Jalama Beach County Park

Love this beach, it’s secluded and clean! Not many people were out so it was nice to take my dog out to play off a leash for a bit. Camping grounds are nice as well, a lot of amenities.

Great surf, wonderful camping. Nice little store and famous burgers served right on the beach. Warm showers if you don’t mind paying for them… They also offer cabins if you don’t want to rough it.

Camped at the infamous Jalama Beach last weekend with a friend and the experience was very, very good. Things I like about Jalama… It’s far removed from freeways, highways and civilization. You’re 14 miles on a winding, rural, dead-​end road from PCH, which is perfect. The wide, clean beach is right there literally on your doorstep and this location is good for surfing. The price is on the steep side, but considering the location and amenities, it’s about right. The campsites are well maintained, clean and well-​organized. Ours had been raked before we arrived and the firepit was empty and ready to go. There are no BBQ pits — only fire rings with a grate and a picnic table. This facility has excellent showers, which take quarters. The hot water worked perfectly. perhaps the best thing about Jalama is the fantastic ocean view. The sunsets here are postcard perfect. Just wow! California at its best… And of course the famous Jalama Hamburgers really are amazing! Save the beanie-​weenies and eat Jalama burgers instead…
However even paradise has a few kinks. The prices at the small on-​site market are very high. Remember to bring everything you need from home so you don’t get raked over the coals. The vast majority of campsites have no shade. There’s a few palm trees and some myoporum shrubs around, but real trees are few and far between. Another issue here is wind. It can get extremely windy, especially at night after the sun goes down, so bring adequate clothes and stake everything down. If you bring food, make sure you lock it in your car or keep it in your tent. The seagulls here are ravenous and will fly off with whatever they can carry. The last little issue are the crowds. Jalama is packed almost every single weekend, so make your reservations early. They always keep a few first come-​first served sites available, but by Saturday, even those are gone.
We stayed in site #38, which had a good combination of easy access to restrooms, showers, water and the beach. The sites higher up the hill have superior panoramic views and the sites right on the beach have excellent beach access. There’s a few sites near the market which are simply flat dirt spots off the parking area. Jalama could greatly benefit from a few more trees, wind breaks and shade structures. Final notes: Make reservations here as early as possible. You can start 6 months in advance. Jalama is very dog friendly, but an extra fee is charged. There is a train track which runs behind the camp, however it actually adds to the charm of this spot. The trains slow down as they pass, and for train lovers, there’s a cool old trestle at the camp.

This place is Amazing!!! Took the family here for the weekend and it has got to be one of the most relaxing places on the central coast. We had a beautiful 32ft. travel trailer delivered (thanks to camptime rentals) and spent the entire weekend lounging around the trailer cause our campsite was literally «ON THE SAND». They do have a store there but you will want to pack everything you are gonna need because it’s a half hour ride to the nearest civilization. All said, We had a really great time here and will definitely be coming back to Jalama Beach Campground again, and again.

I adore this place! I fully believe I have a strong emotional bias due to the fact my family would camp here when I was a young child, frequently. But, even with that being said, every time I have gone to Jalama Beach, I have gained a new memory that is as good if not better than the previous one.
Now, to be a fair reviewer to future reviewees, it gets windy! If you do not go prepared for possible gusty winds, you could find yourself very frustrated. But to others, this wind is the power to their kite surfing or wind surfing. It is a bit of a hike off the main highway but it just makes it feel ever so much more special (to me at least… I like getting away from the world)!
The burgers sold here, the BEST!
You can camp via tent, camper, or even now cabins. Dogs are permitted at a small fee. Everyone is friendly and the sunsets are literally golden! To top it off, the park rangers are all great people passionate to be where they are and join the patrons in the in simple joys of the Jalama Beach life style.
Great for families with or without kids, couples, friends, or solo trips, I give Jalama 5 stars… But then again, I may just be bias!

I really nice to stay if you want to avoid monster big rigs. It has campsites for tents or megarigs. We have had a nice time here.

Campsites are nice, bathrooms are clean. You’re very close to one another and there is a mixture of RVs and tents. Doesn’t have a ton of activities around besides the beach. Surf was good, water was warm enough to go without a wetsuit but do not think that is always the case. The store on the campsite is great, has everything you may have forgotten and doesn’t jack up the prices. Campground is busy. This isn’t a get lost and don’t see another person camping experience. Lots of kids, dogs, playgrounds and big families. A great time if this is what you’re looking for! Can get windy at night-​but that keeps the Mosquitos at bay! There are day visitors that come into go to the beach, but I wouldn’t say the beach is super busy.

Beautiful campground! Our large group stayed at the abalone site, we fit 2 tent trailers and 4 tents comfortably (with enough parking for all our cars). View was amazing… prepare for the wind. Wind dies down for a bit in the late afternoon, but can be difficult for outdoor eating. Be sure to put away all food and trash. Our cooler was opened by a gang of raccoons and they stole all our eggs. The kids especially had a wonderful time, lots for them to do. Beach play, small waves but freezing water, play ground near snack shack, no bike trail but safe enough to ride through campground, perfect weather for flying kites. Bathrooms and showers clean and conveniently located throughout. Good food and groceries available at snack shack. No cell service, bring coins for the pay phone.

You drive and drive on this beautiful mountain road and wonder if you have taken the wrong turn. You can’t be distracted because you might miss the turn off sign. «Where finally is the ocean?». then you finally take the last turn and your mouth just drops as you descend to the campground on the beach. It was a beautiful view. The park ranger welcomed us kindly and off we went to a spot across the road on the beach. All I was thinking that the only way to have the best camping experience here is to nab a spot directly on the beach (the holy grail of spots are 58−59−61−62)…that’s the only way to go and have a very special experience indeed. But, it will take some doing in advance to have this opportunity. The answer, book months in advance in the off season. The weather is just as nice most of the time here in California plus it makes it a different kind of experience and just as good. Bring a blow up couch and just sit or take a loooong walk. most likely no one will be on the beach distantly. So again, do a «on the beach spot» and good luck with that. I actually am giving this secret away, but you will thank me for writing specifically mentioning the best way to enjoy this campground. I am going to make a reservation right now. see you there. I will have the blow up couch ready and will be swinging gently in my hammock from REI. Don’t forget to bring chocolate for the smore’s.

My parents have been camping here since they were teenagers (in their 50s now).
I’ve been camping here since birth (i’m 25 now), no joke, pictures of me as a newborn here!
One of the best places to camp ever. Lots of changes over the years but it’s still one of my favorite places in the world. The rangers are awesome too! We often go with an average of five families sprawled across 5 campsites and both the adults and kids can get a little rowdy. They’re very good about respectfully telling us to STFU after curfew, haha. Lots of fun for the whole family! Plus Jalama burgers are to die for!

Camping never sounds good to me but somehow I was convinced to go. In my opinion, sleeping in a tent under the stars only sounds cool if you were reading it in a book. My friend found out about the campsite by searching on the internet. She text me one day and said, hey want to go camping” and because I was feeling adventurous I said, «heck ya». We really wanted to go somewhere around orange county but everything was booked up. We chose this place because it has walk-​on sites. So I packed up my family (10 of us) and headed to Jalama beach around 5am on a monday. The drive was a straight shot on the 101 fwy no traffic at all I would definitely recommend going that early.
Heading to Jalama beach was quite the experience I wouldn’t imagine driving the 14 mi winding roads through mountains to end up at the beach. It was a nice drive. We arrive at the campsite and we were lucky enough to get the last walk-​on site. The location of our site was spot on we had campsite 4 it was next to the bathrooms, showers and the beach. The kiddos played on the beach, the older kids surf and the adults sat around the site cooking and cleaning. It was a nice mini trip away from the 9 – 5 grind. The weather was absolutely beautiful and hot however, the wind did pick up so beware it can get windy up in that mug.
If you are not a camper jalama beach is for you. Basically its a level 4 ruffing it. If you need to have a break from the beach you can drive out to lompoc its only 30mins away.
I would definitely camp here again.

Wow, imagine our surprise after a 14 mi. winding, rural road to make the last turn and spy this incredible secluded place with outstanding views, miles of beach and prehistoric bluffs to enjoy!
Very windy so dress warm and bring tent stakes. Important to note that there is a great store but it closes at 6pm and it is the only place to get firewood/​ice (and a great burger). Bathrooms/​showers cleaned daily which is a huge plus. Dogs allowed. Very quiet at night, not rowdy at all.
We were in site #33 and I would say NOT the best spot, in fact that section has no shade or charm. There are much nicer spots around the edges.
I will say it is disappointing that the camp was supposedly sold out but I counted at least 10 open ones even on Saturday. Sure some people don’t show up but I think the Parks need to find a better way to manage this so more people can enjoy and not have to try and book a spot 6 months out (right now they are showing no availability thru Sept). Be careful if you are counting on getting the first come, first serve spots because it is a long drive with no other option if you don’t get in.
Overall, as far as the places we have been this place still rates pretty high for a great weekend away 3 hours from home.

Absolutely loved this place!!! Hands down, one of the best places we’ve camped. It’s probably not ideal for the new camper. Windy road to get to the site, but the view is absolutely worth it. Who wants to camp right off the fwy anyway? Warning: for those who can’t unplug, there is no cell service. However, everyone I spoke to (including myself) didn’t mind, and actually enjoyed this. The campsites are very roomy compared to others. A reservation is highly recommended. If you want beach front, you may have to reserve it 6 months in advance. The bathrooms are cleaned everyday, and honestly I was surprised at how tidy they keep them, considering they are beach bathrooms. This place is ideal for surfers of all kinds… wind, kite, etc. It was a lot of fun watching all of them. It does get very very windy and chilly during spring into summer. Definitely bring warm clothes, extra stakes for your tent, firestarters, extra wood, your favorite bourbon, and your kite. There is a reason they call the Jalama Burger the best… because it is! And that’s not all they have. The menu was quite impressive (even vegetarian options). We actually ate here more often than cooking ourselves because of how delicious the food was. The people that run this store are so friendly and accommodating. For such a little store, they had everything… I mean EVERYTHING. Not a corner or a shelf goes unused. My fellow campers were probably my favorite part of this trip. Every person said good morning, stopped to chat, or were more than willing to help out another camper. Humans being humans??? What? Can’t wait to start planning the next trip here, and I’m only on the freeway after just leaving.

Wonderful beach camping especially in the off season when you can camp right on the beach. Isolated with a long windy road to get there. Definitely worth the drive. Popular with santa barbara count locals. Big with surfers.

So do I give it the 4 stars and it gets more attention or 3!!!
Yep 3!
Why –the crazy drive to get here– the cost just to park to begin.
The cabin rental prices 180 a night!!!
It’s a beautiful area but it was completely booked today (NOV 24 a Monday!!!)
The spaces for camping (and cabins) were crowded and nothing between for privacy so you could hear your neighbor pass gas… A little too cozy.
Yes, it’s beautiful but not secluded not quiet as expected.
So if crowded overpriced is your thing you will love it here.

This is a truly out of the way beach camp in Southern California. It is surrounded by undeveloped coast. The number of camp sites and day visitors is limited, so the beach is never crowded.
In my recent stay, we had RV site 114 one night and beach front site 53 the next. Both sites were only available for a single night. This is why we changed locations. The view from 53 is nothing but ocean, but it is next to the shower to clean off sand, so there was a lot of traffic next to the site.
The campground is family friendly. There are playgrounds for kids. Keep a close eye on kids when they go into the water. There can be an undertow and the water is cold.

I started coming here in the 80’s and then took a 19 year sabbatical. I still loved it. The waves were great and my dog loved the beach. The burgers are still wonderful but add extra sauce. It was a long wait for food. I was the first order and it still took 40 minutes for a breakfast burrito.
Yes there is wind, crazy wind at night but it is the beach and this is part of nature. Make sure to tie your tents or anything down. Also, don’t leave anything out. Raccoons come at night and sea gulls during the day.
The beach is nice but the current is strong. Watch your kids.
My only complaint is how crowded it is. Yes it is summer and I expect crowds but they made all the sites smaller and added more. For the most part, it was fine but neighbors had to walk through other sites to get out. Many had tents or cars on other sites due to lack of room. At night, if your neighbors were loud, or I should say any site within 7+ camp sites were loud, you would know their entire conversation.
Lastly, I did not appreciate the «yard work» being done at 7am during the busy season. Everyday there was some sort of cleaning going on and it started very early. As for the cleaning, it was chopping down trees or trimming the palms. I am not sure why they had to start at 7am not could they wait until September or have done this in May.

Spent the weekend here with the family full on tent camping!
First off I took my six year old and one year old my six year old had a blast!
Playing on the little swings and in the water at the beach (beach water is freezing)
My one year old on the other hand played mostly in the sand she had an amazing time too! As far as showers go make sure you take lots of quarters (25 cents a minute)
Extra toilet paper isn’t needed because they keep the restrooms stocked and somewhat clean (as clean as it’s gonna get)
I would say the most important is make sure you take something to tie down the ice chest because the raccoons know how to open it and they will eat ALL your food!
No internet and absolutely no phone service!
Will defiantly be coming back here next year!

There’s a lot to like about this place.
From the drive to camping on the beach to the famous Jalama Burger. It would only be a five star if no one else was there.
I really like this place for many reasons, that I can’t all name here, some things you just have to keep to yourself. :)