State Parks near Santa Barbara, CA

Just north of the City of Angels, surrounded by Santa Clarita, San Bernardino, and Pasadena, is the enormous, 650,000-acre Angeles National Forest. This southern California landmark is large enough to secure 44,000 acres of the Sheep Mountain Wilderness and 36,000 acres of the San Gabriel Wilderness Area.

The landscape is vast and complex. Due to its sheer size and mountainous landscape, it varies in elevation from 1,200 feet to 10,000 feet. It encompasses the San Gabriel Mountain range and parts of the Sierra Pelona Mountain Range.

In the 1890s, the area was federally claimed a Natural Reserve by President Harrison. Roughly ten years later, the Department of Agriculture redesignated the reserve as a national forest. While some …

Fringed by three miles of golden sand, Bolsa Chica State Beach offers a taste of life in sun-drenched Southern California. The beach is beautiful at any time of the year, with sunseekers flocking to bask on the sand, take a dip in the Pacific Ocean or "hang ten" on a surfboard. Venture further afield and you have Orange County at your fingertips — explore postcard-perfect beach towns, peer into colorful tide pools, and snap selfies with your favorite characters at world-famous theme parks.

Planning a camping trip in the Golden State? At just 30 miles from the City of Angels, Bolsa Chica State Beach offers a unique chance to camp in an RV near Los Angeles. Browse the available RV …

Located in the town of Carpinteria, only 12 miles south of Santa Barbara and shrouded by the towering hills of Santa Ynez, lies a modest 62-acre recreation area with more than 4,600 feet of beachfront. The original inhabitants of the land were Chumash peoples, who called the area mishopshnow, which roughly translates to “correspondence.” The Chumash used the area’s resources for crafts, such as bowls, effigies, and beads.

The area also boasts rich tar deposits that were utilized for multiple purposes, one of which was paving the roads of Santa Barbara County. Santa Barbara campers and Carpinteria campers love to come here to beat the summer heat, but the park’s beauty beckons visitors from all across the state as …

Welcome to one of the most magnificent reservoirs in the U.S., with 12,658 acres to enjoy. These waters feed the local communities and attract campers and adventurers from near and far. One of the most popular reasons for visits to this dam, besides the 29 miles of shoreline, is the epically tall 425-foot Castaic Dam. The park's two bodies of water provide a bevy of options for water sports.

Castaic Lake State Recreation Area caters to families, with playgrounds for children and tent and RV camping facilities. Fishing, hiking, boating, biking, and picnicking for groups as large as 600 people are a few of the other highlights at the park. The Angeles National Forest is around a two-hour drive from …

Channel Islands National Park offers a unique chance to discover the wild, rugged beauty of the Southern California coast. The park is made up of five pristine islands, each with its own unique charm. Exploring the islands takes a little enthusiasm and planning, though the payoff is access to one of the most unique and untouched coastal ecosystems in North America. Whether you're getting up close with sea lions on San Miguel, kayaking to hidden sea caves on Santa Cruz, hiking to historic lighthouses on Anacapa, strolling along sugar-white beaches on Santa Rosa, or exploring underwater kelp forests on Santa Barbara, Channel Islands National Park promises unforgettable adventures.

Looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure? Book an RV in Ventura County and …

Located just north of Yorba Linda, Chino Hills State Park is a 14,000-acre expanse nestled in the shadow of the Santa Ana Mountains. California golden poppies and phacelia minor blanket these rolling hills, providing endless inspiration for nature lovers and photographers.

Throughout the years, this vibrant green space has served many purposes. The Tongva tribe once passed through this area while gathering food. In the 18th century, the Spanish settled here, established a mission, and used the land to rear cattle. Oil tycoons purchased parcels of the land in the late 19th century and began mining for oil. Visitors can still see the remains of a barn, windmills, and ranch house left over from the Rolling M. Ranch, a …

Located between Tipton and Delano, only a few miles away from Earlimart, is Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. This 3,700-acre park was established to preserve Allensworth, a town that was founded and led by African Americans back in 1908. The central figure behind that initiative was Colonel Allen Allensworth, former slave, Union Army officer, and doctor of theology.

After Allensworth's tragic death, the town was hit by drought, and in 1966, arsenic was discovered in the town’s water supply. All of these events led to the decision to demolish the town, but luckily, citizens rallied to protect Allensworth, despite the fact that it was uninhabitable. The land then became a state park in 1974.

History buffs, bikers, and …