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Land near Jalama Creek was once a Chumash Indian settlement named "Halama". In 1943, 23.5 acres of privately owned land was donated to the County of Santa Barbara from the Atlantic Richfield Oil Company, and thus, our park was formed. Jalama Beach is a respite from typically bustling seaside parks, yet offers many conveniences. Groceries, personal care sundries, firewood, fishing bait and tackle, ice, beer, and wine may be purchased at the Jalama Store. Other services include mailing, facsimile, and video rentals. The store and its popular Grill are open daily from 10 am.
Jalama Beach is approximately an hour drive from Santa Barbara and a 45-minute drive from Lompoc. A sign 4.5 miles south of Lompoc off Highway 1 will direct you onto Jalama Road. Follow this scenic 14.5-mile road to the coast. The park entrance will be at the end of the road. Jalama is subject to high winds and rough surf. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months, however, visitors swim at their own risk.
Day-use picnic areas provide tables and raised fireboxes. Additional activities include surfing, whale-watching, birdwatching, nature photography, and fishing the surf or rock outcroppings for perch, cabezon, kelp, bass, or halibut. Many protected California native plants like sand verbena, saltbush, and sea rocket, grow within park boundaries.
While you're here, visit the Jalama Beach Store and Grill and have a "World Famous Jalama Burger." They also have an extended menu that includes homemade clam chowder, chile verde, and "Aunt Ruth's Raw Apple Cake."
Jalama Beach offers twelve walk-in sites (seven basic and five partial hook-up) that are first-come, first-served. These sites may not be reserved online, through the Call Center, or through the Jalama Gate.
Reservations can be made online for tent sites, hookups, cabins, and group areas. Reserve a 1 or 2-bedroom cabin with full bathrooms and kitchenettes with spectacular views of the ocean and beach. We also offer group areas for your next group get-together. All sites may be reserved up to 6 months in advance of the check-in date. A non-refundable reservation fee will be charged for each site/option reserved. There is a 2-night minimum stay for weekend reservations (Friday and Saturday), and a 3-night minimum stay for holiday weekends.
Campers may register and check in to an available walk-in site as soon as the gate opens at 6 am. There will be no waitlists or camp calls. Campers must register and pay for their entire stay upon check-in and will not be able to renew day-to-day. The person whose name appears on the campsite must be the same person registering, checking in, and occupying the site. Once a walk-in site is sold, it must be occupied by a tent, trailer, and/or vehicle no later than 3 pm on the date of purchase. Generally, walk-in site availability is greater earlier in the week, and any customer with a reservation will not be allowed to transfer to a walk-in site.
This is a great beach. Far away from civilization. It is a little bit of a drive, but is worth it. Nice little cafe. Have only visited, haven't spent the night. I will be returning in the future. Maybe renting one of the cabins that is available.
This beach is nothing special and it's a really long drive to get there and you have to pay to get in
Beautiful location with great beach camping, nice store and plenty of hiking opportunities.
Beautiful beach. It is far off the beaten path so you don't have much competition for a spot on the beach. The camp sites are extremely affordable, but book early for the peak season. Also it is 40 miles from the nearest gas station so full up long before you get there. The is no cell phone coverage, but they have wifi in the camp area so you can still communicate.
A small, quiet, clean beach and RV camping ground, about 14 miles off the Cabrillo Highway / highway 1, the Jalama road goes winding through the mountains and at one point we doubted whether we were actually on the right track, when we finally saw the ocean through a chink between two mountains. Cell coverage is nill to at best spotty, and there's barely any habitation along the route and no gas stations along.
The place is quiet, quaint and the beach clean. Water is cold. There is a warning about rip currents. There is a prominently visible Life guards station , but it's best to tread cautiously if one is not familiar with the behavior of the ocean at Jalama. It wasn't too rough at that time of the day and year (midday, July) when we were there.
There's a nice shop, the Jalama beach store, dishing out nice Jalama burgers and other fare. They're supposed to be quite famous. Nothing exceptionally special about them, however, they were yummmmm and the portions humongous! Loved them! The store has a nice porch outside and a little seating cabin inside with views of the ocean.
Public restrooms aren't adequate, and could have been cleaner and better lit. Indoor / covered shower stalls too are needed.
RV camping grounds and cottages seem well laid out and organized.
Entry per vehicle is $10. Pets are allowed at extra charge. I have no idea about camping ground fees.
Overall a great place to spend a quiet weekend (any day for that matter).
