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.

Stay 3

Today's Conditions

Great day for a beach walk.

Hot — hydrate and seek shade

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 92. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 71. North northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Weather

92°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

3.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids

69 /100

good

63 Sunbathe

78 Walk

75 Photo

Best for walking today

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

92°F

Sunny

Wind

5 to 15 mph

Rain

This Afternoon

UV Peak

9 Very High

High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m

Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM

Tomorrow

90°F

Sunny

Water

Water Temp

—

Next High Tide

9:03 PM

6.3 ft · in 1.8h

Wave Height

3.6 ft

8s · SSW swell

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 Sep 9, 1:19 AM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

6:39 AM

Sunset

7:16 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Sep 9

92°

Sunny

Thu Sep 10

90°

Sunny

Fri Sep 11

84°

Sunny

Sat Sep 12

78°

Sunny

Sun Sep 13

77°

Sunny

Mon Sep 14

74°

Sunny

Tue Sep 15

70°

Mostly Sunny

What to Bring Today

critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 5 to 15 mph wind
critical Extra water / electrolytes 92°F - heat risk
recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat

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.