El Capitan Canyon takes great pride in sharing the beauty of the California coast. Staying here is an experience that is in harmony with nature and the environment. There are fewer and fewer places on earth where you can go to get away from man-made and artificial structures. El Capitan Canyon provides the perfect balance of comfort and essentials. Encounters with nature are designed to send you home with a greater sense of peace and serenity.
El Capitan Canyon is a year-round resort with an average temperature of 70° F. The stunning natural environment welcomes visitors and travelers from all over the globe. “Camping at El Capitan Canyon is not like pitching a tent at your local park. It’s more like being invited to the country compound of some old-money family with impeccable taste,” Sunset Magazine, April 2004.
Luxury campers will feel right at home. For your stay, choose between a lodge, canvas tent, and a yurt. All accommodations are furnished with willow beds, western-styled blankets, and casual furnishings. There are 108 cedar cabins of varying sizes and bedding arrangements. All cabins have front porches, peak ceilings, standard bathroom facilities, individual heating controls, and kitchenettes with microwave, mini-fridge, wet bar sink, and coffeemaker. The Canyon Market and Canyon Pool feature Wi-Fi access if you absolutely need to connect. As you would expect, cabins also have outdoor picnic tables, grills, and fire pits. Gather with your family and friends to grill dinner and toast marshmallows.
Canvas tents at El Capitan Canyon provide a more traditional camping experience. The tents are 12 feet by 14 feet and erected on permanent wooden decks. Private bathroom and shower facilities are conveniently located in a nearby building. A heated swimming pool is also located in close proximity. Staying in tents doesn’t mean you need to cook your own meals, the Canyon Market and Deli can do all that while you relax. If you prefer to do your own cooking, be sure to bring all the necessary kitchen supplies.
The Chumash tribe was the original inhabitant of El Capitan Canyon. They lived undisturbed for an estimated 8,000 years. Chumash legend explains that the land was created when the Great Spirit enlisted 7 giant sea turtles to carry the land and touched the land to make trees grow and rivers flow. In the 19th century, Spanish explorers and settlers claimed the land. However, in 1848 California became part of the United States. The modern-day El Capitan Canyon resort began as a rugged campground in 1970. In 2000, new local owners Chuck Blitz and Roger Himovitz transformed the campground in a refined rural retreat.
The vision of El Capitan Canyon is to protect and share the beauty of the California coast while providing a relaxing Santa Barbara beach camping experience. Every season has something to delight your senses. Smell the wild sage, listen to the croaking frogs or rhythmic waves, and feel the ocean breeze. El Capitan Canyon is very nature friendly. It uses solar power for heating the pool, promotes native vegetation, employs water conservation techniques, and reduces the impact of human presence by not allowing cars in the canyon. Complimentary bicycles are provided for quick transportation.
Not surprisingly, a beautiful landscape like this does not lack opportunities for adventure or relaxation. Guests can hike the canyon, explore the beach and surrounding areas on trails and bike paths, or relax and just enjoy glamping on the Santa Barbara coast. There are many free activities along with a selection of others that our staff can arrange with tour and adventure partners. Hiking, biking, surfing, rock climbing, sea kayaking, wine country tours, golfing, whale watching, and many others are on the list of things available.
El Capitan Canyon is a fantastic choice for your next vacation. Visit El Capitan Canyon’s website to learn more.
