluffs along Gibraltar Boulevard. The University of California Santa Barbara's Outdoor Adventure Program often holds training at this location, which may be a great choice if you want to improve your skills.
Wildlife Viewing
The 5,368-acre Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve contains one of California's last significant stands of maritime chaparral. A loop trail runs through this facility, where hikers might see foxes, mule deer, bobcats, and various animals. In addition, this facility is home to over 300 plant species.
Picnicking
Jalama Beach County Park is an excellent place for a beach picnic. There are picnic tables and raised fireboxes. After your picnic, this is an ideal place to go surfing, whale watching, or bird watching. Anglers love to fish for perch, cabezon, kelp, bass, and halibut.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
While there is no designated Bureau of Land Management RV camping available at Point Sal, there are outstanding options nearby. While Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are hard to find in this area, consider camping at Mt. Pinos Campground in Los Padres National Forest, which is especially a beautiful spot for hikers because of the nearby trails. Another choice is El Capitán State Beach, allowing you to camp near the Pacific Ocean. There are 102 campsites at Jalama Beach County Park, where you will love playing in the ocean near this campground.
Dispersed Camping
The California coast around Point Sal is heavily constrained by private land, state parks, and Vandenberg Space Force Base, and because of this, there isn't any dispersed camping. But this doesn't mean you're out of luck when it comes to finding a place to camp overnight in your RV. Santa Lucia Ranger District (Los Padres National Forest) • Distance: It is about one hour from Point Sal (varies by access road). • Camping Type: Dispersed camping is permitted in designated areas only. • Best For: Self-contained camper vans, truck campers, and smaller RVs will do best here. • Roads: There are forest roads with varying conditions; some routes may require higher clearance. • Amenities: None. You must bring all water, supplies, and pack out waste. • Notes: Check the current Motor Vehicle Use Map, road closures, and fire restrictions before arriving.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
• Camper Vans: Camper vans are a great fit for Point Sal. Their smaller size makes it easier to travel the final unpaved access road and find a space at the trailhead parking area. • Travel Trailers: This destination is easiest to visit as a day trip. Leave your trailer at a nearby campground and drive your tow vehicle to the trailhead. • Fifth Wheels: These are generally not the best choice. Their larger size can make the final stretch of road and the trailhead parking area more difficult to navigate. • Class A Motorhomes: They are better suited for staying at a nearby RV park than driving all the way to the trailhead. The final access road and parking area can be less accommodating for larger coaches. • Class B Motorhomes: These are one of the easiest RVs to bring for a day visit. Their compact footprint makes the drive and parking much more manageable. • Class C Motorhomes: Smaller models are usually a good fit for a day trip, while larger ones may have a harder time navigating the final access road and parking area.
Free Camping 
Bureau of Land Management free camping is unavailable at Point Sal as this area is only open during daylight hours. Nearby, you can find camping on La Brea Creek's shores in the Barrel Creek Campground in the Los Padres National Forest. While camping is free, a Forest Adventure Pass, which costs $5 per day, is required. Primitive beach and dune camping is available at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, south of Post 2. While BLM camping near me is hard to find in this area, this campground features excellent hiking trails nearby.
RV Rentals Near Point Sal Plan your next adventure
Planning your Point Sal BLM trip
Point Sal is near the Vanderberg Space Force Base. While exploring this area, include a visit to the Space and Missile Heritage Center, located in a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum features displays about the Cold War and how technology has changed the military. When exploring Point Sal, check when high tide will occur because water can rise rapidly. Before setting out on your camping trip, learn more about BLM camping by reading this blog.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
When you come to Point Sal, you'll want to bring plenty of water, food, and other essential supplies. The site doesn't offer dump stations, potable water, or restroom facilities. The closest places to buy groceries and stock up on fuel include Guadalupe and Santa Maria, both of which are about a 20- to 30-minute drive from Point Sal. You should also keep in mind that cell service can be spotty, so it's best to download offline maps before arriving. Point Sal is open from sunrise to sunset, so you must plan your hike to the beach accordingly to ensure you have enough time to return to the trailhead before sunset. Keep in mind that Vandenberg Space Force Base can close or limit access at any time for missile launches or security reasons, so it's worth checking the current access status before you make the drive. The last stretch of the access road is unpaved and may require extra caution if you are traveling in a larger RV.
Leave No Trace 
Point Sal is in a remote area, so pack out what you pack in. Practice the "Leave No Trace" guidelines. You do not want your waste ruining this area for other visitors. Bringing a large trash bag and putting your trash in it can be a terrific plan.
Point Sal Location
From Santa Maria, California, head west on Main Street for about 2.9 miles. Then, turn slightly left onto U.S. Highway 16 and go one mile. Turn left on Ray Road and drive 1.4 miles. Then, veer to the right onto Brown Road. Continue for 6.9 miles, and you will see the parking lot and trailhead gate. Follow the trail for about five miles to reach the site. Address: Point Sal, Brown Road, Santa Maria, California, 93454 Ready to visit Point Sal? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
Plan Your Day at Point Sal
• Morning: If you arrive early in the morning right after sunrise, you'll enjoy cooler weather as you begin the hike from the trailhead to Point Sal Beach, which runs roughly 5 miles each way. There are fewer people during the early morning hours, which is great for wildlife watching and taking photos. • Afternoon: The afternoon is the perfect time to relax on the beach and have a picnic. You can walk up and down the shoreline to look for shells, watch seabirds, and enjoy the coastal views. Swimming isn't recommended here because of strong rip currents and the absence of lifeguards, but if you have your fishing license, you can fish in the designated areas. • Evening: Be sure to start heading back toward the trailhead at least two to three hours before sunset so you have time to complete the hike before the day-use area closes. You may want to leave even earlier if you have a long drive to your RV campground.
Nearby Attractions
The activities and entertainment opportunities on your way to, and within reach of, Point Sal are plentiful. If you can spare more time, consider these nearby attractions: • Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve: Just 20 minutes away, this preserve protects one of California's largest coastal dune systems. Walk along a quiet beach with far fewer crowds than many nearby coastal destinations, and enjoy excellent opportunities for bird-watching and wildlife viewing. • Oso Flaco Lake: This lake, about a 30-minute drive from Point Sal, features a scenic boardwalk that winds through wetlands, dunes, and native coastal habitat out to a beach overlook with beautiful ocean views. Watch for herons, pelicans, egrets, and other native bird species along the way. • Jalama Beach County Park: About a 50-minute drive from Point Sal, this is a favorite stop for RV travelers exploring California's Central Coast. Spend the day relaxing on a wide sandy beach, go surf fishing or watch experienced surfers from the shoreline, and don't miss the famous Jalama Burger at the beachfront grill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I camp overnight in my RV at Point Sal? No. You are not allowed to do any type of overnight camping at Point Sal. The area closes at sunset. If you want a place to camp overnight, you'll have to find a nearby campground. What is the closest developed campground? The closest developed campground is about a 50-minute drive from Point Sal, at Jalama Beach County Park. It is commonly used by RV travelers as a base camp for exploring Point Sal Beach. Where is the closest spot for dispersed camping? You'll have to take about a 50- to 60-minute drive to the Santa Lucia Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest to get to the closest spot for dispersed camping. Will I need a four-wheel-drive RV rental to visit Point Sal? You don't necessarily have to have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, but it can make it much easier to reach the trailhead, especially if you're visiting during or after a wet weather event. Can I bring my dog to Point Sal? Yes, you're allowed to bring your furry friends to Point Sal, but you must keep them supervised and on a leash at all times. Packing plenty of waste bags is essential to making sure you can easily clean up after your pet. Is the hike to the beach difficult? Yes, it's a demanding hike. The full round trip to the beach runs roughly 10 miles with significant elevation gain, including several steep climbs and descents. How challenging it feels will depend on your fitness level and hiking experience, so pace yourself and carry plenty of water.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
When planning a trip to Point Sal, you must take into consideration that it will be a day trip since there isn't any developed or dispersed camping allowed within the BLM area. Many RV travelers will stay at Jalama Beach County Park, about 50 minutes away, and then travel back and forth to Point Sal for hiking and beach access. Renting a compact, maneuverable RV, like a camper van or a smaller Class C motorhome, is highly recommended since some of the access roads can become muddy during wet weather. Spring and fall tend to provide the best weather for hiking and exploring the coastline. Start planning your trip to Point Sal by exploring these Santa Maria RV rentals from RVshare.