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Refugio State Beach, Goleta

3.8

#3 of 13 in Things to do in Goleta

State Park Nature / Park

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Refugio State Beach is a protected state beach park located west of Santa Barbara, California. It is west of El Capitán State Beach. During the summer months, the Junior Life Guard program resides at the beach during the day.
The Refugio oil spill occurred just north of park in 2015 when a pipeline ruptured. The spill went into a culvert that ran under the U.S. 101, and into the ocean. The spill spread over 7miles including this park and El Capitán State Beach. The parks were closed during the clean-up including the typically busy Memorial Day Weekend.

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Refugio State Beach Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

121 reviews

Google

4.5

facebook

4.7

734 likes

Google

• By Rick Gonzalez

  Wonderful, relaxing and enjoyable beach. This California beach not only allows one to chill out under the sun and lounge, but if you like to fish, you can. If you want to picnic, you can. If you want to camp, you can. This palm-laden beach location offers an incredible view of the sunset. It is not far from the urban areas, so accessibility was quick and easy. Also local eateries and shops are almost a stone’s throw away.

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• By Aimee B

  Decent camp ground on the beach. Did not see any rats like others said. However there are lots of gophers and squirrels. Definitely nice for families with small kids or those who like paddle boarding and kayaking since there are very little waves. There is a small point for surfers but its not anything to write home about. The beach is lined with large palm trees and the beach had eroded leaving most of them hanging by the roots, cool and scary. The camp store has basic amenities but doesn't have any souvenir items, not a deal breaker.

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