Santa Barbara County, CA · Pacific Ocean

Refugio State Beach

Palm-lined cove on the Gaviota coast with a small creek mouth and a popular beachfront campground. Often paired with neighboring El Capitan via a 2.5-mile coastal bike path.

Today's Conditions

Ideal for photography.

77°F air

Full NWS forecast for Today

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

Tonight

Patchy fog between 11pm and 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. East northeast wind around 5 mph.

Weather

77°F air — ideal beach weather
Cloud cover — overcast reduces uv exposure but the vibe too

Safety

UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure

76 /100

great

71 Sunbathe

81 Walk

86 Photo

Best for photography today

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

77°F

Clear

Wind

0 to 5 mph

SSW

Rain

Today

UV Peak

10 Very High

High 10 AM–03 PM · burn in ~20m

Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM

Tomorrow

79°F

Patchy Fog

Water

Water Temp

—

Next High Tide

8:25 PM

7.1 ft · in 5.1h

Water Quality

Above threshold

2,000 MPN/100mL · Total Coliform

USGS · sampled 7mo ago

Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference

No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (PZZ650)

The LOX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.

CAZ362 Malibu Coast — Los Angeles County Beaches n/a
CAZ354 Ventura County Beaches n/a
CAZ349 Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast — Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast n/a
CAZ340 San Luis Obispo County Beaches — Santa Barbara Central Coast Beaches n/a

NWS SRF · LOX · Issued Jul 12, 9:11 AM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

8:56 AM

Sunset

11:14 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
3:12 AM	Low	-1.2 ft
9:51 AM	High	3.6 ft
1:52 PM	Low	2.5 ft
8:25 PM	High	7.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:58 AM	Low	-1.6 ft
10:33 AM	High	3.8 ft
2:50 PM	Low	2.4 ft
9:15 PM	High	7.2 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:42 AM	Low	-1.7 ft
11:14 AM	High	4.0 ft
3:45 PM	Low	2.2 ft
10:04 PM	High	7.1 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:25 AM	Low	-1.6 ft
11:56 AM	High	4.2 ft
4:40 PM	Low	2.1 ft
10:52 PM	High	6.8 ft

Time	Type	Height
6:06 AM	Low	-1.2 ft
12:38 PM	High	4.4 ft
5:37 PM	Low	2.0 ft
11:41 PM	High	6.2 ft

Time	Type	Height
6:45 AM	Low	-0.7 ft
1:20 PM	High	4.6 ft
6:38 PM	Low	2.0 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:32 AM	High	5.4 ft
7:22 AM	Low	-0.1 ft
2:02 PM	High	4.7 ft
7:45 PM	Low	2.0 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 9411340, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Jul 12

77°

Mostly Cloudy

Mon Jul 13

79°

Patchy Fog

Tue Jul 14

85°

Sunny

Wed Jul 15

92°

Sunny

Thu Jul 16

79°

Sunny

Fri Jul 17

73°

Mostly Sunny

Sat Jul 18

75°

Partly Sunny

What to Bring Today

critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Beach Info

Parking

Day-use $10 per vehicle.

Dogs

No dogs on the beach. Leashed (6 ft) dogs allowed in campground and paved areas only.

Entry Fee

$10 per vehicle day-use.

Address

10 Refugio Beach Rd, Goleta, CA 93117

Amenities

restroomsshowerslifeguard towercampingpicnic tables

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Refugio State Beach today?

Refugio State Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Refugio State Beach dog-friendly?

No dogs on the beach. Leashed (6 ft) dogs allowed in campground and paved areas only.

Is there an entry fee at Refugio State Beach?

$10 per vehicle day-use.

Are there lifeguards at Refugio State Beach?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Refugio State Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Refugio State Beach?

Amenities at Refugio State Beach include restrooms, showers, lifeguard tower, camping, picnic tables.

When is the water warmest at Refugio State Beach?

The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.

Where is Refugio State Beach located?

Refugio State Beach is in Santa Barbara County, CA, at 10 Refugio Beach Rd, Goleta, CA 93117.