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    El Capitan State Beach

    109 Reviews
    #3,064 of 10,201 things to do in California
    Outdoor Activities, Nature & Parks, Beaches
    CA
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    Review Highlights
    “Camping”

    This was our first dry camp experience and we enjoyed it but we prefer camping with full hookups... read more

    Reviewed 11 July 2018
    djgracia8184
    ,
    Apple Valley, California
    via mobile
    “Camping”

    The El Capitan State Beach Campground was very nice and the beach was adjacent. Reasons I won't... read more

    Reviewed 3 May 2018
    V S
    via mobile
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    Traveller Overview
    4.0109 reviews
    • Excellent33%
    • Very good37%
    • Average21%
    • Poor4%
    • Terrible5%
    Travellers talk about
    “dump station”(5 reviews)
    “baby oil”(4 reviews)
    “highway noise”(3 reviews)
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    Reviews (109)
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    All reviews dump station baby oil highway noise north of santa barbara camp host ca state park fire ring central coast awesome beach california beach small camp store view of the ocean channel islands sites raccoons trees nature
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    1 - 10 of 104 reviews
    Reviewed 6 days ago via mobile
    Great beach

    Not a populated beach when we were there. Beautiful. Beautiful views. Waves to skim board or body surf. You do have to pay $10/day per car as it is a state park, but worth it.

    Thank Kim H
    Reviewed 14 September 2018 via mobile
    Buy earplugs

    Beautiful view, but way too close to highway 101 and train tracks. Hearing the waves at night was nice but mostly we heard traffic on the 101 all night. I had to go into the car at 3am to grab a set of earplugs for...More

    1  Thank moridanim
    Reviewed 14 September 2018
    Camping review - mixed bag

    I haven't camped near the beach since I was very young, and it is so hard to get reservations for beach camping in Southern California. Now that I'm retired, I was able to make a mid-week reservation for El Capitan in mid-September. The summer crowd...More

    1  Thank mf-sandiego
    Reviewed 11 August 2018
    Camping: loud freeway noise at night, racoons that brazenly steal food, and dirty showers/bathrooms

    People love camping here because of the proximity to the beach, which is a definite plus, but the campground is RIGHT by the 101, and the noise from the freeway (and the trains, which run next to the 101 as well) are the opposite of...More

    1  Thank emarienyc
    Reviewed 8 August 2018
    One of the Most Beautiful State Beaches in California

    We have been going to El Cap for many years. It is always beautiful as the setting is stunning. People are nice and friendly and it's not too remote so there is cell service. The CA State Park system has faced many financial challenges and...More

    2  Thank Kimmy0532
    Reviewed 24 July 2018 via mobile
    This place sucks!

    What is wrong with people?! This was the worst camping experience of my life! Ant infestation, filthy and I mean FILTHY showers and bathrooms, no toilet paper, campsites are on top of each other and right near train tracks and the freeway, hopefully you don't...More

    5  Thank R A
    Reviewed 18 July 2018 via mobile
    Not the best

    I will give the beach a A-. The beach is nice, I was expecting large amounts of tar, but it’s just specs that get on the bottom of your feet. Baby oil takes it right off. But very nice beach. The campground gets s D+,...More

    2  Thank greg02280
    Reviewed 11 July 2018 via mobile
    Camping

    This was our first dry camp experience and we enjoyed it but we prefer camping with full hookups. Maybe we are a little spoiled. It was beautiful though.

    1  Thank djgracia8184
    Reviewed 28 May 2018
    It;s A Legal/Illegal Adventure

    The beach was open and fun which we took a quick tour of and headed out for the longer hike along the beach. Unfortunately, part of the hike is blocked off or at least highly recommended against going on. Stupid or not, we walked around...More

    2  Thank TrvlsEatsExplrs
    Reviewed 3 May 2018 via mobile
    Camping

    The El Capitan State Beach Campground was very nice and the beach was adjacent. Reasons I won't go back are the proximity to the 101 freeway and the train. Way too noisy for my get out of town & into nature getaway. Our campsites were...More

    2  Thank V S
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