Carpinteria State Park RV & Campground Guide
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"Carpinteria" means "carpentry shop" in Spanish, and the name of this California state park is a tribute to the crafty ingenuity of the Chumash Indians that used to live in the area. When you visit this lovely state park on California's coast, you’ll have the chance to see the tarpits that used to furnish waterproofing material for Chumash canoes. You’ll also get to swim, surf, sunbathe, fish, and boat on the park’s mile of beach and the ocean beyond it. This state park is only 20 minutes from Ventura and 15 minutes from Santa Barbara, so it’s easily accessible from multiple popular locations.
Nearby Cities
Carpinteria, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Ventura, CA
Oxnard, CA
Spring 57-74 F
Summer 67-86 F
Fall 69-82 F
Winter 56-70 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Carpinteria State Park
Campground Accommodations
Anacapa Loop
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 35 feet
Other amenities: Fire rings, restrooms, coin-operated showers
Santa Cruz Loop
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 35 feet
Other amenities: Fire rings, restrooms, coin-operated showers
Santa Rosa Loop
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 30 feet
Other amenities: Fire rings, restrooms, coin-operated showers
San Miguel Loop
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 30 feet
Other amenities: Restrooms, coin-operated showers
Carpinteria State Park Campground
With rates starting at $35 a night during the offseason and $45 a night during the peak season, there are three campgrounds at Carpinteria State Park. Full-hookup and primitive sites are both available, and some of the sites are located directly on the white sand beach.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes, with restrictions
• Other amenities: Restrooms, showers, laundry, picnic tables
Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park
Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park near the ocean offers pull-through sites. Rates start at $65 per night.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes, with restrictions
• Other amenities: Restrooms, showers, laundry, picnic tables
Earl Warren Showgrounds RV Park
This 25-site campground in Santa Barbara offers easy access to horse shows, flower shows and more happening on the Earl Warren Showgrounds. Rates start at $60 per night for back-in sites at Earl Warren Showgrounds RV Park.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes, with restrictions
• Other amenities: Restrooms, showers, picnic tables
Rancho Oso RV & Camping Resort
This Thousand Trails campground located about 30 minutes from Santa Barbara, California, is set up to resemble an Old West town. This 310-acre campground offers many amenities, including horseback riding, miniature golf and hiking trails.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes, with restrictions
• Other amenities: Store, playground, horseshoes, dog park
Rincon Parkway Campground
This Ventura County campground on Highway 1 offers shoulder highway access almost directly on the water. Rates start at $32 per day at Rincon Parkway Campground.
• Water hookup: No
• Electrical hookup: No
• Sewer hookup: No
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes, with restrictions
• Other amenities: None
RV Rentals Near Carpinteria State Park
Nearby RV Rentals
What to Do at
Carpinteria State Park
Carpinteria State Beach is the main attraction at Carpinteria State Park, so you’ll probably spend much of your visit swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and exploring the tidal pools. When you’re not hanging out on the beach, you can check out the park’s tarpits, which are natural tar deposits that the Chumash Indians once used to coat their canoes. To learn more about the Chumash people, you can visit the Tomol Interpretive Play Area, which features a playground built in the style of a Chumash village from the days of yore.
This park is known for having a safe and beautiful beach, but it’s also home to places that are ideal for stargazing, sunset-watching, and biking. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might even get to see a migrating gray whale or two.
Inside Carpinteria State Park
Swimming is a favorite activity for most campers who come to this state park. A lifeguard is usually on duty during warmer months. This is also a favorite spot to go surf fishing for perch and halibut. Many people enjoy walking along the white sand beaches to the tide pools where starfish, sea anemones, crabs, snails, octopi and sea urchins are often seen. From December to March, this beach is often frequented by seals and sea lions, and you may get lucky to see a gray whale just offshore.
Fishing
Multiple areas are suitable for fishing and crabbing at Carpinteria State Park. One of these is the Jellybowl, which is a lovely cove full of perch, cabezon, and corbina. You can also go surf fishing for halibut and perch.
Nature Watching
One great way to observe nature at Carpinteria State Park is to check out the park’s tidal pools. Sea anemones, starfish, urchins, crabs, and more are visible in these pools at low tide. Near the tidal pools, you’ll likely see seals and sea lions frolicking and sunbathing on the rocks.
Stargazing
Carpinteria State Park isn’t far from civilization, but it’s still a solid place to go stargazing. If you visit at the right time, you might be able to participate in an Astronomy Night hosted by the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit.
Flora and Fauna
If you want to learn more about the flora and fauna of Carpinteria State Park, you should explore the visitor center. You’ll be able to view exhibits that educate visitors about local wildlife and natural resources. Be sure to check out the indoor tidal pool if you want to see live marine animals in an educational environment.
Hiking
You can, of course, stroll along Carpinteria State Beach. Right next to Carpinteria State Park is the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve, which features a 2.7-mile trail that takes visitors along the Carpinteria Bluffs and by the tar pits.
Boating
Motorboats aren’t allowed here, but you can take your canoe or kayak out onto the Pacific Ocean. Dolphins, seals, and other marine life might choose to accompany you on your paddling adventure.
Swimming
Carpinteria’s white, sandy beach is one of the park’s biggest draws. Lifeguards are on duty all year round.
Biking
The park’s paved roads are available for biking. Bikers under age 18 need to wear helmets, and those biking at night need to have lights on their bikes.
How to Get to
Carpinteria State Park
The entrance to Carpinteria State Park is just five minutes from Highway 101. If you’re coming from Santa Barbara, drive 10 minutes on Highway 101 before getting off on Casitas Pass Road from Exit 86. Turn right onto Carpinteria Avenue and then turn left on Palm Avenue to find the park’s entrance. The directions for Ventura are similar. Get on Highway 101 and drive for 15 minutes before getting off on Exit 86 on Casitas Pass Road. Take Carpinteria Avenue and Palm Avenue to the park’s entrance.
By Car
Entering Carpinteria State Park
There is a parking lot in the Main Day Use Area near Anacapa Loop and Santa Cruz Loop. To enter the park, you’ll need to pay a fee of $7 per vehicle.
Carpinteria State Park Per Vehicle : $7.0
If you have been to Carpinteria State Park, then the team at RVshare would love to hear about your adventures. You can send your story and your photos to memories@RVshare.com, and the site may feature them on its social media pages. RVshare looks forward to hearing about your grand experiences at this state park.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carpinteria State Park
The summer months are popular times to visit Carpinteria State Park, but any time between April and November is a great time to go. You’ll love experiencing the beach scene in summer, and you’ll enjoy taking in the fall colors in autumn.
Since Carpinteria State Park is on California’s coast, it’s home to marine animals like seals, starfish, octopi, sea lions, and more. Birders enjoy watching for herons, mallards, egrets, and a variety of other local shorebirds.
All four of Carpinteria State Park’s camping loops have designated RV camping spots. If you want to park your RV on the beach, you should check out the Santa Rosa Loop and the San Miguel Loop.
You don’t need to reserve your camping spot at this state park, but you probably should since sites often fill up fast here. This is especially true if you’re visiting in the summer, which is the park’s busiest season.
No pets are allowed on the beach or in buildings except for service dogs. During the day, dogs must be kept on leashes. At night, they must be confined to a tent or vehicle.
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