Carpinteria State Beach
Carpinteria State Beach
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Carpinteria State Beach and nearby attractions
The area
Address
How to get there
- Carpinteria Station • 7 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
63 within 3 miles
Attractions
31 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
434 reviews
Excellent
266
Very good
116
Average
34
Poor
8
Terrible
10
Bálint K
1 contribution
May 2024 • Family
We were touring US National Parks and once in California we had a sudden idea to visit also the Pacific coast. We wanted to avoid large cities so we opted for Carpinteria, a nice little coastal town. Once there, we headed straight to the beach. We walked about half a mile including part of the Carpinteria State Beach. I collected some pebbles and noticed that they are all stained with tiny tar balls. Only when we left the beach we noticed the tar stains on the bare foot of my daughter, and on our shoes. See pictures for yourself. Be aware that as of summer 2024 this beach is basically unusable and not safe. What a disappointment!
Written 16 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaimelee P
so cal66 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
This used to be a hidden gem and now it is way too crowded. And crowded with classless people who crap in the shower and bathroom and it gets everywhere. I mean who does that!?!?
Written 14 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ferdferd
Santa Monica, CA222 contributions
Although the beach area is very nice, the people who live in Carpinteria (or Carp for the locals) are not too happy with all the tourists, even though they/we bring a lot of money to the local economy.
The people who live here in this small, quaint town are not exactly the friendliest you will meet. I guess they want their cake and eat it too.... they want the town to remain unspoiled and small, but they want people to come and visit and spend money, all the while complaining about all the "outsiders."
The people who live here in this small, quaint town are not exactly the friendliest you will meet. I guess they want their cake and eat it too.... they want the town to remain unspoiled and small, but they want people to come and visit and spend money, all the while complaining about all the "outsiders."
Written 17 September 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bridget
10 contributions
Feb 2017
Go there after 4pm, you'll the tide is getting low and more and more shells appear. We even found many live ones, but we didn't keep them, we put them back in the ocean instead. Sunset is beautiful too!! Great place!!
Written 4 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macnicol
Santa Clarita, CA35 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
We've been going with our kids for over 30 years. It is one of the best beach camping places in California when you get a spot only 30 feet from the surf! Great tide pools and good surfing areas. Harbor seal sanctuary a short hike down the beach. We saw several whales with young going north on 3 separate days our last trip. Always see dolphins, sea otters, and pelicans.
Written 5 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cavydad
Camarillo, CA2,136 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Sandy, calm, soothing sea! Gentle waves, picnic benches and tables. Restaurants and a micro brewery are nearby. Plenty of parking and having the Linden business district with ice cream shops, taco and hamburger stands, and the funky Palms restaurant and classic Spot burger stand add to the fantastic Carpinteria beach setting.
Great beach for families with small children.
Great beach for families with small children.
Written 4 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simimike
Simi Valley, CA65 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
If you are driving past Carpinteria on the way to or from Santa Barbara a fun thing to do is stop at Carpinteria State Beach, go to the south end and see the tide pools. The best time to go is during low tide. Make sure you was out for the tar that is coming out of the ground. Have your kids with swiming suits and sneakers. They will be able to walk out into the pools and see star fish, sea anemie and many sea things. A fun two to three hours with little cost. You can stay in a trailer or camper but that takes lots of preplanning.
Written 4 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saunders999
1 contribution
May 2016 • Friends
Great place as far as being on the beach,but rodent problem is beyond out of control. We had to park our truck in the parking lot, if it wasn't for our Jack Russells on a morning walk our entire wiring would have been destroyed by the squirrels, bad enough that they destroyed the hood liner in our 50k truck, not sure we will go back... State Beach??? The homeless hang out lock up if you leave your campsite, anyone has walking access to this beach campground.
Written 27 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wyopooh
Laramie, WY280 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
Simply wonderful beach. We paid the $10 to park inside the state park. I was told that there is plenty of free parking 2-3 blocks away but we didn't want to carry cooler that far.
The park has very good amenities. Bathrooms and changing rooms. Covered/uncovered picnic areas. Nice camping spots. (we didn't camp but do a lot of camping so have experience). Multiple and easy beach access.
The waves were nice and our teens enjoyed the challenge of jumping them.
The TIDE POOLS were simply awesome. We don't have much experience with tide pools but the amount of sea life we were able to see before the tide got too high was amazing. Took great pictures. There was a volunteer park service individual to answer questions. There are groups of tide pools along the beach then one really large area of them. You can walk out a long ways and view. You are welcome to pick up sea life for a closer view but not remove it. Moss/seaweed covered and very slippery so had to be cautious as to not fall/drop camera in ocean.
Of course, low tide is best for the tide pools. We got there about 5 hours prior to high tide and only had about 1 hour at the tide pools before they were too far under water. Check tidal schedule so you can maximize your viewing of the pools.
Be careful of the tar. It's everywhere and even though we were super careful, we still got tar on our feet. Tried to 'sand' it off but would have been better to have fingernail polish remover or goo-gone. Check feet before putting your shoes back on and getting it in your shoes!
We only spent 3 hours here but well worth the stop!!
The park has very good amenities. Bathrooms and changing rooms. Covered/uncovered picnic areas. Nice camping spots. (we didn't camp but do a lot of camping so have experience). Multiple and easy beach access.
The waves were nice and our teens enjoyed the challenge of jumping them.
The TIDE POOLS were simply awesome. We don't have much experience with tide pools but the amount of sea life we were able to see before the tide got too high was amazing. Took great pictures. There was a volunteer park service individual to answer questions. There are groups of tide pools along the beach then one really large area of them. You can walk out a long ways and view. You are welcome to pick up sea life for a closer view but not remove it. Moss/seaweed covered and very slippery so had to be cautious as to not fall/drop camera in ocean.
Of course, low tide is best for the tide pools. We got there about 5 hours prior to high tide and only had about 1 hour at the tide pools before they were too far under water. Check tidal schedule so you can maximize your viewing of the pools.
Be careful of the tar. It's everywhere and even though we were super careful, we still got tar on our feet. Tried to 'sand' it off but would have been better to have fingernail polish remover or goo-gone. Check feet before putting your shoes back on and getting it in your shoes!
We only spent 3 hours here but well worth the stop!!
Written 22 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sapodesanjose
Carpinteria, CA11 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
The Carpinteria State Beach is a beautiful example of a Southern California beach situated beside the small, very friendly, beach town of Carpinteria. The beach itself is very clean, sandy, easy to reach, and free. The surf is gentle which is perfect for body surfing or trying to launch a kayak. Some people fish from the shore and others snorkel out to catch lobsters. The weather is a uniform 60°F - 80°F during the day for most of the year and, as the song goes, it never rains in Southern California.
The only drawback is that there is an occasional blob of tar on the beach that will find its way onto your foot. The tar is very difficult to remove with ordinary measures. Baby oil is the method of choice in our family. It dissolves the tar and allows it to be soaked up with paper towels.
Science Note: The tar comes from natural seeps along the coast, some under water. These seeps have been here for thousands of years. Think LaBrea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.
Historical Note: When the Spaniards first came to the Central Coast, they observed the native americans building canoes from handmade planks of wood. They used the tar from the local seeps to seal the cracks between the planks. The Spaniards called these people los carpinteros (carpenters) and the work area la carpinteria (carpentry or woodworking shop).
The only drawback is that there is an occasional blob of tar on the beach that will find its way onto your foot. The tar is very difficult to remove with ordinary measures. Baby oil is the method of choice in our family. It dissolves the tar and allows it to be soaked up with paper towels.
Science Note: The tar comes from natural seeps along the coast, some under water. These seeps have been here for thousands of years. Think LaBrea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.
Historical Note: When the Spaniards first came to the Central Coast, they observed the native americans building canoes from handmade planks of wood. They used the tar from the local seeps to seal the cracks between the planks. The Spaniards called these people los carpinteros (carpenters) and the work area la carpinteria (carpentry or woodworking shop).
Written 3 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
taking kids camping here Tues, 10 yr old wants to use the Boogie board but I just read there have been great white shark sightings...something to worry about?
Written 13 August 2018
Just got back and Carp claims to be the the safest beach in the world. There hasn't been a recorded attack of a white shark in Carp. I would bring coconut oil and baby powder for the tar you might get on your feet.
Written 13 August 2018
in which country is this beach?
Written 4 September 2017
I heard that the spa was recently renovated?! What input can you offer regarding services and environment at the spa?
Written 21 February 2015
There are no hotels on the beach-just condo rentals. I don't know which spa you are talking about. Sorry.
Written 22 February 2015
Showing results 1-4 of 4
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing