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Nearby Santa Barbara, California (Air Miles)
-Cities With RV Parks-
10.36 miles NW
10.53 miles SE
15.51 miles NW
25.16 miles NW
-Other Nearby Points-
El Capitn Sb (42')
2.21 miles SE
Refugio Sb (30')
2.73 miles SW
Alisal Guest Ranch
7.51 miles NW
Santa Ynez Wineries
8.06 miles NW
Royal Scandia
8.57 miles NW
Mollerkroen
8.67 miles NW
Mustard Seed
9.30 miles NW
Cabernet Bistro
9.40 miles NW
Linton'S Restaurant & L
9.43 miles NW
San Marcos Hot Spring 110
9.71 miles NE
Las Cruces Hot Springs 99
10.26 miles NW
Costco 8056851719
10.28 miles SE
Andersen's
12.24 miles NW
Santa Barbara Municipal
12.43 miles SE
The Vintage Room
12.79 miles NW
Massimi'S Ristorante
12.87 miles NW
California
Santa Barbara
Most Recently Reviewed
Ocean Mesa Campground at El Capitan
Latest Review Submited On
2013-03-30 08:26:53
4 Park(s) Reviewed Near
Santa Barbara, California
Camp Information
Sites
435
Date of Stay
September 2012
Latest Rate
$45
Hookups
Electric
50amp
Water
Sewer
Wireless Internet
Cable TV
Accommodations
Pull-Thru Sites
Big Rig Access
Waterfront Access
(Lake)Shade Trees
Pool Access
Pets Allowed
Tents Allowed
Family Friendly
Latest Review Information
Ratings (Last 10 Newest/Oldest)
8 8 6 8 8 9 9 8 8 8
Clean Restrooms (Last 5 Newest/Oldest)
Clean Showers (Last 5 Newest/Oldest)
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
September 2012
$45
Our first time to this park and we really enjoyed it. Some sites were pretty hard to get level; front end would be up off the ground which we avoid if possible. There were branches from trees hanging down pretty far (needed trimming) at one site we tried to get into. So far we have only found 30amp service which was a bit of a problem as the temp got to 100 yesterday and needed to start our generator in order to run 2 ACs to cool down coach. We would come back! We camped here in a Motorhome.
The user that posted this review has 13 other reviews online. Click here to see them.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
May 2012
$45
You go and choose your site then return to the office to check in. There are plenty to choose from. Sites where we were all had concrete pads, didn't see all of campground. There are two large swimming pools which looked lovely but they are only open Memorial Day to Labor Day. (No swimming in the lake.) There was a laundry by the pool but that was all closed up too. There is a good general store and a gas station. The only receipt I had was my credit card slip and I had to hand it back in when we left which I was not very happy about. Didn't use the showers but I see there is a charge of 50 cents per 3 minutes of hot water. Nearest town in Santa Ynez nine miles away. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 6 / 10 ]
[ 6 / 10 ]
April 2012
$45
I agree with the last two reviews. The park is very big rig friendly. We camped in site 28 and had a beautiful view of the trees and green grass beltway. The lake is beautiful. It's unfortunate that maintenance is so lacking. Grass is not being mowed, picnic tables covered with bird droppings, with concrete pads very cracked and uneven. Outside light posts do not work. There are several full time residents that live for free and apparently are suppose to do maintenance, but I don't see it. Our weekend had beautiful weather, all hook ups worked fine. It is a shame to spend $45 a night and not really see the place maintained. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
October 2011
$40
Although it's listed in Santa Barbara, Cachuma Lake is closer to Santa Ynez (10mi.away). You have to go over the mountain to get to Santa Barbara(approx. 30mi.). It's a nice park with very clean bathrooms/showers. If you want your satellite TV to work be careful where you park. Trees near some sites will block the signal. We were originally going to set up on a 50amp site, but they had too many trees. They let you pick out which site you want and then go back to the gate and pay. We instead opted for a 30amp to get satellite. They have designated trails around the lake. Not strenuous at all. It's certainly quiet, but that might be the time of year. I would think it would be a pig in a poke to get in during the busy time since they don't at the moment take reservations. We also thought the rates were a little high for the latter part of Oct. Also they had excellent security. The only reason we stayed was because of our reservations in San Diego were for Nov. 1st., and we needed some place to burn a few days, and this was a nice place to do it. Nothing really bad to say about it. We would stay here again. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
October 2011
$40
This is a county park situated about 21 miles from Santa Barbara on Lake Cachuma. It is a very large area that has full service RV sites in addition to Dry and Large Group Camping. It is easily accessible off of Hwy 154 and Big Rig friendly. As with most county parks it is a little, "Rough around the edges." Many of the sites need some major pruning as low lying branches can damage your roof. The concrete pads are cracked and not level. My friend's power service had the polarity reversed. This is a very large area so you will always find a spot. The park is well run with excellent security. The roads are wide for big rigs but watch the trees! We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
September 2011
$24
Stayed over Labor Day weekend with a church group in a group site. This is a big park and has a lot of things to do. Boat rentals are available. Lots of hiking and fishing, although we didn't catch any. They also have an astronomy program once a month. We will definitely be back. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
February 2011
$28
We liked this park very much -- it's large. The laundry facilities weren't operable when we visited. They charge for the swimming pool, however, we didn't use (low season and it was closed). It's a large, quiet park, but needs some repairs and maintenance. We enjoyed our visit and were pleased with the close proximity to Solvang. The area is beautiful. Definitely would stay again. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
May 2010
$38
Very spacious and well maintained campsite. Has level concrete pads. Great facility with general store, propane, bait and tackle. Nicest boat launch I've ever seen. Great area for walking. Very unusual for a public campground. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
March 2010
$28
This is an absolutely beautiful place. We camped in the dry camping area with our motorhome sideways to the lake - I mean right on the edge of it! We looked at the hookup areas, and they looked nice, too, but we really wanted to be in the best spot possible. The staff is very . This was an off time, too, so it wasn't crowded at all. I will note that our GPS was way off -could be that it's a TomTom (getting a Garmin - another subject). We arrived after dark, so it was a little difficult finding a site. Basically the ranger said go in, look around, and then let us know where you are, and then pay (they even gave us a ride to the station, too!). They have changed their pricing, too, and have added "premium" sites (which this was - #134) which cost a little more. The only reason I didn't rate this higher is that they also charge $3 per dog (and we have three) so three nights, three dogs cost us $27! Also, make sure your dogs (cats) have Frontline or Advantage up to date as there are ticks here, too. Access was good with a few overhanging trees, but not much. Lots of good hiking and an overall neat area close to the city. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
August 2009
$30
For a county-run facility, this campground is better than most. The place was well-managed, the staff was friendly and eager to help is get the site we wanted. But unless you're staying at one of the group sites, it's first-come first-serve here. I showed up to get a site at 6:30 AM on a Friday morning and there was only one RV site left. They usually sell out for the weekend by Thursday night. There were plenty of disgruntled campers being turned away throughout the morning. The southeast side of the campground, sites 12 -121, feature electric-water-sewage. Sites 125-176 are water and electric only. There is no Wi-Fi or cable TV. If you have a strong enough antenna you can pick up the local ABC affiliate ch.3 from Santa Barbara. Our AT&T & Verizon cell phones and our XM radio had great reception in the campground. If you want space for tents or peace then you should get one of the sites along the water. Not all of them have a view of the water but it's much better than getting one of the more-cramped back-to-back sites. I would've liked to swim in the lake (this is a fishing-only lake) but it was still nice to cool off by the shore from the nice breeze. All in all, we had a good time and will come back in the off-season when it's empty. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
May 2009
$28
Rate reflects a weekly, discounted one. Very nice large shady trees with lots of hummingbirds and acorn woodpeckers. Full hookup sites are paved, but pavement varies greatly among the sites. Some new concrete, others very broken. Nice affordable option from the coastal camping and quiet. Lots of room with most sites. Lots of speed bumps. Had good service with Verizon and ATT. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
September 2008
$18
We stayed in the full hook up section for two nights to check out the area. A very nice park to use as a base to go do other things. We went into Solvang and checked out Danish Days. I don't fish and the lake allows no human contact so bring your boats and fishing gear! The lake views are nice but unless I start seriously fishing I don't see a reason to go back. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
May 2008
$28
We spent 4 night at Cachuma Lake in our travel trailer. Our overall experience was good. The park is rather big as there are 400+ sites available however, only 100 have full hookups. As some of the other reviewers have written, the check-in process is over complex (especially checking in after hrs). For after hrs check-in, drive around and find a site, park your rig, and then drop 1 nights payment in the over night slot indicting the # of nights you will be staying. Pay the remaining nights the next day around noon after they collected the drop money from the night before. Discounts offered to several clubs so ask. (Note, no RV parking/setup after 10pm) In terms of the full hookup sites, some of them are pretty beat with big pot holes, we stayed in site 55 which was nice, minus the leaking water value. There is a nicely stocked general store onsite with a gas and propane station (prices were high like everywhere else) but, convenient. There is a nice boat dock and ramp with boat rentals which we did not uses. While the campground is a bit inland, it is still pretty close to Buellton, Solvang, Los Olivos and great wine tasting. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
May 2008
$28
I'm really trying to like this park. This was the second time we've stayed there. We like the lake and the hiking. People are surprisingly quiet on a holiday weekend for a county park. The price is right and being first come first served made it a great option for late planners. Here are my gripes: They have a window for checking in, however they don't use it. I was asked to pull ahead so I don't block one of the two lanes entering the park. There were already too many cars parked in the "pull ahead" area, and nobody was beside me or behind me. When I asked where I was supposed to pull ahead to and mentioned all the spots were filled, he told me "it doesn't matter, I just don't want you blocking the lane". My response was "so it's ok to block the lane as long I do it down the road and have to walk all the way back?". I don't think he was getting the concept, but that's ok. This was a minor complaint. My biggest complaint was about all the extra fees they charge. They charged us $10 a day for our car. If it were towed in, it would have been included. It would have been towed if my didn't have to run to the store really quick. I wanted to just disconnect the RV, take it outside the park, connect it up, and drive back through. But they said I'd still have to pay. I also have a well trained golden retriever (which couldn't hurt a fly if he tried) and I had to pay $3 a day for him. Did he really cost the park $3 a day in "maintainance"? Not to mention the constant baggering about being on a leash. So, the extra charges, the constant baggering and lack of firepits in the full hookup area are the reasons this rating is a 7. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
April 2008
$34
Beautiful setting and worth the drive into Santa Barbara. The RV sites have some broken cement but are huge. The lake was busy with a fishing tournament when we were there. We are planning on returning there at some point. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
March 2008
$30
Nice campground. Not much to do here if you don't fish. Take notice that the bait and tackle shop is closed Monday/Tuesday. (I found out the hard way.) Had to drive into Santa Ynez for fishing hooks. The shoreline is not easily accessible from the RV (hookup) areas. Had a great time though. Would recommend. Nice nature center for the kids. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
January 2008
$20
We enjoyed getting back to nature at this park. Plenty of room to pull our 40' coach in and didn't feel too close to our neighbors. Many critters in the evening to watch, including raccoons and skunks, which were very used to being watched by vacationers. The lake was beautiful and we enjoyed sitting out and having breakfast at the little restaurant at the lake. The price was right and surroundings were so enjoyable that we hated to leave and continue our trip. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
January 2008
$28
Rustic sites overlooking very large, beautiful lake, high up on a mountain. Quite a climb if coming up from the Santa Barbara side. Bring “IT” with you as there is no Wal-Mart down the street. Everything from tent sites to full hookup pull-throughs. Nicer than the average county park. A great place to spend time with the family or a large group get-together. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
November 2007
$28
Large sites with concrete pads. Pads not very level. Lots of shade trees in the full hookup section. Several trails along lake and campground. Boat ramp at Marina was closed due to construction. Nature center has a nice collection of stuffed birds, animals and a Chumash Indian display. There is even a naturalist at the center. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
August 2007
$22
I really can't complain too much about this CG. There really wasn't any major problems to speak about. But there were some little annoyances that add up to me ultimately not enjoying our time there. Some of them are under the control of the CG, some weren't. First of all, it was hot. I mean really hot. Every day was over 100 degrees. This is the aspect that isn't under their control. However, not allowing people to enjoy the lake (i.e. swim in the lake) is ridiculous. "No human contact allowed" is well marked all over the place. I don't understand this. I understand it's the primary drinking source for Santa Barbara, but I would hope they would still treat the water regardless before it hits Santa Barbara homes. If a bear can take a dip in the water, why can't I? The second issue I had was with the fees. Sure I got two dollars off my rate being military. But $6 a day to have a car there is ridiculous. If you tow the vehicle in, you don't have to pay anything. But if you drive it in, $6 a day. Then they want $3 a day for my dog. Are you kidding me? What does the dog do that makes the CG spend time, effort, or money on the fact that my dog was there? I picked up his messes, not them. An then there's the pool. I have been to park pools before where you had to pay to swim. I'm good with that. But it's not a flat rate here. It is a dollar per hour of use, per person. If you get a family of 5 that wants to cool off in the pool, your paying $5 an hour. When you do that for two hours a day times 5 days, that's $50 in pool fees. The last bit that annoyed me was when I registered. They gave me a list of open spaces I could choose from. As I went through, there were many open spots that weren't on the list that I would have rather had, but they didn't offer them and they couldn't give me a valid reason why when I asked. I think they were holding them for friends personally. Overall, it was a decent CG with better than average security. Would I go back? Maybe when it's not so hot and we could enjoy the couple of trails they have and do some kayaking on the lake. For the money though, you won't find a nicer CG in this area. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
May 2007
$22
Very nice park with large lake access and a few good hiking trails. Lots of teens in the tent areas but the RV area is great and more quiet. Only 30amp hookups. Each site has a grass area and a good distance from the neighbor. Cons: No Wifi. Concrete pad is not level. No reservations accepted (first come first get). We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
May 2007
$25
There are a wide variety of camp sites in this park. The map of the park made it appear that the full hookup sites were jammed together, so we looked at water & electric sites first. The full hookup sites were actually well spaced with concrete pad, and many sites were shaded by large trees so we chose to stay there. There is a store, a laundry, boat rentals, and many optional services. There are 7% grades between Santa Barbara and the campground. We would stay here again. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
April 2007
$22
Wonderful campground between Santa Barbara and Solvang. Large level cement sites in wooded setting with beautiful large lake and BIRDS everywhere. Full service, but only 30 amps. Many wineries in area. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
January 2007
$19
We love it here! Only inexpensive place we could stay near Santa Barbara that could fit us (37' motorhome + 27' car trailer) and weekly rate is only $132/week ($22/night, pay for 6 nights and 7th is free) so ends up $19/night! Plenty of room on our site for the motorhome, trailer, jeep cherokee, and motorcycle, as well as a picnic table and bbq grill. Full hookups. Dogs are supposed to be $3/night extra, but they didn't charge us for ours. Only 17 miles up Hwy 154 from Santa Barbara and 10 miles from Solvang, Los Olivos, and wine country, 8 miles from big Indian Casino. Boat rentals available also. We love it here so much, we are staying for the max 90 days they will allow us! Not crowded either, plenty of space which is good since they don't take reservations. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
March 2005
$25
Santa Barbara County Park system. No body contact with the lake water. Fishing is allowed. Dogs are $2/night. AAA/Senior discounts. Full hook up sites have concrete pads with lawn (watered year round)and large trees. Water & Electric only and dry sites are all lawn or dirt as the season (rain) dictates. Quiet campground, we stay there frequently. Staff is very friendly. Solvang and Santa Ynez close by. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Camp Information
Sites
100
Date of Stay
March 2013
Latest Rate
$70
Hookups
Electric
50amp
Water
Sewer
Wireless Internet
Cable TV
Accommodations
Pull-Thru Sites
Big Rig Access
Waterfront Access
Shade Trees
Pool Access
Pets Allowed
Tents Allowed
Family Friendly
Latest Review Information
Ratings (Last 10 Newest/Oldest)
8 8 8 10 6 9 8 10 9 7
Clean Restrooms (Last 5 Newest/Oldest)
Clean Showers (Last 5 Newest/Oldest)
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
March 2013
$70
Stayed here last March (not Spring Break) and gave it a "10". Still a great park but the staff did not enforce the pool rules and "Laundry" rules. My grand kids LOVED the place; spent most of the time in the pool with other spring breakers and enjoying the tide pools. The spring wildflowers were beautiful and I came face to face with a mountain lion on one of the trails behind the park. Will be back but not in the summer or spring break. We camped here in a Tent Trailer.
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Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
February 2013
$63
Nice park. Winter rate reflects Good Sam discount for ocean premium site. Clean park with modern facilities and dog friendly. Park is close to beach (short walk) and canyon hikes. Somewhat isolated, but nice stars at night. Convenient to deli with well stocked supplies. Will return. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
January 2013
$40
We took advantage of a deal where we got half off nightly rates if we booked several months in advance and prepaid our stay. We had never been to this campground and we really like the area. I received an email confirming the reservation but the quoted rate was full price. I called the campground and was told it was a computer glitch and my card would be billed the correct amount. I didn't think about it again until the day before the reservation. OK,,,long story short. This is a holiday weekend (MLK) and the discount was not offered. I explained what I was told and they did give me the discount. The park staff was very pleasant and accommodating. The campground was very clean and very well kept. We stayed in the pull through sites. You get a slight view of the ocean from most sites. The sites are a little tight on the sides and barely long enough for our 37' trailer. (unhitched) This campground is not in, nor close to Santa Barbara. (~20 miles) There is not a lot of places to walk a dog except in the park. There is a nice dog run though. Overall I liked the place. I do not think it's worth the regular price ($70/night) I would stay here again if I got a reduced rate. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
December 2012
$63
This is probably the nicest RV campground we've ever stayed at. Gorgeous views, nice facilities, great hookups, level concrete sites, good service—it doesn't get any nicer. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 6 / 10 ]
[ 6 / 10 ]
November 2012
$75
This park was nice for the first part of the visit, pretty empty in fact. The park started filling up towards Veterans Day which brought campers who did not keep their animals properly contained (loose, long tie-outs that allowed animals to come out into the road at children and other animals passing by) and it became apparent to us how close the campsites were as our neighbor campers built a fire in the fire ring just below our bedroom slide out, which was way too close. In addition, the day we were leaving, my husband went to unhook our utilities when our neighbors had tied their dogs out so close to our unit their dogs came aggressively at him as he went to unhook and he was obviously standing on our camp spot pad, not in their camp site. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
November 2012
$60
This park is well done. Sites are clean, flat, and relatively easy to get into. The staff is friendly and helpful. At our site one leg of the 50 amp service was dead. Told the clerk at the desk, and she sent a repair guy out within a few minutes. Down side is the freeway and train noise mostly when outside the trailer. Dog friendly as long as you stay inside the park. Walking paths go out from the park, but dogs are not allowed on the trails. All attractions are at least a 30 minute drive from the park with the exception if El Capitan State Beach which is just about a mile away ($10 entry fee). Wi-Fi was available but at some sites the signal was blocked by trees. The office staff said they are working on overcoming that issue. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
August 2012
$90
Beautiful clean campground. A bit pricy though. Not clear why it has to be that expensive. We stayed on many places of the same quality for half the price. It has a nice swimming pool and on a walking distance of 15 minutes you will find a great beach with seals and dolphins. The restrooms and showers are spotless. Great place to stay. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
August 2012
$90
Excellent campground. Only thing better than the facility are the personnel. Stayed 8/5 to 8/10, site 811 in tent trailer. Weather great, quiet, away from cities but close enough when needed. Beach close and access easy, pool on site, small store, great scenery on Gaviota Coastline. Great place to just hop in car and follow those side roads you have always wanted to checkout. Planning to return soon. We camped here in a Tent Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
July 2012
$90
First of all, this campground is not in Santa Barbara, it is about 6 miles north of Goleta. That's not really a problem because, for that area, it's about the only game in town if you want to stay at a decent place with all the amenities, near Santa Barbara. This is a really nice RV park and I have only two complaints. First, the Wi-Fi lacks bandwidth and quickly becomes unusable. My other complaint is the cost. $90 a night: seriously?? I have yet to find an RV park that is worth that! That being said, we will most likely stay here again because, as I said before, it's a really nice RV park. The sites are paved and roomy, it is well-maintained and the staff is friendly and helpful. And, at the risk of repeating myself, it's really the only game in town. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
June 2012
$120
Overall not a bad park but the first impression was not very good. They are pretty lax on the rules so when you pull in, there are towels and clothes hanging off of everyone's RV's and tents. Not terrible but again, the first impression is more like a big camp site by a lake instead of an RV park. The pool and spa were great but CROWDED. There is a large tent section at the park filled with families and EVERYONE was in the pool. Grant you, our stay was on a weekend in the summer. I'm sure it is normally not that bad. The walk to the beach is about a mile, no dogs allowed on the sand unfortunately. I would stay here again if it was part of a longer trip but I certainly would not make it a destination. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
May 2012
$90
This is a very nice park but not worth the price. It is a very long walk downhill to the beach (if you drive you'll have to pay $10 day use fee). Spaces are tiered on a slope, concrete with tables, and fire rings. Some landscaping (small shrubs & trees) between. Nice dog run. Clean restrooms, small laundry room. Lots of kids. There is a separate tent area that looks very nice but spaces are close together. There is also a resort at the bottom of the hill associated with this campground that has a store and deli that serves breakfast and lunch. They also have bicycles that campers can borrow. The nearest town (Goleta) is 10 miles away; Buellton/Solvang is 20 miles north, Santa Barbara 20 miles south. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
April 2012
$90
Ouch! Pricey, at $90 per night. But if we don't ding them for that, we loved it. Birdsong, beautiful vistas. Many sites are NOT level, so be forewarned. Immaculate bathrooms, and the friendly staff told us about free bikes to borrow. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
April 2012
$90
WOW...a fairly new and immaculate camp, concrete pads, up to date hookup units, great private showers, baths, pool and spa, friendly staff, magnificent setting next to El Capitan Resort. Of the over 80 camps we have been in this year, this rates amongst the top. We made instant friends with staff and fellow campers and had dinner parties together> It was hard to leave to see wonderful Santa Barbara and other points of interest. Plus there were horses in the tent campsite next door. Leaving LA it is worth the drive past Malibu to stay here. Only two drawbacks were the expense and poor Wi-Fi. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
March 2012
$70
Very nice park. Very clean and the sites are large and level. Good Wi-Fi and nice hook-ups. Fire pits at each site. Long walk to the ocean, but if you like to walk it is worth it. You can use the cafe at the El Capitan Canyon resort next door (good food). Some traffic noise from HWY 101. We would stay here again. Summer rates are a bit high, but if you want nice facilities, this is it. The staff is friendly and helpful. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
March 2012
$70
I loved this park; it was spotless and quiet. Close to Santa Barbara, Solvang and fabulous beaches; great hiking trails and bike rentals. We received a winter promotion of stay two nights third night free-we paid $140 for three nights. I understand the park is very busy in the summer with lots of kids so I am not sure if I would love to pay the season rate of $90 per night. I would definitely stay here again in the winter. We camped here in a Tent Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
March 2012
$70
Nice place with wider spaces than we've encountered recently, in fact enough room to pull the car in next to the motorhome (which sits on a concrete slab). There's also ample room for a picnic table and fire ring. Additionally, there's greenery between the spaces, giving some nice privacy. The park is very clean. We didn't use the restrooms but the laundry room was clean and all three washers and six dryers were in good condition. The pool area looked good, but we didn't use it. There is some highway noise as 101 is not far away. Also, it's a hike to the beach. Office staff said a 15-minute walk and I'm a walker but it took longer than that. There are also a couple of hiking trails up into the hills behind the park. Unless you're an Olympian, go the "easy" route, but even so, you'll wonder how they define "easy." Tent sites are on the road in and are some of the nicest I've seen. Just like with the motorhome area, there's greenery between the sites and where you pitch your tent has been leveled and had a nice layer of sand put down. Clean, like the rest of the place. I think $70 is on the pricey side, especially for a campground that's not on the beach, but we had to have Wi-Fi and this seemed to be our only option around. The Wi-Fi could be stronger. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
February 2012
$70
Generally speaking, this is a very nice park. Sites are large and very private with shrubs in between sites. We also liked the placement of large trash cans in between sites near the road so that one could easily dispose of trash. The park is VERY clean. We were here over Presidents Day weekend, and being retirees who live most of the year in a retirement community, we simply are not used to so many children, and the noise they create. Additionally, this campground does not provide very much in the way of choices of TV stations. For $70 per night, I think they should provide at least basic cable. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
January 2012
$70
Very impressed with this RV park. The facilities still look new. The on-site store is well stocked. The ocean view site has a concrete pad and paved parking spot for your truck or car. The site utilities are first class. We would definitely stay here again. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
January 2012
$70
We stayed here at an off season rate of $70 a night (buy 2 nights get 3rd free.) It's a good deal at that price. Would not pay full rates. The showers, pool, spa, and bathrooms were spotless. Excellent grounds keeping staff. Only about 20 or so cable channels. Good Wi-Fi reception. Nice views of the ocean, however El Capitan State Beach has much nicer ocean views with beach access. The staff was friendly, and check in was painless. Would definitely recommend. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
June 2011
$90
Wonderful vacation spot on and off property. Clean, modern facilities, well-stocked store, well maintained, and professional staff. Everything works well and is in good condition. Very nice pool and shower facilities, laundry room, bathrooms. Fun hikes, scooter and bicycle riding for kids, and BBQ with live entertainment next door at El Capitan. RV and camp sites. Great value. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
March 2011
$70
Immaculate. Slight ocean view. Slow Wi-Fi and limited tTV channels. Park is beautiful and very well maintained. Wish there was a rule on yappy dogs! Large sites with fire pit, BBQ and trash can. Store/deli on site. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
December 2010
$70
Quite pricey. We visited because we were attending a wedding at the park. Everything was clean and pleasant. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
November 2010
$90
Number one feature enjoyed by our family was the pool. It is heated (about 80 degrees), meaning it was great even though it was only about 50 outside. The sites are not big, but they are private enough. Plenty of nice trails are around, and the beach is at most a 15 minute walk. All around a great place to spend some time, even it if is pricey. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
October 2010
$76
Nice but very pricey. They get $90 per night in high season. Ouch. 10 miles west of Santa Barbara. Very isolated. I was playing golf in a tournament at the Sandpiper: a great course. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
September 2010
$90
I must admit I like going to nice and upscale RV campgrounds that have scenic views and are in prime locations. That’s how this website lured us in. This RV campground did offer a scenic view, restrooms were clean, and the grounds were maintained, however, that was it. Most RV campgrounds offer the same if not more. Our concrete site was not level (this was the first time we had trouble leveling our RV); you could really hear the hwy noise at night, and like some mentioned, it’s overpriced. My niece came and visited with us and we had a great time. She helped us get over the shock that we paid that much for ordinary. We would come back only if they have a 'buy one night and get one night free' offer. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
August 2010
$90
This was my second visit to Ocean Mesa and I have to say I was a bit disappointed this time. I realize that it is high season and that the campground was full while we were staying here. The site we got (850) seemed to be a general thoroughfare for the whole campground from the lower RV area to the dogpark, play park and open area west of the site. Despite asking campers repeatedly to not walk through my site, people continued to do so. There should be some type of barrier on one or both sides to prevent people from walking through ones site as common courtesy clearly no longer exists. The WiFi was non existant during our entire stay so the management really should not advertise that they have WiFi at all. Campers were VERY noisy at night and it seems that there was little if no enforcement of the quiet time rule. I hope Ocean Mesa sorts out these matters, especially when they charge the highest nightly rate that I have ever paid for a camp site. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
July 2010
$70
We stayed at this park when our first two nearby choices were not available. We're glad we did. Our stay was so enjoyable that we will return to this park anytime we want to stay on the southern end of the central coast or Santa Barbara area. Though the rate was the highest I have ever paid at an RV park, the excellence of the facilities made it well worth it. The pool, showers, store, and restroom facilities were the best I have ever seen. We especially liked that, in addition to the regular "gender specific" stall type shower facilities in the restrooms, they have a building with large, private, "unisex" showers that the wife and I shared (to save water of course). Another treat was the access to the lodge, restaurant, and store facilities at nearby El Capitan Canyon (owned by the same business) where they have an excellent summer concert series, organized hikes, and children activities. When we want a special treat, with easy access to the dog friendly beaches and piers in Santa Barbara County, we will return here every time. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
July 2010
$90
Great RV Park. It was easy to get in and out of. It has really nice facilities and the managers on site were very accommodating. We'll stay here again! We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
July 2010
$90
This is the most expensive park I have ever stayed in, and feel a need to be very particular. It well run and well kept up. My site was on the small side, but mostly surrounded by vegetation. We were here in the summer. Sunday through Wednesday, so it was pretty crowded. The problems, as others say, the internet is not very good. It is ok if your site at the tables by the office, but even then it went out occasionally. While they cleaned the bathrooms a couple of times a day, they did not clean from late afternoon until about 9am the next morning. Since the park was full, that meant that the showers were pretty bad when I went to shower at 8:30 am. Also there was no toilet paper in half the booths. This would be fine at the state CG across the street, but not at $90s night. They have a no-smoking policy, which I think it great, but they don't make a big deal of it (one small sign was all I saw, and on the very long list of rules), so I saw a fair amount of smokers. Our site had several butts. Here is my biggest complaint: the adjoining resort has a no amplified music rule, but the campground does not. On our first night, there were three people around us with music loud enough for us to hear. None of them were blaring it, so it was OK with the park. It was not terribly pleasant for us to have to hear all three at one time. There are expensive rigs at this park. I have never set up around so many rigs with outdoor stereo and TV setups! As I walked around there was one RV blaring music, while the owner smoked a cigar. ICK! I wouldn't go back when it was crowded. We camped here in a Tent Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
July 2010
$90
We stayed here for a 4th of July weekend and we were apparently fortunate to get a spot due to a cancellation. The address on the site says "Santa Barbara," but it's actualy about 20 minutes North of SB, and even further North in Goleta. It is in fairly secluded area uphill from highway 101. We had upper level sites by the hill. Ocean was barely visible from our site. Good. It's clean, well maintained with nice bathrooms, showers, pool, hot tub, etc. On uppper level sites, there are trees and hedges to make them more private. Bad. It's rather expensive. Not very close to water. I think it's about 15 minute walk to El Capital state park, which charges $10 if you drive down. Sites on the lower levels are not very private and road noise from 101 is pretty noticeable. Overall, we enjoyed our stay, but would like to get the sites on the upper level facing the ocean or corner lots. The problem is that there are so many people that make reservations a YEAR in advance and cancel later because the cancellation policy is quite lenient. Upper level lots for NEXT years' 4th of July is booked up partly because ONE person reserved 10 spots. That shouldn't be allowed. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
June 2010
$90
Disappointed with the campsite on arrival as the brochure photos depicted a more upscale site, and the sites only had peek-a-boo views of the ocean. For the price we were expecting luxury. However, our site, which was a premium site on the highest level, grew on us as the week progressed. There was a high hedge between the sites which gave us some privacy. We arrived mid-week and the campground was only half full and we had the pool to ourselves. However, the weekend it was full and it became rather crowded. Staff were helpful and the facilities were kept very clean. WiFi was sketchy and sometimes worked and sometimes didn't. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
May 2010
$90
We were here for 4 days. Based on ads, we thought we would be closer to Santa Barbara, but were pretty close. We also enjoyed the drive to Solvang while here. Everything was excellent, including the "Market" down the path. The avocado trees were fun: did you know they grew on trees? The Wi-Fi worked well, and the view of the ocean was nice. About a 15-minute walk to the beach. Hiking is available in the Canyon. While they stated no discounts because of the "peak" season, the days we were here the park was fairly empty. It was completely booked over the holiday weekend, though. Would we stay here again? At these prices, we may stay closer to Santa Barbara next time. (If discounts are available we would consider it: even a 10% Good Sam or multi-day discount would sway us. It's the thought that counts). The only thing that prevented a 10 was that the cement part of the site was a bit narrow for an RV with slides. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
April 2010
$90
What else can I say, but what a great campground. Even though the price is higher than I usually pay, it was well worth it. Nicely maintained campground, and all the buildings and services are up to date. The sister campground is beautiful, and the food at the market restaurant was great. Pizza and veggie burgers were delicious. The 11.75 mile loop hike was tough. Steep hills and not much to look at. Love this place. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
March 2010
$70
Nice park located next to 101 so there is a little noise. It has good staff and clean restrooms. Ask for the AAA discount when checking in or they will not give it. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
February 2010
$70
Newer Park with easy pull through sites for larger rigs (ours is 43 feet). Views of the ocean from a distance. The park is VERY clean with organized dog runs. The weekend we were there, there were more dogs than normal, which led to issues. The park said since they don't charge for Pets, people have spread the word. The pool is large and clean. The Canyon Market/Deli has a great breakfast and wonderful BBQ Kits. All sites have a concrete pad, bark covered patio area with a fire pit and picnic table. Hook-ups are wonderful. Would like a little more width to the spots. Will be staying there again. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
December 2009
$70
We were visiting family in the area for the Christmas holiday time. This was an outstanding find for us. Our stay was relaxing, the staff was very courteous, and the grounds were cleaned daily, (even on Christmas day). Access was easy from Hwy. 101, and the ocean views were wonderful. We will definitely stay here again. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
November 2009
$80
We travel to Santa Barbara for business a lot. We have stayed at Ocean Mesa for weeks at a time and I have felt that it is expensive. This trip was to relax and I discovered the full value of this place. It is not a place only to sleep. If that is what you plan to do that here, it will always be painfully expensive. Ocean Mesa is a place to park your RV while enjoying what they have and exploring El Capitan State Beach, El Capitan Canyon and the marvelous natural environment here. When you walk around with your eyes open and explore the area, you will enjoy the natural beauty of El Capitan State Beach. Just a short walk from Ocean mesa, the beach is marvelous and seemingly always quiet. Closer is El Capitan Canyon resort that has a wonderful appeal and a market restaurant that is very high quality. A morning walk into the canyon for coffee and a breakfast burrito is a great way to start your day. Ocean Mesa is one of the best appointed campgrounds we have stayed in. We are full time business campers and we have stayed in a lot of places. This is a top 10 for sure. The attention to detail is amazing. Between the beach, canyon and the mesa, we felt like we had been in a place designed by Disney Imagineers. This is more like a hotel stay without the funky rooms. You even pay your bill when you leave. Not an overnight place to park, but a destination for sure. Come to Ocean Mesa, spend the $80-$90 a night and make sure you experience all that they have to offer. It may not seem important, but even the maintenance people use brooms instead of a gas powered leaf blowers. :-) I know it is sort of a strange thing to notice, but we have been at ORA’s where the lawn mowers and leaf blowers are like a precision drill team designed to irritate at all cost. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
October 2009
$81
Sites are concrete slabs, and roadways are paved. Growing shrubs provide some modicum of privacy between sites. Lower areas, closer to #101, there is road noise. Higher on the grounds, the view of the ocean is fabulous. Very clean and well maintained. Swimming pool and hot tub were terrific. Very expensive by most standards, most likely related to its proximity to Santa Barbara and LA. Not quite a "ten" but close. Very accommodating and courteous personnel. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 6 / 10 ]
[ 6 / 10 ]
September 2009
$90
Beautiful views, but unfortunately it's just another big open parking lot, with sites right on top of each other. We stayed inside mostly, except when traveling around the area. The grounds are not very well kept up. It's a huge open meadow that would be fun for play, but its full of crab grass, stickers and weeds. Nice shower and facilities but you can find those at a hotel, for less. Although, if you want to tour the Santa Barbara area, this is an excellent choice since its difficult to find lodging at this price or availability. Down the hill is the awesome public campground at El Capitan, (without many amenities, but just lovely and almost on the beach), but that one is booked 12 months out! The Wi-Fi here was very unreliable: dropping off all the time. If you need it, camp close to the office. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
September 2009
$90
An excellent park and service from the staff. Was well worth the price. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
June 2009
$95
This is truly a place you’d like to come and stay for a while. Too bad we only had 4 days . Proximity ( thought not physically) to US 101 and the RR tracks are an unfortunate feature that must be overlooked if you want to stay anywhere on this magnificent piece of coast line. If you don’t consider train whistle’s romantic you might be disappointed. The views are unobstructed. The facility is first class and they’ve dumped a ton of cost into this park so expect first class pricing. You do get what you pay for, most assuredly. The restaurant and store at the adjacent resort are but a short walk down the hill and the food and merchandise were good and ample. There is no dearth of hiking trails throughout the surround landscape with different lengths and levels of difficulty. There were also some bike trails although a little overgrown. All-in-all a 10 and we’d come back again We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
March 2009
$70
Excellent care to grounds, beautiful area, nice people in office. But for $70 off season, I would have liked the promised ocean view not blocked by the long side of a Class A on the level below. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
March 2009
$70
You get what you pay for! Ocean Mesa is top notch all the way. The staff are all very friendly, so helpful and just a pleasure to have a conversation with. The grounds & buildings are kept immaculant. I recommend strolling down to the Market & Deli. I will stay here again next time I am in Santa Barbara. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
February 2009
$99
This is a beautiful park, but too expensive. There is no internet to speak off--spotty and slow--and a lot of noise from Highway 101. There is a nice pool and hot tub overlooking the ocean. The sites are fairly close together and there are a lot of campers in tents. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
January 2009
$70
Great staff! We came here over MLK weekend and it was packed. We've been here over the years and it's great to see they kept up. Very clean & Very friendly. Will always come back here. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
November 2008
$90
The park was very clean. There were privacy bushes between most sites. The higher sites have a limited ocean view. Not all sites have an ocean view as was stated over the phone. There is some traffic noise since it is close to highway 101. We were there over a holiday weekend so the price was higher. This is a very expensive park but was very nice and only a couple of years old. The people at the desk were very helpful. One good thing is that you can ask for a certain site and they will guarantee it. There is a lot of lighting at night so we felt very safe. The hookups were very convenient. I will stay here again. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
September 2008
$90
Really nice park. We camped over labor day weekend and it was packed. Nice pool, jacuzzi and playground. Close to El Capitan. It is beautiful and you can get ocean view sites from the upper level. Definitely expensive and I'm sure we payed a premium because it was a holiday weekend. About 20 minutes back to Santa Barbara. We would stay here again. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
September 2008
$90
I am here now for the night. I made reservations for the weekend, but upon arrival could not stay where the real views are. Up above. My rig was too big they said. So, for the money we decided one night would be enough. The park is clean and dog runs very clean. Just too much money for what you get. Employees are somewhat nice. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
August 2008
$90
A very nice park, but I wouldn't stay there again because of the price. Just too expensive for me. The only other negative is that they didn't enforce quiet time, and the kids started making noise very early each morning. The park photo on the Internet suggests, I think, that the sites are on the ocean. In fact, they're across the highway and up the hill. Some have an ocean view, however. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
July 2008
$90
Like the other reviewers, I found this to be a wonderful park. It's clean, well kept, the staff is friendly and helpful. The fenced dog run is well kept. I would have rated this park higher but for the nightly rate. I think that $90 per night is excessive. At $20 less it would be a ten. We will probably stay there again as we cannot stay as the state park across the freeway due to rig size. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
July 2008
$90
This park has been reviewed many times so not much to add here except the following. Price is too high for the amenities in the campground. Wifi didn't work, I asked the campground employees about it and they said that it was working. I then thought that it might be my laptop but when returning home I went to the library and it worked fine there. Probably won't return. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
June 2008
$90
The view from our site (872) was incredible of the Pacific Ocean. We had a large pull-through site with a fire pit and full-hookups. They had live music on Saturday night (sorry to say, we couldn't make it). Although this was the most expensive campsite we have ever had ($90/night), it was worth every penny! The staff was wonderful, the facilities were clean (including laundry, pool/spa, etc.)and there is even a hiking trail. I would highly recommend Ocean Mesa and am sure we'll be back! We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 6 / 10 ]
[ 6 / 10 ]
February 2008
$70
We just got back from Ocean Mesa, and it was a lovely experience except for two major faults. I was hoping for a quiet weekend to catch up on some work, and chose this campground since WiFi was advertised. I figured the extra cost was worth it. Much to my chagrin, there was no WiFi available. Walking up to the office I was told that they didn't know what was wrong, and although the office staff told me they had rebooted the system, I was never able to connect. Ergo, no Internet. And while the park is immaculately clean, and the view nice, $70 for one night is too steep given the amenities. I wish I could go back again, but the cost to benefit ratio just isn't there for me. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
January 2008
$70
This is a nice new RV park. There are nice ocean views, and the park is less than a mile to El Capitan State Beach. The spots are paved concrete with bushes that separate each campsite. There is also a picnic table and fire ring at every site. The only negative thing that we found is that there are no close restaurants nearby except for the deli at El Capitan Canyon (resort campground that is walking distance from Ocean Mesa) which was good but expensive. There is also a new play structure and an large grassy area for pets. We did not use any of the other amenities since we were just passing through. Overall, it is nice, but pricey for an RV campsite but we would still like to come back again when we have more time to enjoy it. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
January 2008
$56
This is a beautiful RV Park. We got a great winter rate because of the 20% discount, but doubt we would stay here when the rates are $85.00: ouch. Beautiful ocean views and we lucked out with great weather. As the previous post says, there are no restaurants, et al around here some come fully stocked. Regarding their drive through spots: you must unhook your tow vehicle first. I thought this quite unusual. Otherwise a very nice park. You cannot beat the view. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
October 2007
$85
Brand new park in beautiful location with good views. But the rate is very high for any park and this one doesn't justify it, and they don't give any discounts. The facilities are very nice, looks like a great pool and spa, clean laundry, etc., but the place isn't finished yet. (e.g. The kid's playground structure is installed, but roped off because the space around it isn't completed yet.) The hookups and pads are concrete and brand new and the internet works great. Backing in our 40 ft motorhome was a challenge. The roads aren't quite wide enough and the 5th wheel across the street was in just the wrong place. I had to use the landscaped area to make the turn to back in. Given all the space they have to work with, the spaces are tighter than they need to be (and they should be much bigger for the price). This was a convenient stopping place on the way back north from Southern CA, but it is too expensive and not close enough to Santa Barbara (about 20 miles south), or Solvang (30+ miles north), to make this a destination site. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
September 2007
$85
Nice clean park. We were in a space that backed up to the trees, just below the office. WiFi was good. It was the weekend and there were lots of kids. For the back-in spaces, the street was a little narrow for a big rig, but manageable. The lots are not paved or concrete, but wide. The park has fire rings and sells wood which was great. The pool area was very nice and all amenities were very clean. The staff was friendly and helpful. Nice view of the ocean in the distance and great location to visit Santa Barbara and ElCapitan Beach. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
August 2007
$45
Great park, sites were large, private, level and we had a great view. Excellent set up and worth the money. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
July 2007
$85
This park is definitely a VERY clean park. It is brand new, I was told that they finished it in Oct. of '06. This is by far the nicest park I have stayed in. Everything worked great, the 50 amp service, water, sewage, and evey thing else. The only reason I gave it an 8 out of 10 is because of a few things. First, the walk to the beach is a very long one. I suggest you bring bikes or a tow vehicle. Second, the rules are very tight or at least that's the feeling my wife and I got. It is more than likely because it is so new. Finally, the smell of sewage was pretty strong at times, but not that often. Once again, probably because it is such a new park. There is stuff to do with that kids. The pool was spotless as well as the facilities around it. Also in the sister property next to the CG, (El Capitan Canyon) which is a short walk, they had a band playing on Saturday night which was a lot of fun for my 2.5 year old daughter. The price is a tad on the steep side, but overall it is a nice getaway for a family. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
April 2007
$85
Everything you could want in a campground at 1/2 the price. Perfect location, beautiful views, terrific trails. Each campsite has a nice fire pit, although, the rustic nature of the picnic tables are not very functional. Wifi is free, and good reception, but did not work the first night. Staff was much less then helpful with this. Did I mention how expensive it is. On the other hand, it's Santa Barbara, if the state campgrounds are full, and you want the facilities of an RV resort, you just cannot beat this place. One side benefit to the price is there are many sites available without need of reservation, at least this time of year. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Camp Information
Sites
135
Date of Stay
March 2013
Latest Rate
$1
Hookups
Electric
50amp
Water
Sewer
Wireless Internet
Cable TV
Accommodations
Pull-Thru Sites
Big Rig Access
Waterfront Access
Shade Trees
Pool Access
Pets Allowed
Tents Allowed
Family Friendly
Latest Review Information
Ratings (Last 10 Newest/Oldest)
7 9 9 5 9 8 9 8 8 8
Clean Restrooms (Last 5 Newest/Oldest)
Clean Showers (Last 5 Newest/Oldest)
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
March 2013
$1
Thousand Trails members rate. Park is in a beautiful setting, but the drive in is a bit difficult as it is over very steep large hills from 101 northbound and then ends via a very narrow access road with corners so tight they have mirrors mounted to see around the corner! Luckily no traffic coming out as we went in. Most of the park is tiered with lots of tall grass, hills and trees surrounding dirt and gravel sites. VERY quiet and peaceful. 30 amp electric is steady, good water and we got strong Direct TV with no issue. Verizon was very marginal but with my signal booster got out fine. We would come here again. This is about 24 miles out of Santa Barbara; a slow, curvy drive to be sure. No quarrel with park itself. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
February 2013
$1
Second time at this campground and our rate is Thousand Trails member. We enjoy this location. For us it's close to home in miles but seems like you're out in the wilds. Campground has 30 amp power, good water, and sewer connections. Lots of areas to explore and walking trails to enjoy. Plenty of mule deer in the campground at dusk and into the night. Adult lodge allows internet access and Verizon cell worked but only single bar. We stayed here in site #1 and we will return. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
October 2012
$1
Spent 5 nights here during mid-week through weekend. Our rate is with Thousand Trails Zone Pass. AS with others, the last part of the drive into CG is narrow, but we had no problem. CG was fairly full although all the facilities we mostly had to ourselves. The adult clubhouse was well equipped with nice lounge and pool table. We checked out the swimming pool(heated pool was closed for repairs), but both pools looked in good shape as well as the heated spa. All utilities worked well(30 amp power, water and sewer), Cell phone coverage was limited. We didn't have our computers with us so we don't know about Wi-Fi although we saw several with their computers in the lounge area's. Lots of wildlife about at dusk and dawn(mule deer, wild turkeys, fox). All in all a very nice time and we will return. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 5 / 10 ]
[ 5 / 10 ]
September 2012
$15
WARNING. Getting to the park and getting anywhere from the park is extremely difficult. It is 15 miles past Santa Barbara over and around mountains. Then you exit onto the approach road which is smaller and more difficult to maneuver. And then like Disney World, you reach the entrance only to find another mile of harrowing driving. I have a 26 ft class A diesel with a tow and was very concerned most of the way. Once arriving for our 3 night visit we decided that going back and forth to SB would be too difficult even with just a car, so we forfeited our prepayment through RPI and left. The park seemed nice, but the ride was not. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
July 2012
$58
Were told about this hidden gem of a campground by a friend. We liked is so much that we actually joined Thousand Trails because of the campground. Lots of activities to keep busy with if you want to stay in the campground all day. Decent movie selection at the store with recent movie rentals. Lodge's are very nice and well maintained. Site was level and all utilities were close and worked well. We will definitely be back as we belong to a few wineries in the area and this will be our stop to pick up our wine a few times a year. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
June 2012
$1
Nice, well maintained Thousand Trails park with lots of activities. There was no 50 amp service and it was over 100 a couple of days so we really missed having the extra power. Sites are dirt, but lots of trees. Got good satellite and fair cell service (At&T) and internet (Verizon MiFi) with booster. Only real problem we saw, was the road to the park. It is only wide enough for one rig going one direction. If you meet another rig coming the other way, one of you will have to back up quite a distance. It would be nice if they could enforce having rigs go out before noon and rigs come in after noon. I'm surprised there hasn't been any fatalities with the current setup. We would definitely camp here again. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
July 2011
$1
Nightly rate reflects membership in TT Zone Pass. My wife and I spent 10 days at this resort over the 4th of July. It was our first trip to this resort. The view from your campsite is like looking at a postcard. The mountain views are spectacular. You are a thirty minute ride down the mountain to the beaches at Santa Barbara or the little Danish town of Solvang. Don't miss either of these destinations. The staff were always friendly and the grounds and restrooms were clean. Food is available on weekends at breakfast, lunch and dinner and the food was good. The only negative item and the reason I can't give Rancho Oso a "10" is the entry road to the campground. It is approx 1.2 miles from the entry gate to the guard shack and the road has many sharp curves and is very narrow most of the way. There are very few areas for two RV's to pass each other on this entry road. Enter in the afternoon after people have left the resort in the AM. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
December 2010
$1
Rancho Oso TTN is a horse ranch, with boarding facilities and trail rides. Weekly the Preserve manager hosts a bull-bucking show and a cow dog demonstration in the arena that is well worth the time spent. The staff is very helpful and the facilities are clean. They hold a wine tasting here, local vintners, and raffle some of the wines to the participants. Solvang is a great little town to visit from here. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
July 2010
$1
The price reflects membership. Good secure site. We unhooked car as the road to this RV park is very narrow. Was plenty of room between sites. Has a very nice swimming pool. Adults only 10.00-11.00am and 3.00-4.00pm. Spa is 18 and over at all times. Would return. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
September 2009
$25
This was a great experience: our first outing in a motorhome and it was a blast! The staff was exceptionally friendly and the place was immaculate. It would be nice if they made one pool an adult pool and the other a kid's pool. There were a couple exceptional hikes at the ranch. The waterfall hike kept the temperature at 75 degrees when it was about 100 degrees outside. An amazing mossy, naturally air-conditioned habitat. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
July 2009
$50
My wife and I spent 3 nights here in July and we really loved it. The RV sites are tiered which really gives a nice view of the surrounding area rather than looking at another trailer. The park has nice amenities. The only real negative is the entrance road..Very narrow, not sure if two RVs could pass each other??? Will definitely camp here again. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
July 2009
$1
We stayed in this park as Thousand Trails members. Like most Thousand Trails parks, staffing and funding have been significantly reduced. The Rancho Oso staff have done a fine job however with their limited resources. The park is clean and well maintained for the most part. The pool is inviting and the little store is well stocked. All of the RV sites have an exceptionally clear view of the southern sky, so satellite reception is a breeze. The adult lodge is very clean and has WiFi. The park overall is quiet and relaxing. The access road entering/leaving the park can be tight and hazardous. Meeting another RV will require a great deal of maneuvering. If you tow a car behind your motorhome, I highly suggest that you disconnect it before taking the access road. You can do this on Paradise Road, about 2 miles south of the park. That way you have the option of backing up should you meet another RV. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 10 / 10 ]
[ 10 / 10 ]
January 2009
$1
This is another great preserve in the Thousand Trails system. It is close to Santa Barbara and the "Sideways" wine country. We will stay here again when in the area. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
November 2008
$10
Camped here as an Resort Parks International member. Rancho Oso is a horse ranch, so the cool thing is that there are a lot of horses around as you drive in. They do offer trail rides and a few other ranch activities. The facilities are very nice - there is a well-maintained adult lodge with free, albeit slow, wifi, a pool table, book exchange, tv, common areas, etc. There is a family lodge for the kids to enjoy, 2 pools (one heated year-round), a hot tub, mini-golf, horseshoes, tennis, basketball, etc. There are a lot of activities and meals, and what's nice, is it's year-round (too many campgrounds stop the fun activities off-season). All this being said, however, we were disappointed that the camping spots weren't nicer - it's dusty here - no grass. The campground is row-upon-row of RV sites, and although decent in size, they're just dirt, not even a concrete slab. You are in the middle of nowhere, so whether this is good or bad is up to you - it's about 30 minutes to Santa Barbara. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
July 2008
$0
I liked this park. It has two swimming pools and a hot tub. You need to be in sites 1-30 to have a campfire (we were and did). There is a real feel of community here. The flies were bad. I guess it is to be expected because this is a working horse ranch. WiFi in the adult lodge. Mini-golf was fun, and the wives had fun with the crossword puzzle. We will go back. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
April 2008
$23
We stayed here for 2 weeks as it was a membership park for Thousand Trail. Its a heck of a narrow road and only one way in part of it, with a stop lite, and 3 mirrors to watch while driving in. Once down the hill you see the beautiful Ranch with lots of horses. Overall it was nicely maintained with lots to do. Would stay again. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
[ 8 / 10 ]
September 2007
$8
Excellent park. Access is via a long narrow one lane road. Facilities were generally excellent. Free WiFi in the vicinity of the Adult Lodge only. This is a Thousand Trails park but we visited as an RPI member so we paid $8 a night. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 9 / 10 ]
[ 9 / 10 ]
April 2006
$8
This is a lovely campground located in the mountains. The views are spectacular. The staff is excellent and security is good. We stayed here for 2 weeks and would return anytime. Located about 15 miles from Solvang, CA. The campground is also a dude ranch so you can go on horse rides. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Camp Information
Sites
33
Date of Stay
January 2013
Latest Rate
$50
Hookups
Electric
50amp
Water
Sewer
Wireless Internet
Cable TV
Accommodations
Pull-Thru Sites
Big Rig Access
Waterfront Access
Shade Trees
Pool Access
Pets Allowed
Tents Allowed
Family Friendly
Latest Review Information
Ratings (Last 10 Newest/Oldest)
1 5 1 1 4 4 4 7 5 1
Clean Restrooms (Last 5 Newest/Oldest)
Clean Showers (Last 5 Newest/Oldest)
Review Rating
[ 1 / 10 ]
[ 1 / 10 ]
January 2013
$50
Our least favorite RV park that we stayed in during our 20 days on the road. Crowded, muddy, poorly lit. No light in rest/shower rooms. Asked a very tall guest going by if he knew how to get some light and he showed me how to turn the lights on in one of the two bathrooms. To do this myself I would have to stand up on the toilet and reach high up. I am 5'10". Would not recommend this park to anyone. Not a very desirable part of town. Right beside freeway. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 5 / 10 ]
[ 5 / 10 ]
June 2012
$55
We call in the morning to see if they had room, was told they only had one spot left so we took it not knowing anything about the park. Not much of a campground, very small sites, manager was nice, no grass (it was all dead). In order to get to the bathrooms and showers you had to walk into someone's campsite which I did not like doing. Overpriced for what you get, right next to freeway. Santa Barbara does not have many RV camps so you have to do with what you got. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 1 / 10 ]
[ 1 / 10 ]
March 2009
$60
This is the worst RV park we have ever stayed in! It is right next to the freeway, and we were literally in their driveway. Most of the sites are taken with permanent residents, and it is located in a residential area. It is not within walking distance of anything but the freeway. And it is far too expensive for what they are offering, other than the Santa Barbara address. We would never stay here again. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 1 / 10 ]
[ 1 / 10 ]
March 2008
$60
We were told there would be no problem with our 40' rig when we called for a reservation, this being the only RV park in Santa Barbara. It was a joke! We literally were parked in their driveway! It is next to the freeway , which you hear all night. It is not near the beaches and restaurants, which is what they advertise.It is in a very poor part of town. And the charge is exhorbitant. We would never stay here again. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 4 / 10 ]
[ 4 / 10 ]
January 2008
$45
The only park we ever pulled out of, after seeing the place. We could not figure how to fit our 32 and 35 footers into the assigned, supposedly pull-through, sites. If we could fit, we would have to park our Toads elsewhere, possibly on neighborhood streets. The closeness to the highway was also a turn-off. We moved on. The Manager was understanding and gracious. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 4 / 10 ]
[ 4 / 10 ]
February 2007
$50
As Indicated in the other reviews this is the only RV Park in Santa Barbara. It is very tight for a 40' motor home, so I wouldn't consider it big rig friendly. The sites are very small and it is very noisy despite the noise barrier along Route 101. The local residents like loud mufflers and run up and down the street till late at night and start around 7 am in the morning. Very basic park and expensive for what you get, a place to park with hookups. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 4 / 10 ]
[ 4 / 10 ]
February 2007
$50
Had I have known that this campground was literally 20 feet from a very busy freeway, I obviously would have stayed elsewhere. You won't need an alarm clock here, the traffic starts around 4:30 in the morning. We did leave 2 days prior to our original departure date. Campground is very basic and expensive for what there is here. However, this is the only campground in Santa Barbara. It is in an older, lower income area. Do yourself a favor go to another campground further north or south of Santa Barbara. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Review Rating
[ 7 / 10 ]
[ 7 / 10 ]
January 2007
$45
Space is at a premium in Santa Barbara and this is the only RV park available. Very tight to maneuver within the park. You are right off the 101 highway, vehicle noise is very noticeable and it is very dusty due to the highway traffic. It is a very pleasant, quaint park and the office is very helpful and friendly. I stayed for three months while working and would definitely stay here again. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 5 / 10 ]
[ 5 / 10 ]
June 2005
$45
The park is in the older part of town, and it is right next to Hwy 101. But if you need to stay in Santa Barbara its self, its very covenant. If your looking for a camping experience do not stay here. The staff was pleasant and very helpful. If I had to come to Santa Barbara and had no transportation I would stay here (no toad) bus line close by. If not I would stay north or south of town at one of the state beach camp grounds. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 1 / 10 ]
[ 1 / 10 ]
2004
$40
This Park was the Worst. It is located in the worst part of Santa Barbara and my site was
about 15 feet away from the freeway barrier wall. When Calling for reservations, the proprietor makes this park sound delightful and high end. I would rather have stayed in the parking lot at Wal-Mart. The problem is that this is the only RV park in the Santa Barbara area. Drive further south and try to stay along the coast at the beach. We camped here in a Motorhome.
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