Right Beaches › California › Goleta
Refugio State Beach
4.6★ · 1,569 Google ratings · Goleta, California
✓ Parking✓ Short walk✓ Restrooms✓ Good for kids
At a glance
Parking
On-site lot · 30 ft away
Walk
0.7 miles · 16 min
Restrooms
Yes · 130 ft away
Water
68°F · modelled, no buoy nearby
Children
Reported good for young kids
Sand
150 ft from the water to the back
Water quality
Mixed · 7% of 98 over the limit · 2025
Map of Refugio State Beach
1
2
1Parking2Restrooms130 ft from the listing
Guide
Good to know
Reported good with little kids
Visitors often mention shallow or calm water. This is what reviewers report, not a safety assessment.Mentioned by 13 visitors · 2017–2026
Some shade is available
Visitors mention trees, cliffs or umbrellas to get out of the sun.Mentioned by 9 visitors · 2017–2026
Arrive before 10:30am in summer
Reviewers report having the beach nearly to themselves in early morning before crowds build throughout the day.
Bring cash for shower tokens
Showers require token purchases from machines that accept credit card only with a $20 minimum charge.
Pack soap and hand towels
Restrooms lack soap dispensers and hand-drying supplies, and reviewers warn about bird droppings in bathroom areas.
Conditions
How it is right now
Air
69°F · clear
Water
68°F · modelled, no buoy nearby
Waves
3.1 ft · 9 s apart
Wind
19 mph from the N
Shelter
Cross-shore · wind running along the beach
UV index
7 peak today
| Time | Tide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 15:37 | High tide | ↑ |
Last updated Sep 4, 5:30 AM.
Practical
Plan your visit
📍 10 Refugio Beach Rd, Goleta, CA 93117
🅿 Parking 30 ft from the listing
🌊 Water 0.7 miles away, about 16 min walk
🚽 Restrooms 130 ft away
Nearby
Other beaches close by
2.5 miles away · shorter walk
2.6 miles away
3.5 miles away
9.0 miles away · shorter walk
9.0 miles away
11 miles away
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Questions
Common questions
Where do you park at Refugio State Beach?
The nearest mapped parking area is 30 ft from the listed location. Positions come from OpenStreetMap, not from review text.
How far is the walk to the water at Refugio State Beach?
200 ft in a straight line from the listing to the mapped shoreline, under a minute. Soft sand and dune make the real walk longer than the straight line.
Does Refugio State Beach have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped 130 ft from the listing.
Measured from OpenStreetMap, public aerial imagery and live conditions data, and counted from visitor reviews. Every source, in full.
