This is one of my favorite places to RV camp anywhere. I just love the feeling here, it's like going back in time to a stretch of California coast before it was developed. You can walk for miles along a beautiful beach (and dogs are allowed on the beach but PLEASE pick up after them!!).... Not to mention a hamburger stand with pretty good food and a general store in the middle of nowhere! The highest-tier hookup sites (electric only with water spigots nearby to fill up) where I always stay have awesome views up and down the coast. They are close together but who cares with such a view out the front, and a picnic table at the edge of view cliff! I am a writer and get really great ideas while staying here. It's always hard to leave. I'm just grateful for the privilege to camp here, and I overlook the shortcomings of some of the other reviewers, which, unfortunately are still true. The 15-mile road to get there should only be attempted by skilled RV drivers. It is hilly, windy, and usually in disrepair, though at least there is not much traffic. Since there are no reservations, you may be making that drive for nothing. You may want to stay instead at Flying Flags in Buellton and visit Jalama as a day trip. For us, since we are a 34-ft motorhome, there are only a few hookup sites that we fit into, which increases the risk for us since we make the long trip to get here for our panoramic view. We will only go on a winter weekday, and still call the park's daily recording first to get an idea of how crowded it is. If you are very lucky a ranger will answer the phone to give you a better idea. The campground did seem fairly poorly maintained, although the rangers were very friendly when we were there. Also, active train tracks run adjacent to the campground, although the wonderful sound of the surf screens it out fairly well. The fees have gone up in recent years, now up to (for hookups) $30/$28 senior or travel club plus $3 per dog. We camped here in a Motorhome.

I see it's been awhile since anyone rated this site. We elected to dry camp, as we felt that an extra $10.00 per night was too expensive. Besides, we have 3 dogs, and at $3.00 per dog per night, we decided dry camping was the better choice. There is a bi-directional dump station and a separate potable water source away from the dump station (I like that idea). We selected site number 104 which is on the middle tier of this three tier, and is parallel to the beach line, so the view was terrific. One end of this tier has hook-ups, and the upper tier has hook-ups as well. Those sites are pretty close together and that was another reason we chose to dry camp. We wished we could have stayed another night, and are making plans to return as soon as we can. We camped here in a Motorhome.

Nice beach, but the campground is a bit problematic. Campsites are EXTREMELY close together. In most cases, the campsites are actually side by side (no space in between). It's a little unnerving sleeping in a tent less then 5 feet from strangers in the next campsite. This closeness was the cause of an altercation with our neighbors the nearly turned physical and ultimately ruined our family camping trip. Security in the park was ineffective. Also, the best sites are taken well in advance by Lompoc locals who drive up on Monday morning and purchase these sites (sometimes many at a time) for the entire week, then show up Friday evening for the weekend. Very unfair. We camped here in a Tent.

This facility suffers from severe overuse. The place is dirty, people walk their dogs and don't clean up the poop. We took a 'nature' walk on a trail in the Wetlands area and were rewarded by a steady stream of hot, soapy water flowing down from the Ranger's residence. From the looks of it, this happens all the time. The days we were there 16 sites were not available due to construction. There are only 16 electrical hook up sites. To get one of these campsites and also one of the non-electric oceanview sites, campers in the know send a scout vehicle to the park at 6am. As soon as a site is scored, the call goes out via cell phone. Also the ranger is notified that the site has been taken. Most of the campsites are small and are surrounded by solid fences. The obligatory picnic table and benches are anchored in concrete and can't be moved. Small trailers without slide outs will do well here. Towing in with a trailer or 5er over 30' is not for the faint hearted. You can walk for miles on the beach and there are spectacular sunsets, but these can also be had elsewhere with a lot less hassle. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.

Jalama Beach Park is a special place. Only distance, high fuel prices, and summer crowding keep us from visiting more often. The store/cafe has excellent food. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.

Jalama Beach campground is run by the County of Santa Barbara. The road to the campground is extremely twisty and windy (some 10 MPH curves!) but it is worth it! There are sites on the beach and then on up the hills of the campground, ending with bluff campsites with incredible views of an unobstructed coastline. It has a camp store and showers, bathrooms with flush toilets. But the one reason to go is the beach. You can walk for miles in either direction. We camped here in a Motorhome.