Carpinteria

Our Mission Carpinteria State Beach The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. The expansive, gentle slope of the beach, composed of finegrained sand, is ideal for sunbathing, picnicking, walking on California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact park staff at (805) 684-2811. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™ Carpinteria State Beach 5361 Sixth Street Carpinteria, CA 93013 (805) 684-2811 © 2005 California State Parks (Rev. 2014) the beach, fishing and other activities. J ust 12 miles south people, sighted of the popular coastal the village of town of Santa Barbara, Mishopshnow the long expanse of in 1542. When white sand at Carpinteria explorer Gaspar State Beach invites Campsites along Carpinteria Creek de Portolá visitors to relax and and the Pacific Ocean visited the enjoy a glorious sunset region in 1769, or surf the rolling waves. coming upon a group of Chumash splitting Sheltered inland by the Santa Ynez driftwood and shaping the planks to form Mountains and from the sea by the Channel canoes, his expedition named the village La Islands, Carpinteria enjoys a moderate Carpinteria   —  the carpentry shop. The Spanish year-round climate with daytime averages mission era and European settlement of the between 60 and 80 degrees. Ocean area led to devastating effects on the Chumash temperatures range from 58 degrees in the people: the rapid spread of diseases, harsh winter to 72 degrees during the summer treatment by many settlers, and the loss of and fall. traditional Chumash food sources. Today ancient Chumash traditions are being CULTURAL HISTORY rediscovered by their descendants. For thousands of years, the Chumash Asphalt Mining Indians were the sole inhabitants of Natural tar deposits seep to the surface on this beautiful seaside valley. They the coastal bluffs and on the sand at the called the area Mishopshnow, meaning southeast end of the beach, forming bulging, “correspondence,” because it was a center black mounds. of trade. Soapstone, used for carving The variety effigies, bowls and beads, and wooden of plant and vessels, shells and asphaltum (usually animal fossils referred to as tar) were supplied to nearby excavated tribes in exchange for other goods. The from these tar Chumash used the naturally occurring pits in the late surface tar to attach shell inlays to stone 1920s rivals the objects, seal water baskets, fasten arrow remains found and spear points to shafts, and caulk their in Los Angeles’ plank canoes (tomol), which were seaworthy better-known enough to reach the Santa Barbara Channel La Brea Tar Pits. Islands and Santa Catalina Island. Over time, area Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first Natural tar oozing on beach residents have European to have contact with the Chumash utilized the oozing black tar for a variety of purposes, including the first paved roads in Santa Barbara County. Remaining evidence of asphalt mining can be seen near Tar Pits Beach and the San Miguel Campground loop. Park History The white, sandy expanse of the Carpinteria shoreline was acquired by California State Parks in 1932. It formally opened to the public on July 4, 1941, following the construction of campgrounds and picnic areas by the Civilian Conservation Corps. NATURAL HISTORY During low tide, at the southeastern end of the park near the San Miguel Campground loop, a rocky formation creates a haven for sea stars, anemones, mussels, crabs and other tide pool creatures. Harbor seals frolic in the waves or bask on the rocks nearby. Between December and mid-May, gray whales migrate to and from their breeding grounds off the coast of Baja California. Several species of gulls and shorebirds feed along the shoreline while other birds fish in the waters offshore. A seasonal lagoon at the mouth of Carpinteria Creek creates a unique habitat for viewing Tomol Interpretive Play Area mallards, egrets, herons, coots and other birds. Do not disturb the bird habitat by playing or wading in the creek. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Carpinteria State Beach’s normally gentle swells and shallow, gently sloping beach make it one of the safer beaches to swim and surf. A group picnic area with tables, barbecues and covered ramadas offers a wonderful view of the dune area with the picturesque backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains. To reserve a group ramada or a wedding venue, call (805) 684-7487 or email carpevents@parks.ca.gov. The accessible Tomol Interpretive Play Area honors Chumash cultural history and tradition. This imaginative play area features a tomol canoe, a rainbow bridge, cave rock art, a cloudburst slide and marine mammals. Young visitors can enjoy multi-sensory play that highlights the park’s Chumash past. The Jellybowl vista point overlooks a tranquil cove and the ocean below. Surf fishermen often catch barred perch, cabezon and corbina from the beach. A California state fishing license is required for anglers 16 and over. See rules at www.wildlife.ca.gov. Camping Carpinteria’s four campground loops have more than 200 family campsites, each with a table and fire ring; drinking water is available nearby. The campground restrooms have coinoperated hot showers. Seven group campsites are also available. Tents, motor homes and trailers can use the sites in the Anacapa and Santa Cruz Campground loops, but there are no hookups. Water, sewer and electrical hookups are available in the Santa Rosa loop. Half of the San Miguel loop campsites, have water and electrical hookups. Make site-specific reservations (recommended year round) at www.parks.ca.gov or call (800) 444-7275. If no other suitable campsite is available, en route RV camping is available for one night only. A hike or bike campground is also available for one- or two-night stays. Interpretive Programs The visitor center has interpretive displays on Chumash history and Carpinteria’s natural resources. The center’s indoor tide pool showcases live marine animals. Summer campfire programs feature interpretive presentations. Junior Ranger programs for children over 6 and pre-Junior Ranger programs for children ages 4 to 6 are offered during the summer months. ACCESSIBLe FEATures Picnic tables, five family sites, and group sites, as well as parking and restrooms, are accessible. Some assistance may be needed. The campfire center has accessible seating. A beach wheelchair may be borrowed. Check at the park entrance station for availability. Accessibility is continually improving. For updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. PLEASE REMEMBER • All natural and cultural features are protected by law and must not be disturbed or removed. • Campsite check-in time is 2 p.m. Check-out time is noon. • Each campsite accommodates up to 8 persons and one vehicle; additional vehicles require an extra fee. • Except for service animals, dogs are not allowed on the beach. • Dogs must be under control, on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, not be left unattended, and be confined in a tent or vehicle at night. • Fires are permitted only in fire rings provided. Purchase wood from a camp host; please do not bring wood. No fires are allowed on the beach. • AMTRAK Pacific Surfliner serves the park. NEARBY STATE PARKS • Emma Wood State Beach, two miles west of Ventura via Hwy. 101 (805) 585-1850 • El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, 123 E. Canon Perdido Santa Barbara (805) 965-0093 Carpinteria S t a t e Be a ch Freeway En route Camping Campfire Center Paved Road Group Campground Restrooms Railroad Hike/Bike Campground RV Hike Only Trail Parking RV Sanitation Station Accessible Feature Picnic Area Showers Campground Ranger Station Viewpoint Tomol Interpretive Play Area B i os wa l e Tr a il Ramada 2 Ramada 1 © 2005 California State Parks (Rev. 2014) Map by Eureka Cartography, Berkeley, CA