It was late August when we started our 2 week California road trip. One of the things we wanted to do was camping near a beautiful beach in California; we camped at the San Clemente State Beach campground in the past and loved the experience very much. This time, we spent 2 nights at the Carpinteria State Beach campground and loved it even more. Let me introduce you why.

Convenient Location

Carpinteria State Beach is a great place to camp if you're looking for a convenient location. First, it doesn’t take long to get there: around an hour and a half from Los Angeles. Plus it's located 15 minutes east of Santa Barbara and around 20 minutes north of Ventura. You can either set up a base camp here and explore both cities or stop by for a little picnic and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Small Beach Town Charm

There is a small beach town with plenty of charm right next to Carpinteria State Beach. From the rustic wooden buildings to the pacific ocean, this town has a lot to offer. Also, the people here are very friendly and there is a rich history that is worth exploring. According to the California Department of Parks and Recreation site,

Located within minutes of the urban centers of Santa Barbara and Ventura, Carpinteria State Beach offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy high-quality outdoor recreation in the setting of a small southern California coastal Community. With terraced bluffs, dune areas and a mile of beach for swimming, surf fishing, tidepool exploring and camping, Carpinteria State Beach is a unique treasure with a rich biological and cultural history. In 1769, the Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola explored the Santa Barbara coast, eventually meeting the local Chumash people at the village of ‘Mishopshnow’ near what we now call Carpinteria Creek. Portola observed several of their plank “Tomol” canoes being constructed and the incorporation of the naturally-occurring asphaltum (tar) into its design. Members of the Spanish expedition referred to the area as La Carpinteria or ‘The Carpenter Shop,’ later to become Carpinteria.

Click on any photo below to see it in full size

Many Nearby Shops and Restaurants

There are convenient stores and many restaurants offering Mexican food, Pizza, and seafood within walking distance. Also, you can find street vendors selling quick bites: menus ranging from breakfast burritos to steaks. Last but not least, there are a couple of breweries that serves craft beers as well. The closest one to the beach was the Island Brewing Company, and it was a great spot to visit and relax with a cold glass of tasty beer. Overall, we loved the fact that we could walk to these places, making it easy to grab whatever we needed without having to pack everything prior to the trip. One recommendation would be to bring bicycles or electric scooters so that you could explore more parts of the town in less time, spending less energy. 

Click on any photo below to see it in full size

Camping or Parking Right Next to the Beach

Unlike some of the beaches in Southern California, Carpinteria State Beach does not require long walks to get to the ocean. In fact, parking is available just a few yards from the beach. This makes it far easier to get your picnic gear and head to your spot on the beach. It also means quick access to restrooms and other amenities.

Good Facilities & Amenities

The campground has a hot shower facility, which is always appreciated. If I remember correctly, it’s $2 for 8 minutes of hot running water in a dedicated shower room. Be sure to bring some cash and pay at the front gate office. It's also great that campfires are allowed, always making the camping experience more enjoyable; this is especially true because many campgrounds have banned it to prevent wildfires nowadays (one of many perks of beach camping, I suppose). There are also many picnic tables and benches around the park, so if you're quickly stopping by here and don't have any beach gear, it's no problem. Be sure to check out other campground facilities and amenities before heading out.

Enjoy Beach Picnic and Incredible Sunset

Not only is Carpinteria State Beach great for camping, but it's also a great place to enjoy a beach picnic. Once situated, simply disconnect from the world and soak up the serenity of the pacific ocean and the surrounding mountains. You should make sure to bring your favorite beverages and snacks because you'll want to spend a long time taking in the incredible views. What a great way to spend a lazy day away from the hustle and bustle of the city!

Click on any photo below to see it in full size

If you're looking for a next beach destination in California that offers great location, convenience, charm, and plenty of amenities, you should definitely consider Carpinteria State Beach. After spending an awesome couple of days here, we headed up north to finally visit one of our top camping/overlanding locations. Stay Tuned.