El Capitán State Beach

A beach at the mouth of Sycamore Creek about 30 km west of the city, with rock tide pools, clifftop trails and a campground.

Located along Highway 101 on the Gaviota Coast, the beach offers sand, rocky tide pools and a cliffside bike path, and you can walk on to Refugio State Beach. The creek mouth is lined with sycamores and oaks, and in autumn monarch butterflies can be seen. It is suitable for half-day outings and camping. Parking requires a state park fee.