Refugio State Beach

03/04/2026

Join the California State Parks’ El Capitán, Refugio and Gaviota (ECRG) State Parks General Plan Update Project team for a virtual public meeting this evening to learn about and share feedback on:
- Draft Vision Statement for the three-park system
- Draft Declaration of Purpose and Draft Vision Statement for each of the three park units.
- A draft concept for each park unit includes management zones with distinct resource character, allowable uses, and allowable facilities.

Virtual Meeting
Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, 6:00-7:30 pm
Via Zoom (link will be sent to registrants 2 days before the event)

RSVP at: https://ecrgplanupdate.com/participate/

Learn more at: https://ecrgplanupdate.com/

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02/18/2026

If you couldn’t attend the in-person El Capitán, Refugio and Gaviota (ECRG) State Parks General Plan Update Draft Concepts Meeting on Thursday, February 12, 2026, please join the virtual public meeting on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026.

This virtual meeting will cover the same material that was covered during the in-person meeting. Attend the virtual meeting to learn about and share feedback on:
- Draft Vision Statement for the three-park system
- Draft Declaration of Purpose and Draft Vision Statement for each of the three park units.
- A draft concept for each park unit includes management zones with distinct resource character, allowable uses, and allowable facilities.

Virtual Meeting
Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, 6:00-7:30 pm
Via Zoom (link will be sent to registrants 2 days before the event)

RSVP at: https://ecrgplanupdate.com/participate/

Learn more at: https://ecrgplanupdate.com/

02/12/2026

Join the California State Parks’ El Capitán, Refugio and Gaviota (ECRG) State Parks General Plan Update Project team for a public meeting this evening to learn about and share feedback on:

- Draft Vision Statement for the three-park system
- Draft Declaration of Purpose and Draft Vision Statement for each of the three park units.
- A draft concept for each park unit includes management zones with distinct resource character, allowable uses, and allowable facilities.

In-person Meeting
Thursday, February 12th, 2026, 6:00-7:30 pm
Vista de las Cruces School located at 9467 San Julian Rd, Gaviota CA 93117

Can’t make the in-person meeting? A virtual meeting will cover the same material. Attend the meeting that works best for you!

Virtual Meeting
Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, 6:00-7:30 pm
Via Zoom (link will be sent to registrants 2 days before the event)

RSVP at: https://ecrgplanupdate.com/participate/

Learn more at: https://ecrgplanupdate.com/

01/29/2026

Join the California State Parks’ El Capitán, Refugio and Gaviota (ECRG) State Parks General Plan Update Project team for a public meeting to learn about and share feedback on:

- Draft Vision Statement for the three-park system
- Draft Declaration of Purpose and Draft Vision Statement for each of the three park units.
- A draft concept for each park unit includes management zones with distinct resource character, allowable uses, and allowable facilities.

The in-person and virtual meetings will cover the same material. Attend the one that works best for you!

In-person Meeting

Thursday, February 12th, 2026, 6:00-7:30 pm
Vista de las Cruces School located at 9467 San Julian Rd, Gaviota CA 93117
RSVP at: https://ecrgplanupdate.com/participate/

Virtual Meeting
Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, 6:00-7:30 pm
Via Zoom (link will be sent to registrants 2 days before the event)

RSVP at: https://ecrgplanupdate.com/participate/

Tell us below about your favorite times at El Capitán SB, Refugio SB, and Gaviota SP. Share recent memories or ones from long ago! Note: By submitting text or images, you agree that the material may be used or displayed for any project purpose.

01/16/2026

Join the California State Parks’ El Capitán, Refugio and Gaviota (ECRG) State Parks General Plan Update Project team for a public meeting to learn about and share feedback on:

- Draft Vision Statement for the three-park system
- Draft Declaration of Purpose and Draft Vision Statement for each of the three park units.
- A draft concept for each park unit includes management zones with distinct resource character, allowable uses, and allowable facilities.

The in-person and virtual meetings will cover the same material. Attend the one that works best for you!

In-person Meeting

Thursday, February 12th, 2026, 6:00-7:30 pm

Vista de las Cruces School located at 9467 San Julian Rd, Gaviota CA 93117

RSVP at: https://ecrgplanupdate.com/participate/

Virtual Meeting

Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, 6:00-7:30 pm

Via Zoom (link will be sent to registrants 2 days before the event)

RSVP at: https://ecrgplanupdate.com/participate/

Learn more at: https://ecrgplanupdate.com/

02/04/2025

Dreaming of a rewarding and challenging career on the beach?
🌊🏖️ CA State Ocean Lifeguard Tryouts are here! 🏊‍♂️🚤
📅 Date: March 2, 2025
🕒 Time: 9am
📍 Location: Gaviota State Beach
Now is your chance to become part of a team committed to saving lives and protecting our beautiful coastline. Don't miss this opportunity to make a real difference!
Tryout consist of a COMPETITIVE swimming test consisting of the following:
- 1,000 yard open water swim. Time limit of 20 minutes.
- A continuous 200 yard run, 400 yard swim, 200 yard run. Time limit of 10 minutes.
For more details, visit https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30304.

08/01/2024

Is there any better way to welcome the month of August than the re-opening of Refugio? We are proud to announce this beaut is officially back open for you and yours to come soak up the majestic coast and recreate with abandon. All reservations previously made for this time period are valid. Thank you all so much for your patience while we got her back in ship shape for you.

07/16/2024

07/11/2024

🐝🌼 **Meet the California Digger Bee!** 🌼🐝

👀 Most Recently spotted at El Capitan State Beach on the Bill Wallace Trail! 🥾

Next time you're out enjoying our beautiful trails, keep an eye out for the **Anthophora californica**, also known as the California Digger Bee! These fascinating little pollinators are busy at work, helping our native plants thrive.

🔍 **Did you know?**
- They love sandy soils and often nest in desert regions.
- Despite their impressive name, these bees are solitary and quite friendly.
- Females dig burrows in the ground to lay their eggs – talk about a DIY project!

👀 **Spotting Tips:**
- Look for their robust bodies with a mix of black and yellow or orange hairs.
- You might catch them buzzing around flowers, gathering nectar and pollen.

Remember, they're not aggressive and will only sting if they feel threatened. So, admire these incredible insects from a safe distance and let them go about their important work. Happy trails! 🌿🌞

05/01/2024

ADAPT RENEW PRESERVE - General Plan updates are coming for El Capitan SB, Refugio SB, and Gaviota SP! These beloved beaches are rich in recreational, natural, cultural, and tribal resources. Storm damage, aging infrastructure, and high recreation demand are heavily impacting these coastal parks. New strategies are needed to ensure coastal resilience and access for generations to come.

Your insights and feedback are critical to this process. Please participate in the Visitor Experience Survey today!

www.ecrgplanupdate.com

04/18/2024

👋Greetings Refugio State Beach Fans 🏖

📢Update 4/18/2024:

Unfortunately, Refugio State Beach remains closed until further notice. Although much of the storm damage repairs and clean up are complete, obstacles still remain. Staff is working hard to get the park back open as quickly as feasible.

A series of sinkholes have opened across the entrance road to the park. These are a product of a failed culvert that directs surface water under the adjacent freeway and roadway into the park. When the sinkholes opened, it became apparent that the entire alignment of the road entering the park was under-cut and posed a significant risk to the park operations and the public. Due to the multi-jurisdictional span of the failed culvert, and the needed regulatory compliance permitting, this may take a considerable amount of time to remedy. All agencies are actively cooperating, and we are hopeful for a quick project.

As many of you have seen, the historic Canary Island Date Palms are also severely undermined. After the storms they were professionally assessed for health and stability. The forester determined that the remaining root mass of those palms which are precariously perched on the edge of the embankment is inadequate to support their weight. Therefore, it was determined Parks was not to allow the public to be nearby the trees.

Although the palms have been moved in the past, the logistics of excavating these, with their diminished root masses makes the project infeasible. They have stood as the protective measure for the park in the face of storms for decades. The palms are an iconic piece of the historic fabric of this park, yet sadly they cannot be left standing due to the risk they pose the park visitors. So, what to do? Refugio State Beach has over 200 of these trees on the property. State Parks biologists and foresters continue to study the option of moving healthy specimens forward to preserve the historic characteristic along the shore. We ask your patience and understanding while this process of environmental review and planning takes shape. Watch for the May 1st launch of the General Plan Update, we are looking for your participation in this important effort to adapt this shoreline and protect these parks into the future.

03/11/2024

CA State Parks Ocean Lifeguards Try Outs Mar 17th at 9AM! 🏖️

👉 Date: March 17, 2024
🕑 Time: 9:00 AM
📍 Location: Gaviota State Park. 17620 Gaviota State Beach Rd. Continue straight through Kiosk into Day use Parking Lot.
🏊‍♂️ This is your chance to enter the world of lifeguarding!

**This tryout was originally scheduled for Refugio State Beach, and has been moved due to storm damage.