Expert: Steve Summers - 3/7/2006

Question
Hi steve, i wanted to get more info on Carpinteria SB. Im planning on going the 1st of April for my birthday with a few friends. I wanted to know if its only a RV camping or tent is also allowed. I would be looking for a tent campsite along the beach. I have friends from michigan who have never seen the ocean, and want to find the perfect place! Also, i wanted to know if there is a firepit at each of the tent campsites. Ive been disappointed at a few places where firepits were not allowed. Gotta make s'mores! I read your brief reply to "veronica" about this site and became very interested. If you can tell me as much about it that would be helpful in making a decision on where to make our reservations. Again, we would be camping 2 nights on april 1st-3rd, coming from los angeles.

Any information would be greatly appreciated,
Kim

Answer
Hi Kim,

All sites at Carpinteria have fire pits. RV camping is in the San Miguel/Santa Rosa sections of the park. Tent camping is in the Anacapa Santa Cruz section of the park. If you want to stay as close to the beach as possible, you will want to stay in the Santa Cruz section, closest to the ocean. Check out the photos at http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=3383&mode=sequential&... Coordinate this with the maps at reserveamerica.com, and you can get a good idea of your location.

However, I must warn you that sites have probably been booked for months, and you will be lucky to get anything. Actually, I just checked, and all the tent sites are booked for the night of the 1st, since it's a Saturday. There is a possibility of showing up early Saturday by 8AM, but it's hit-or-miss, with no guarantees. There are some sites available Sunday and Monday nights, if you can arrange your arrival date. If you must arrive on April 1st, then I noticed that Refugio has availability. it's another 25 miles up the coast from Carpinteria.

Have fun,

Steve