But like so many campsites it is about location and Gaviota has that in spades! It’s just a half-hour from Santa Barbara, Solvang, Lompoc, Buellton and wine country! All these areas were featured in the award winning movie Sideways. And of course it has a beach!
On weekends the beach is a very popular spot and has a lifeguard on duty. There is a strong riptide (actually a rip current) at the east (aka south) end of the beach, clearly visible in the second picture.
A closer look at the erosion being caused by the rip current.
The Gaviota coast has long been known for its off-shore winds, with the strongest coming through the campground. A couple of tents suffered broken poles. Some campers simply dropped their tents and spent a windy night in their car. These winds are so common and dangerous they have a name – sundowners.
The beach is located just past a fairly active trail trestle, just yards from our campsite.
There are some great beach combing to be done. West (aka north) under the pier large colonies of muscles and anemones and a lonely crab. The only one we saw.
The area is known for marine fossils, even a complete halibut-like skeleton. But the campground host did not know of it.
I did find some shells embedded in the shale, but not sure if they qualify as fossils.
By Sunday afternoon the rip current had subsided to allow me to explore the shale on the east (aka south) end of the beach. The shale here is still holding onto some of its tar deposits. When dried it is as hard as asphalt or soft and sticky right out of the rock.
BTW – there is enough alcohol in hand sanitizer to dissolve the tar.
For the most part the shale is more intact, slopping steeply up hill. I think it looks like a canvas waiting for a spray can artist. Thankfully there is not much tagging here.
After perhaps a half mile I came to this tunnel stretching through the shale walls. Light could be seen at the far end of the tunnel, but in my open toed Keen sandals and no flashlight and a rising tide, this became my turn around point.
As always when beach combing pay attention to the tide and turn back early. Yup - I should have turned back about 20 minutes ago …
Just outside the campground entrance a paved road leads up the hill to one of the Orcutt Trails. From train head there is a 4 mile RT trail that reaches the Gaviota Wind Caves. We did not do the hike, but you can follow the link to Josh’s excellent blog California Through My Lens.
Summary:
It is $40 a night for dry camping, no dump station at the park
Showers are 25 cents for each 2 minute interval – the door did not lock on the shower I used.
Trains run day and night
Location is what this park has going for it! Yes I’d stay here again.
Next I'll let you know how we spent our time in Solvang.
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