The Santa Inez Mountains, oriented east-to-west, crowd close to the Pacific Ocean on the northwestern margin of the Santa Barbara Channel in California. The shoreline faces south, which means more sun, and protection from northerly ocean swells. Off coast, the Channel Islands National Park (Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Anacapa) protect against swells from the south.
The result is 76 miles of sunny beaches with calm waters – The Gaviota Coast. Three California State Parks dot the coastline: El Capitan,
Refugio, 2.5 miles west,
and Gaviota, 15 more miles from there.
The Gaviota Coast is the largest stretch of undeveloped coastline remaining in California. It has been called the end of Southern California.
A Spanish expedition to California in 1769 camped in the area, teeming with seagulls – “gaviota” in Spanish. Jose Francisco Ortega, chief scout, went on to a 40-plus year military career in Santa Barbara, overseeing the construction of the Presidio. When he retired as a captain, he was bestowed a land grant, or “rancho,” which was later expanded by his grandson to include the area that would become my park – “El Capitan.” The Ortega group site at El Cap is also named after him. Another group site, Portola, was named for the leader of the expedition. De Anza site gets is name for the leader of the subsequent expedition, with over 200 settlers from northern Mexico, in 1776.
Cabrillo is named for the explorer who sailed along California’s coast back in 1542. Sir Francis Drake and his ship, The Golden Hind, followed in 1579. Yup, there’s a group site named after him too.
While we know much of the Spanish who first encountered (but certainly did not “discover”) this coast, the same cannot be said for the indigenous people who were already here. Even the name “Chumash,” used to describe the entire region’s Native Americans all the way from Malibu to San Simeon, was chosen by a white guy in 1891 and really only described a tribe that inhabited Santa Cruz Island. The Chumash word for seagull is “aniso,” and in a feeble attempt at parity, the trail that runs along the bluff from El Cap to Refugio is known as the Aniso Trail.
As a student at UC Santa Barbara from 1986 to 1990, I was too busy, too broke, and too lacking in curiosity to appreciate this magical place, less than 20 miles from Santa Barbara. I am so thankful to have a second chance to discover its history and beauty. Come see me at El Cap and experience the Gaviota Coast for yourself!
This Post Has 14 Comments
It’s beautiful! So glad you have a great place to park Hunker Down and room for kids to roam!
Just passed you on highway 101
Good to see u r doing well. Pics r great
So cool you made it safely back to the West Coast. If you are ever up for a trip to Catalina Island. I’m still here and would love to offer you complimentary stay with your fur babies. My hubby and I have yet to purchase our RV (but that is still in the plan).Our best friends and their fifth wheel are on the road headed up to Washington. Looking forward to living again now that we are returning back to some sort of normal. Carpé Diem lady!
Kelly, what a generous offer, thanks! I visited Catalina in early June with a friend (blog article about the experience soon to follow), but I want to go back!
How is your internet at your site? We are thinking about camp hosting, but my husband is working and needs good internet. I love your blog, thanks for sharing it’s very interesting.
Hi, Cindy! Connectivity on the road is certainly an issue. I laugh, thinking back to my naïve days before I started full-timing, when I thought I could get by with the WiFi in RV parks.
I have unlimited data from AT&T on my iPhone and iPad, and an unlimited Sprint/T Mobile Wi-Fi device for the laptop and streaming to the Roku devices. Still, in some locations, I do not have enough bars to do things like Zoom meetings.
When I first hit the road I had Verizon, and in my experience it really does have the best coverage around the United States. I may switch back now that I no longer have a satellite dish (I was lured away by a DirecTV/AT&T bundle).
Tammy your story telling makes people want to come experience for themselves I am sure.
Beautiful area , can you really camp for the summer in that area?
Would be amazing!
Enjoy your Summer and glad you are liking your new living quarters!
Thank you for sharing! Pam
Hi, Pam! I volunteer at El Capitan State Park twenty hours per week in exchange for my site and hookups. That’s how I get to stay for the summer!
Hi Tammy, Loved your Catalina Island pictures and stories. Soo beautiful! My Son and his family just stayed there. They loved the place!
Are you Camp Hosting again this summer in Santa Barbara? Sooo beautiful!!
Thank you again and Happy New Year to you!
Cheers🍾Pam
Hi Pam! I’m taking a few months off, and I’ll be back at El Cap for the summer, starting in July.
As many times I have been in the area, I didn’t think about the historical nature of the area. Thanks!!!!!
So glad you are finding ways to get Hunker Downs out visiting new places! What a logistical challenge, I am impressed! We have done some camp hosting and have met some great people. And, so glad to see you posting wonderful pictures and giving such great historical and location info/content. Your work is appreciated! Thank you, Tammy. Hope to see you on the road again sometime, I will never forget our crossing paths near Natchez, MS!
A beautiful reminder of our winter in the area!