Jalama Beach

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

I didn't camp here, we were in a cabin, but after walking the campground, I got a clear idea of how camping would be. The first area (South beachfront section) would be very nice if you can get in there, large spots with shrubbery between them for privacy as well as a wind break. The lower central camping area seems like it is a cattle call area. Tight, dry and very small sites with limited parking. Not nearly enough restrooms for the amount of people that this area holds. The North River area would be my second pick, since there was grass there and bigger spots. And then there are the 2nd and 3rd levels which have nice views and power, these are best in an RV, although depending on your RV's size, you could park them in any spot here.

The Store and Cafe:

There is a small store, not terribly overpriced, and almost everything a camper would need that you forgot, just don't forget beer, because you need to buy them one at a time, costly! But they have ice and emergency food items that didn't get into the ice chest, don't look for steaks, but hot dogs, bacon and eggs, they do have. Now as for this "World Famous" Jalama burger, I just don't get it, the best in the world?? Come on people, you need to get out more! It is a good tasting, backyard grilled tasting burger, and when camping in the middle of nowhere, a prepared burger will always taste good, but WAY too much "Sauce" and lettuce for my taste. But I had one and it was fine, just not the best in the world.

The Cabins:
The cabins are basically very nice park model trailers. These have a picnic table, charcoal grill and fire pit. We brought all of our own kitchen utensils thinking that like most vacation rentals, they would be crap, WRONG! Very nice dishes, glasses and silverware, and the cookware was Cuisinart, VERY NICE! There is a nice flat screen tv with Directv service. The best part of these are that you have your very own, private bathroom and HOT shower, AWESOME! There is a great view from each cabin, as they are on the 2nd level.

Campground Rundown:
The lower camping area has firepit and table only, short 2' fence is only privacy. There are 3 mens toilets and 4 womens for this entire area. there are 10 hot showers here which close at sunset. These rounded concrete bathrooms look like they were built to withstand a hurricane, which felt like one when we were there.
Spots 105 - 117 top level elec. only spots, with nearby water, firepit, table and 20 & 30 amp power.
Spots 80 - 97 Second level, all with firepit, table, one restroom and 20/30 amp power. 80 - 87 have view, 88 - 97, back row, limited view.
37 - 52 back row, nicest. Back in.
27 - 36b middle row pull through.
17 - 26 back of front row. Back in.
1 - 9 front row. Back in.
10 - 16 at north end near river, large back in.
South beachfront section: bigger spots with firepit and table along with large, thick privacy hedges. One double barreled restroom (1 male, 1 female, 2 toilets each) for this area.
53 - 64 prime beachfront
68 - 79 back row
GOLDEN SPOTS ARE 54 and 57




Pros:

• Very desolate
• Ocean views from most sites
• Awesome beach
• Very nice staff
• Wildlife sightings, in and out of the ocean
•  Very nice and reservable cabins with TV
• On-site store with some cafe food

Cons:

• Non-reserveable campspots
• No cell service or wi-fi
• Bad restroom situation
• No shade and sometimes EXTREMELY windy
• Small sites with no privacy
• Zero shade, so bring your own

How To Get In:  THIS IS BS!!!
All campers wanting a camp site must drive out to Jalama Beach, must drive out to the park and get your name on a waiting list. The earlier you get there the better.  If your name is called and you are at the flag pole at 3 p.m. you can get in.  If you're not there at 3 p.m. they give your spot to the next person on the list. If they call your name, and you are there, you also have the option of rolling your name over to the next day's list. This puts you ahead of everyone who arrives the next day.

"Jalama Beach is approximately an hour drive from Santa Barbara and a 45-minute drive from Lompoc.  A sign 4.5 miles south of Lompoc off Highway 1 will direct you onto Jalama Road. Follow this scenic 14.5 mile road to the coast. The park entrance will be at the end of the road. Jalama is subject to high winds and rough surf. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months, however visitors swim at their own risk."

http://www.countyofsb.org/parks/parks06.aspx?id=13988
Jalama Beach County Park
9999 Jalama Road
Lompoc, CA 93436
Recorded Information: (805) 736-6316
Park Gate: (805) 736-3504

	Cabin [Map]		Bedroom [Map]
	Bedroom 2 [Map]		Sunset [Map]
	Flats campground [Map]		Typical spot [Map]
	Electric only sites, top level. [Map]		View from top sites [Map]
	Second level. [Map]		Entry [Map]
	Mens room [Map]		Restrooms [Map]
	Spot 53 [Map]		Back row of southern area [Map]
	Beachfront spots [Map]		View from spot 59 [Map]
	Southern restroom [Map]		Showers [Map]
	Dump station [Map]		Cabins, backside parking area [Map]
	Cabin view [Map]		Cabins [Map]
	Map [Map]		Northside riverview [Map]
	Wildlife [Map]		Golden spot 57 [Map]
	Restaurant view [Map]		Restaurant [Map]
	Jalama burger [Map]		Store and restaurant [Map]
	The creek from the train tracks [Map]

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