Refugio

Our Mission Refugio 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. On clear days, visitors to Refugio State Beach enjoy matchless views of four offshore islands — San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (805) 968-1033. 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.™ Refugio State Beach 10 Refugio Beach Road Goleta, CA 93117 (805) 968-1033 © 2015 California State Parks Anacapa —  as they stroll the beach’s craggy coastal bluffs. A t Refugio State Beach, 22 miles west of Santa Barbara, fan and date palms decorate a crescent-shaped curve of sand. This is a quiet place to build sand castles, surf, dive, stroll the trails, watch wildlife, pitch a tent, and cast a fishing pole. From the hills above the beach, Refugio Creek makes its way to the ocean. The Santa Ynez Mountains, part of Los Padres National Forest, dominate the scenery. PARK HISTORY The Native People The native Chumash people originally lived in this area. The Chumash territory generally extended from today’s San Luis Obispo south to Malibu. Three villages, likely occupied at different times, surrounded Refugio Bay. The most recent of these, according to mission records, was named Kasil, translated as “pretty place.” Refugio Bay was a port of trade between Chumash people on Santa Cruz Island and the inland village of Soxtonokmu in the Santa Ynez Valley. The lagoon would have provided a wealth of resources from the sea, obtained via the tomol (redwood plank canoe). The surrounding marshes provided willows and tules for construction of the traditional Chumash house or ap. Despite the widespread decimation of the native population from disease, violence, and starvation after Spanish arrival, many Chumash people have maintained important cultural traditions for current and future generations. Kayakers’ paradise of Rancho Nuestra Señora del Refugio to non-family members between 1858 and 1889. The remaining grassy portion was used mostly for cattle ranching. Scottish émigrés Nelson and J. Monroe Rutherford bought 500 beachside acres in the early 20th century, opening a private resort called Refugio Cove and Beach. Their beach resort had rental cabins, campsites, an arbor, a children’s pool, and a small camp store. The State of California bought Refugio from Rutherford descendants in 1950. In 1963, it was classified a state beach. Spanish Explorers and French Pirates In the 1790s, José Francisco Ortega was awarded the first land grant on the Santa Barbara coast, the 26,529-acre Nuestra GEOLOGY Señora del Refugio. He raised cattle there. Four geologic types make up the land at The Spanish monarchy that governed Alta Refugio State Beach: Rincon formation California at that time forbade any trade with (brown-gray clay marine shale); Monterey non-Spanish ships or countries, considering formation (an oil‑producing this smuggling. When Ortega’s son, José formation of shales María, inherited the rancho, he began and limestone); trading cowhides, leather, and tallow with terrace deposits foreign ships rather than waiting months for (often containing Spanish goods that did not always arrive. fossil material, In 1818, notorious French pirate Hippolyte though none Bouchard learned of Ortega’s wealth and has been found set out to raid Refugio. However, the here); and residents —warned about Bouchard’s alluvium (soils intentions —fled inland to hide their and rock—  the valuables. In the end, Bouchard burned youngest deposit Ortega’s adobe home and cattle station and of the four types). destroyed his livestock, but he left Refugio empty-handed. A neat row of non-native Rancho Nuestra Señora del Refugio palms lines the shore. Like many large Alta California land grantees, the Ortegas sold off pieces Photo courtesy of Jean Bjerke Long-billed curlews Situated between the south branch of the Santa Ynez and the Arroyo Parida ground faults, Refugio is also affected by several offshore geologic faults. NATURAL HISTORY The mostly landscaped park had little native vegetation after Ortega’s cattle grazed here. Between the late 1920s and 1950, thenowners the Rutherford brothers planted the neat row of stately palm trees along the shore. Now part of the park’s historical landscaping, the palms were intended to attract tourists to what the Rutherfords called their “tropical paradise.” Bird species found in the park include yellow-rumped warblers, black phoebes, and acorn woodpeckers. Birds found among isolated patches Ceanothus silk moth of coastal sage scrub include the bushtit, California towhee, and wrentit. Such water birds as willets, marbled godwits, whimbrels, killdeer, and occasionally, long-billed curlews feed on the shoreline. The lagoon is home to mallards, coots, blackcrowned night herons, and various gulls and terns. Coast sunflowers lure ceanothus silk moths. Abundant rodents include the deer mouse and California pocket mouse. Other mammals include California voles and Audubon’s cottontails. Refugio Today What was once part of a grand rancho is now simply Refugio State Beach. The beach is easy to access from parking lots. With its smooth, shallow depths, this area is a preferred location for students seeking their open-water scuba diving certification. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Camping — A 66-site family campground and three group sites are close to the beach. There are no RV hookups. Observe quiet hours. Reserve campsites well in advance at www.parks.ca.gov or call (800) 444-7275. Trails — A portion of the 2.5-mile Aniso Trail (part of the California Coastal Trail) between Refugio and El Capitan State Beaches is closed for storm repairs. Call (805) 968-1033 Tuesday through Friday for trail updates. The beach — This narrow beach is near many campsites, and it invites visitors to swim, fish, kayak, scuba dive, and surf the waves. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES Accessible features include fairly level unpaved campsites, restrooms, and a blufftop bike trail/walkway with views of the Channel Islands. To reserve a beach wheelchair, call (805) 968-3834 M-F. Accessibility is continually improving. For updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. PLEASE REMEMBER • CONSULT A LIFEGUARD OR A TIDE CHART BEFORE HIKING ALONG THE BEACH. The beach that exists at low tide may disappear when the tide comes in, trapping you against the cliffs. • Keep dogs on leashes no longer than six feet, and in a tent or your vehicle at night. • Park quiet hours (10 p.m. – 6 a.m.) are strictly enforced. Generators may not be used between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. Noise should not be audible beyond campsites at any time. • A parent or guardian must accompany campers under 18. Unaccompanied youth must present written consent from a parent or guardian stating the dates of the authorized stay at Refugio State Beach. 160 ' d 160 12 120' Creek 80' Cor ' to Buellton 120' 101 101 Californ Real Calle 40' see detail map ia C o as ta l to El Capitan State Beach and Goleta r al 0' C an y o n 12 o adit Ven Re f 80' 0' Road Ro a ek Cre u g io al C u as Taj ig 20 0' 60' 0' 0' 16 Refugio 1 S tate B each 200' 12 160' gio R efu l R ea 200' C ek le re Tr a i l (Aniso) U N D E RWAT E R A R E A Legend Major Road Paved Road Unpaved/Service Road Railroad Trail: Accessible Trail: Hike & Bike Creek PACIFIC NEARBY STATE PARKS • El Capitan State Beach 2 El Capitan State Beach Rd Goleta 93117 (805) 585-1850 M-F • Chumash Painted Cave SHP Highway 154 on Painted Cave Road Santa Barbara 93105 (805) 585-1850 M-F OCEAN 0 0.25 0 0.25 Intermittent Stream 101 Re Underwater Area 101 ug Accessible Feature Campfire Center State g io Re f u Campground 119 Lompoc Solvang 1 Ranger Station 33 Chumash Painted Cave SHP Goleta Santa Bar Santa Barbara Carpinteria bara Ch a nn e l 150 101 to Oxnard C H A N N E L I S L A N D S N AT I O N A L P R E S E R V E Restrooms © 2015 California State Parks 246 El Capitán SB Refugio SB Parking Los Padres National Forest 135 Gaviota SP Lifeguard Tower Store 33 176 Group Campground Showers 166 101 Santa Maria Orcutt (2) 0.75 Kilometers 227 f io B each Roa d Be a c h Road to San Luis Obispo 0.5 Miles 0.5 San Miguel Island 0 0 500 Feet 250 50 100 150 Meters 10 0 0 10 20 20 Miles 30 Kilometers Santa Rosa Island Santa Cruz Island Anacapa Island PACIFIC OCEAN