Gaviota State Park RV & Campground Guide
California
Gaviota State Park
is a lovely nature park and beach near Goleta and Santa Barbara. At this expansive and beautiful park covering nearly 2,800 acres worth of land, you'll find a wide assortment of environments to experience. From oak forests to prairies to Gaviota Beach, you'll be able to get up to all kinds of fun when you come for a visit.The climate of the area is mild with winters being a bit rainy and summers being warm. Temperatures generally trend higher as you move farther from the coasts. One thing to note is the wind, particularly the Sundowners blowing through the canyon; these winds are fun to experience just for how powerful they are but require caution to avoid injury.
Spring 48-68 F
Summer 56-73 F
Fall 50-73 F
Winter 41-65 F
Goleta, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
RV Resorts & Campsites in Gaviota State Park
There are few things better than cruising down to a place like Gaviota State Park in a fun and convenient rental RV. Enjoy the great outdoors with all the comforts of home thanks to these machines and all they have to offer. If you've made the smart decision to vacation in an RV, check out these RV campgrounds while you're in the area for a nice place to stay at night.
Gaviota State Park Campgrounds
If a more primitive camping experience is what you like, Gaviota State Park's very own campgrounds are the place to be. Starting at around $45 per night at all 39 campsites, the park does not offer electrical hookups and other modern appliances, giving you the option to enjoy nature as our ancestors did. If you'd like, though, there are amenities like showers and restrooms. Your pets are also welcome to join in on the fun.
Rancho Oso RV & Camping Resort
At the historic Rancho Oso RV & Camping Resort, you can camp in style and luxury. The 310 acres of land this park sits on are an exquisite example of natural beauty rivaling even Gaviota State Park itself. Set up to be very equestrian-focused, the park is friendly to pets and horses, and the staff offers riding lessons to guests. Enjoy plenty of amenities including strong cell and Wi-Fi signals, a pool, a clubhouse, satellite TV hookups, electrical hookups and much more during the course of your stay.
Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park
Located within El Capitan State Beach, Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park is a cozy, pet-friendly RV park with tons to offer guests. Full hookups, good Wi-Fi, a heated pool and spa, showers and plenty more are just a small sampling of what you can expect from your stay. With spaces starting at $95, it's well worth it to be a part of all the community events the park staff members put on for guests throughout the year.
Ocean Mesa RV and Campground
Ocean Mesa RV and Campground is a bright and sunny RV park filled with friendly faces and a fabulous assortment of amenities. At $95 per night for the basic camping package, you can enjoy full electrical hookups, large pads for pulling through and backing out, a pool and hot tub on-site, great cell reception and Wi-Fi, a playground area and tons more that will have you feeling more at home. The grounds are also pet-friendly.
What to Do at
Gaviota State Park
Inside Gaviota State Park
Visitors to Gaviota State Park can find plenty to occupy their time. There's a total of 34 miles of trails stretching throughout the park that can be used for hiking, biking and horseback riding, among other activities. Many picnic areas are also scattered around. Along the beach, you can enjoy fishing, swimming, snorkeling and more. Windsurfing is a popular activity as is seeing the various natural sights, including Gaviota Peak and the natural hot springs.
Outside Gaviota State Park
If you would like to see some of the exciting things Santa Barbara County has to offer besides Gaviota State Park, you're in luck. There's a ton to do and see when you're in this area on your RV vacation. Some of the best options for entertainment are as follows.
Restaurants
The Angel Oak
The Angel Oak restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel is a fine dining experience without compare. Sample a menu filled to the brim with delicious local fish, authentic Japanese Wagyu beef and a fantastic assortment of finely aged wines for a night out that you won't soon forget.
Type: Fine Dining
Location: 8301 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
The Black Sheep
The Black Sheep is a delicious pub experience with a casual atmosphere, perfect for anyone looking for a place to unwind after a long day. Experience some delicious ramen noodles, roasted vegetables, prawns, risotto and a healthy selection of drinks while you're here.
Type: Pub
Location: 26 E Ortega St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Persona Wood Fired Pizzeria
At Persona Wood Fired Pizzeria, you'll have the opportunity to eat some of the best pizza you can find outside of Italy. Delicious marinara, margherita, pesto and bianca pizza bases with your choice of toppings, a healthy assortment of sides and other options round out a truly amazing menu.
Type: Pizza
Location: 905 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Shopping
Santa Barbara Art Glass
Santa Barbara Art Glass is a private glassblowing studio located within the city. Watch the masters at work as they set about creating unique masterpieces while you tour the shop with the added bonus of being able to purchase much of what you see while you're there.
Location: 706 E Mason St, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Chocolate Maya
Chocolate Maya is a specialty chocolate shop specializing in delicious assortments of sweets made with fresh, quality ingredients. Grab a box of chocolates for yourself or someone special as you travel around the city, and then come back later for even more after you've discovered just how delectable these treats are.
Location: 15 W Gutierrez St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Chaucer's Books
At Chaucer's Books, you can enjoy a wonderful reading experience with an old-world flair. Find both new releases and timeless classics lining the shelves at this store with an assortment of titles for all ages, including many puzzles and games that are perfect for kids.
Location: 3321 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Sightseeing
Santa Barbara Zoo
The Santa Barbara Zoo is a fantastic place to stop along your vacation route. Come visit the many animals and rare plants kept at the zoo while learning about each of them and the various ways you can help protect the environment.
Location: 500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
The almost 100-year-old Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a beautiful landmark in the city worth taking a look at while you're exploring. Free tours are held each day to allow guests to learn about the alluring architecture and the court's history within the city and Santa Barbara County as a whole.
Location: 1100 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
If you just can't get enough of the outdoors, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is the place to go. This 78-acre nature park is home to over 1,000 rare species of native planets dispersed throughout the many trails and tour routes with numerous educational events to teach guests about the different conservation efforts used to preserve the park.
Location: 1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
How to Get to
Gaviota State Park
Getting to Gaviota State Park is easiest when traveling in from Santa Barbara. Just navigate onto U.S. 101 and follow the road for around 33 miles. From there, you'll see the place to turn left onto Gaviota Beach Road.
Entering Gaviota State Park
Heading down Gaviota Beach Road, you should find yourself approaching the park gate. Once you reach it, you'll be required to pay an entry fee per vehicle to get inside and enjoy the rest of the park. For day use, the park is open from 7:00 a.m. to sunset, which is typically between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. depending on the season.
Per Vehicle : $10
As lovers of all things outdoors, the team here at RVshare can heartily recommend Gaviota State Park as the location of your next family trip. Whether you choose to use one of RVshare's convenient rental RVs or go at it alone, the site still would like to be involved in your vacation in some way. If you don't mind, send your vacation pics to [email protected] or tag RVshare on social media so that the team can see what you get up to in the state park. RVshare might even feature you in one of its upcoming blogs.