El Capitan State Beach

PARK: El Capitan State Beach
LOCATION: The beach is located off Highway 101, 17 miles west of Santa Barbara.
NATURAL SETTING: El Capitan State Beach offers visitors a sandy beach, rocky tidepools, and stands of sycamore and oaks along El Capitan Creek. This park has great natural beauty for what might be expected in a State Beach in southern California. There are more live oaks than palm, more chaparral than ice plant. A bike trail connects the park with Refugio State Beach, two and a half miles away.
AMENITIES: One hundred forty family campsites are available and this beach contains all the regular park camping amenities. Nothing fancy, just the necessities for a pleasant camping experience. If things become too “rugged” for those not used to camping, you can always take a short drive back to Santa Barbara.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The park offers both a public beach for people seeking escape from nearby Santa Barbara and camp sites overlooking the water. It is a great place to use as base camp to surf Goleta and also Refugio Beach. Just book a site early as they fill up long before summer comes. Sometimes there's even a lottery for positions in the camp. 
WHAT MAKES IT GREAT: El Capitan has a rare wave that when it breaks is legendary and is close to several other great breaks. It's not the biggest park in town, but it has big sandy beaches, and the level of privacy is just right. Since it is away from the city there is a sense of getting away, even though you don't go too far.