Los Prietos

Los Prietos isn't a bad campsite, but there are some negatives. The environment seems to be in a weird in-between place where it doesn't feel remote enough away from "civilization" to feel like you're "away from it all," but it's also not close to anything that can be a worthwhile activity. There isn't any nearby running water or hiking trails. Additionally the sites a positioned very close to each other so there isn't much privacy. Furthermore, it may just be the time we were there, but the flies were swarming and intense. From around mid-morning through sundown the site was just canvased with flies. It became unbearable. We had to leave the campsite during those hours, or just stayed zipped up in the tent until the sun went down and the flies left for the night. All in all, it's not a campsite I will return to. I did very much enjoy exploring around Lake Cachuma a few miles away, and I would highly recommend staying at the campsite by the lake instead.

We went in October and you need a heater to keep warm in tent. Overall good experience got 3 spaces to accommodate a large group but only used 2, the space for tents was not the issue; it is the parking, but you can park outside of the gate. The only thing is our spot was on a bit of an incline and was hard to walk up hill and down. Our spot also had loose dirt so your clothes does not stay clean. The pluses are that Thre are walking paths around campground and the sites ate quite.

Los Prietos isn't a bad campsite, but there are some negatives. The environment seems to be in a weird in-between place where it doesn't feel remote enough away from "civilization" to feel like you're "away from it all," but it's also not close to anything that can be a worthwhile activity. There isn't any nearby running water or hiking trails. Additionally the sites a positioned very close to each other so there isn't much privacy. Furthermore, it may just be the time we were there, but the flies were swarming and intense. From around mid-morning through sundown the site was just canvased with flies. It became unbearable. We had to leave the campsite during those hours, or just stayed zipped up in the tent until the sun went down and the flies left for the night. All in all, it's not a campsite I will return to. I did very much enjoy exploring around Lake Cachuma a few miles away, and I would highly recommend staying at the campsite by the lake instead.

We had a great experience.
The site was spacious, with beautiful views of the stars. The campground was conveniently located near Cold Spring Tavern where we had a good breakfast, and only 20 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara.

We had a great experience.
The site was spacious, with beautiful views of the stars. The campground was conveniently located near Cold Spring Tavern where we had a good breakfast, and only 20 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara.

We had a great experience.
The site was spacious, with beautiful views of the stars. The campground was conveniently located near Cold Spring Tavern where we had a good breakfast, and only 20 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara.

1). Space was not big enough and could not change without a fee.
2). Insects were terrible got bitten and had a huge blister on my foot and had to see a Dr. when I got home and now have a big scare on my foot.
3). the first day was so Hot, was expecting cooler weather
4). Poisen Oak everywhere, would never bring children for fear they would get into it.

1). Space was not big enough and could not change without a fee.
2). Insects were terrible got bitten and had a huge blister on my foot and had to see a Dr. when I got home and now have a big scare on my foot.
3). the first day was so Hot, was expecting cooler weather
4). Poisen Oak everywhere, would never bring children for fear they would get into it.

1). Space was not big enough and could not change without a fee.
2). Insects were terrible got bitten and had a huge blister on my foot and had to see a Dr. when I got home and now have a big scare on my foot.
3). the first day was so Hot, was expecting cooler weather
4). Poisen Oak everywhere, would never bring children for fear they would get into it.

Great campsite, awesome experience! We camped Tuesday-Friday, it was quiet and peaceful, only a few other campers. We were visited by a flock of 10-12 turkeys early one morning, and a gaze of 10+ racoons another night at 1am... Make sure you don't leave any food out! They climbed into my open Bronco and had a feast on the hamburg rolls I forgot to put away. Then they swarmed our campsite looking for more food until they finally gave up. It was more entertaining than anything! The one other concern is staying out of the Poison Oak when in season (which it was).