Carpinteria State Beach

Phone Number

(805) 566-2494

Max. Trailer Lengths

Trailer: Up to 35 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: Up to 35 Feet

Park Hours

 Day Use:
     Sunrise to Sunset



Dogs Allowed?

Yes
Dogs allowed in campground and day-use area. Dogs not allowed on beach.

Driving Directions to Carpinteria SB

The park is on Highway 224, off U.S. 101, twelve miles south of Santa Barbara.

Maximum Stay: From March 1 through November 30, park visitors may camp for a maximum of seven (7) consecutive days. From December 1 through February 28, park visitors may camp for a maximum of fifteen (15) consecutive days. When the maximum consecutive stay has been reached, the person(s), equipment, and vehicle(s) must vacate the campground for a period of 48 hours before returning for another stay. The maximum stay limit for camping at Carpinteria State Beach is a total of 30 days in any calendar year.

Upcoming Park Events

No events scheduled at this moment.

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
En route Campsites
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
Hike or Bike Campsites
RV Sites w/Hookups
RV Dump Station
RV Access
TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Fishing
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Beach Area
Swimming
Windsurfing/Surfing
Family Programs
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Outdoor Showers
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible

General Park Information

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 designMembers of the Spanish expedition referred to the area as LCarpinteria or ‘The Carpenter Shop,’ later to become Carpinteria.  

TEACHER'S GUIDE TO THE CARPINTERIA TIDE POOLS

Teachers looking to bring their class to the park to enjoy the Tide Pools should check out this unique online presentation designed to outline what to expect and help plan your field trip. Attached you will find resouces and activities for before, during and after your visit. 


DISTANCE LEARNING

  • Book a Virtual Field Trip for Your Class

           Programs are currently fully booked! Openings are announced every September. To stay up to date on program offerings please visit the PORTS link below. 

  • Tide Pools

           Learn about the animals who live in the Carpinteria Tide Pools by exploring the park's padlet page. Tide Pool Padlet

  • Tar Pits During the Ice Age

          The Carpinteria tar pits have produced many additions to the fossil record. Some of the fossils found at the park include the Ground Sloth, Dire Wolf, American Mastodon, and Saber-toothed Cat.              Watch the linked video to learn more about the tar pits during the pleistocene period. Fatal Attraction        Fatal Attraction (Espanol)

          Suggested Activity:  Making Fossils with Dough

  • Start a Nature Journal

           You can start connecting to nature from your home, school, or local park. All you need is something to draw with and something to write on. Nature Journal Your Neighborhood

           Resources:Bird Drawing Guide


SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS

California State Parks offers educators and service organizations a unique opportunity to establish service-learning projects. If you are interested in a learning approach that integrates community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities please visit the link above.

EDUCATION VOLUNTEER

Are you interested in volunteering to help with education programs at the park? Please fill out our interest survey and we will get back to you. 

This unique playscape invites children to enjoy healthy outdoor play while they learn about California’s colorful history at the same time. The Tomol Interpretive Play Area is one of these special places. Found tucked into the northwest corner of Carpinteria State Beach in the coastal beach community of Carpinteria, this unique facility lets kids run, jump, slide and generally have fun while it encourages them to imagine living in a Chumash Indian village on the shore of the Pacific Ocean.

Camping options within the Carpinteria SB campground are quite varied. Please visit our campground information page to learn more about the specifics. 

RV Rental Delivery Policy

ATTENTION: Trailers may be rented and delivered to the park from 101 RV Rentals. This is the only business permitted for delivery of RVs in this state park. It is illegal to conduct business in a park area without a permit, contract, or other written agreement. Renting from a business other than 101 RV Rentals may leave you without accommodations as the RV/camping equipment may be turned away upon arrival at the park. 101 RV Rentals can be contacted at (805) 210-7391.


 

Now Hiring! Apply NowJob Opportunities

Contact Information

SPECIAL EVENTS:
carp.specialevents@parks.ca.gov

SCHOOL GROUPS:
CarpinteriaSB.Interp@parks.ca.gov

INFORMATION:
(805) 585-1869
ChannelCoastInfo@Parks.Ca.Gov

SOCIAL MEDIA:
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Live HD Webcam / Surf Report:

Surfline logo 

 

Carpinteria sunset

Surf Crashing

Beach Area