Carpinteria State Beach

Carpinteria's gently sloping sea floor is why the city calls this one of the safest swimming beaches on the California coast, and the state beach runs into a lifeguarded city beach at the foot of Ash Avenue. Expect natural tar on the sand, which the Chumash used to seal their canoes, so bring something to clean your feet. Day use is $10 per car.

Directions

Photo: Myrna Litt · CC BY 2.0

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Latest reading · SwimScore 79/100 (Good swim) for a typical swimmer: air 23°C, wind 8 km/h, waves 1.0 m, UV 8. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Best conditions: The gentle slope of the ocean floor is why the city rates Carpinteria one of the safest beaches on the California coast.
Getting in: State beach at 205 Palm Ave., Carpinteria, with about a mile of beach; day use sunrise to sunset. Adjoins Carpinteria City Beach at the foot of Ash Avenue.
Parking & transport: Vehicle day-use fee $10.
Lifeguards: The adjoining Carpinteria City Beach is lifeguarded, per the City of Carpinteria.
Water quality: Santa Barbara County samples beaches weekly for fecal indicator bacteria. Heal the Bay 2025–26: A summer dry, B winter dry, A+ wet weather.
Watch for: Natural tar on the sand
Harbor seal rookery south of the park; give seals space
Dogs not allowed on the beach
Facilities: Restrooms · Outdoor showers · Campgrounds