Featured amenities
Picnic Table
Restrooms
About Santa Barbara Island
Number of accommodations: 10
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Birding
Hiking
Kayaking
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Water and Hygiene
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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10 Sites Available
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Reviews (3)
What Guests Are Saying
Santa Barbara Island offers a unique experience of solitude and wildness, with abundant wildlife including birds, sea lions, and seals. Camping facilities, such as outhouses, are well-maintained, adding to the pleasant experience. However, accessing the island can be challenging due to a lack of a proper landing area and navigating around large sea lions, which may require preparation and adaptability.
What Guests Are Saying
Santa Barbara Island offers a unique experience of solitude and wildness, with abundant wildlife including birds, sea lions, and seals. Camping facilities, such as outhouses, are well-maintained, adding to the pleasant experience. However, accessing the island can be challenging due to a lack of a proper landing area and navigating around large sea lions, which may require preparation and adaptability.
Review Summary
Seamus C
VerifiedJuly 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA
We were the only visitors on the Island, no Ranger either, so had it to ourselves, that was a unique experience in itself.
We very much enjoyed the solitude of the island and wildness of it, the facilities for camping, including outhouses were quite nice, no people to mess them up.
Birds, Sea Lions, Seals, wildlife galore, it was wild!
Hiking was barren but great, the trail that you are meant to stay on is hard to track in some placed but managed.
Now for the drawbacks:
1. Getting ashore - There is no dock or even a beach to go ashore, especially at low tide, you have to climb up on the rocks covered in seaweed. We used our skiff to get people ashore, jumping off the front on to the rocks, the last person anchored the skiff just outside of the so-called pier area and used a paddleboard to get shore that we hoisted up and stowed above the high-water mark.
2. Once ashore you then have to climb up quite a few steep steps, not a big deal, except your path is impeded by some very large sea lions, including a couple of massive bulls. This took some time, as their only way to get passed you is down the narrow stairs you are climbing, so you need to climb up the embankment to allow them to pass.
We were traveling very light, so none of the above was a huge deal, but certainly something you need to be prepared for.
Fact is, it made for a lot of fun and part of the adventure!
Enjoy but be prepared as there is very little info to do it for you.
Seamus C
VerifiedJuly 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA
We were the only visitors on the Island, no Ranger either, so had it to ourselves, that was a unique experience in itself.
We very much enjoyed the solitude of the island and wildness of it, the facilities for camping, including outhouses were quite nice, no people to mess them up.
Birds, Sea Lions, Seals, wildlife galore, it was wild!
Hiking was barren but great, the trail that you are meant to stay on is hard to track in some placed but managed.
Now for the drawbacks:
1. Getting ashore - There is no dock or even a beach to go ashore, especially at low tide, you have to climb up on the rocks covered in seaweed. We used our skiff to get people ashore, jumping off the front on to the rocks, the last person anchored the skiff just outside of the so-called pier area and used a paddleboard to get shore that we hoisted up and stowed above the high-water mark.
2. Once ashore you then have to climb up quite a few steep steps, not a big deal, except your path is impeded by some very large sea lions, including a couple of massive bulls. This took some time, as their only way to get passed you is down the narrow stairs you are climbing, so you need to climb up the embankment to allow them to pass.
We were traveling very light, so none of the above was a huge deal, but certainly something you need to be prepared for.
Fact is, it made for a lot of fun and part of the adventure!
Enjoy but be prepared as there is very little info to do it for you.
Seamus C
VerifiedJuly 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: SANTA BARBARA ISLAND AREA
We were the only visitors on the Island, no Ranger either, so had it to ourselves, that was a unique experience in itself.
We very much enjoyed the solitude of the island and wildness of it, the facilities for camping, including outhouses were quite nice, no people to mess them up.
Birds, Sea Lions, Seals, wildlife galore, it was wild!
Hiking was barren but great, the trail that you are meant to stay on is hard to track in some placed but managed.
Now for the drawbacks:
1. Getting ashore - There is no dock or even a beach to go ashore, especially at low tide, you have to climb up on the rocks covered in seaweed. We used our skiff to get people ashore, jumping off the front on to the rocks, the last person anchored the skiff just outside of the so-called pier area and used a paddleboard to get shore that we hoisted up and stowed above the high-water mark.
2. Once ashore you then have to climb up quite a few steep steps, not a big deal, except your path is impeded by some very large sea lions, including a couple of massive bulls. This took some time, as their only way to get passed you is down the narrow stairs you are climbing, so you need to climb up the embankment to allow them to pass.
We were traveling very light, so none of the above was a huge deal, but certainly something you need to be prepared for.
Fact is, it made for a lot of fun and part of the adventure!
Enjoy but be prepared as there is very little info to do it for you.
Location Santa Barbara Island
Address:
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA, 93001
United States
Latitude & Longitude: 33.4799 / -119.03
Elevation: 59 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
11AM
Check out time
11AM
- Access to Santa Barbara Island is only by boat, and visitors must arrange transportation before making a reservation.
- Reservations are mandatory before arriving; no walk-up camping is allowed.
- Meet the ranger upon arrival at designated areas and bring your confirmation letter or receipt.
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Site capacity
- A group can reserve up to 2 sites, with a maximum of 4 people allowed per site.
Accessibility
- Campsites are a 1/4 mile hike from the landing area, and visitors must carry their own gear.
- Water access is limited to the Landing Cove dock; other beaches are not accessible without a watercraft.
Site types & loops
- This is a primitive campground with tent camping only; no hookups are available, and visitors must bring their own water and food.
- Off-trail hiking is prohibited, and some trails may close during pelican nesting season.
Wildlife & food storage
- Food and trash must be stored properly in provided lockers or hard-sided containers to protect from animals.
Safety & rules
- All visitors must pack out all items brought to the island, including trash.
- Smoking is restricted to the dock area only.
- Avoid contact with deer mice due to hantavirus risk; more information is available online.
- Kayaking is risky due to changing ocean conditions; check the weather and know your limits.
Fires & fuel
- Campfires and charcoal fires are prohibited; only gas camp stoves are permitted.
Local regulations
- Visitors must not bring nonnative species items to the park and must clean their gear before leaving.
- Fishing is prohibited in marine reserves; a license is required for fishing elsewhere.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 5, 2026
