Sunday, October 10, 2010

Jalama Beach For A Picnic

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I try to keep us with new Followers but it can sometimes be tricky.  If my total Followers number on my dashboard doesn’t change, I may miss seeing an addition to the group.  Sometimes a Follower will take off and “Un-Follow” my blog and if that happens when a new Follower logs on…..the number stays the same.  So, if you are a newer Follower and I haven’t welcomed you officially, I’m sorry.  I try to catch every new person and let them know I appreciate them signing on.

Friday we got out of the RV park for a while and went on a little day trip.  We had a few options on where to go and we settled on Jalama Beach County Park.  We took Pacific Coast Highway, which is a right turn out of our RV park and headed South. 

This route takes you through agricultural areas and some small towns like Guadalupe and Lompoc.  After you go past Lompoc it is a short 4 or 5 mile to the Jalama Beach Road.  This road winds through hilly terrain of agriculture and cattle lands.

                                            Fields already harvested I assume.DSCF6997

                                          These guys are eating their own lunch.  Dry grass, yummy!DSCF6998

We were surprised on this small road how many cars and RV’s were driving in both directions.  Since we had never been to Jalama Beach previously, we didn’t know exactly what we’d find out there.  Heading out on a “mystery road” is always an adventure for us. 

                                            Jalama Beach is a Santa Barbara County ParkDSCF6980

Some of this area was part of a settlement of the native Chumash Indians for centuries.  Then as the surrounding area became more populated the local people began using Jalama for leisure time activities.  This is a public park on land that was donated to Santa Barbara County by Atlantic Richfield Oil Company in 1943 (ARCO).  All surrounding area is privately owned.  

The view as we came upon the park from above was beautiful.  There are campsites, showers, rest rooms, picnic areas, restaurant and store.

                                     We saw all sorts of RV’s and campers here at Jalama Beach Park.DSCF6979

We stopped at the gate and paid a Day Use fee of $8.00.  We found a parking area by some picnic tables on the beach.  Dogs are allowed if they are kept on leash.  It was a nice day and we enjoyed the ocean view while we ate our lunch.

                                            You can’t beat this view with a stick!DSCF6981

                                   We saw some surfers on this beach, as usual here along the coast.DSCF6984

After we finished eating, we got into the car and drove around the campsite areas looking things over.  We saw a few 40-foot motorhomes here as well as small rigs and lots of tents.   There are 117 dedicated campsites with some of them up on a bluff overlooking the ocean.

                                            This is the view from the upper camp area.DSCF6988 

                                                This gull stood very close to me as I took his picture.DSCF6990

There are some water and electric sites at Jalama and there is a dump station on site.  The cost for camping ranges from $20.00 for a basic no hook up site (off peak season) to $35.00 for a W/E site (peak season).   As usual for beach front campgrounds, the sites are close together. 

                                            RV’s of all types and lengths were in residence on this day.DSCF6989

After driving around, it was time to leave.  The Jalama Beach Road ends at the beach so you have no option but to return by the road you came in on.  We saw a few RV’s passing us on our way out.  I guess the new batch of weekenders were arriving.  With miles of sandy beach to play on, surfing possibilities, seasonal whale watching, fishing and bird watching, it is a good place to spend a few days.

              We passed some beautiful scenery on the way home, including a grape vineyard or two.DSCF6994

DSCF6992

DSCF6991

It was another great day, just scouting around in a new area.  I keep an atlas where I highlight every new road we travel on either in the RV or in the car on a day trip.  This trip gave me a new road to highlight in that atlas.   We enjoy finding those new mystery roads when we travel.

Until next time…..so long for now!

17 comments:

Gypsy said...

I'm not familiar with that part of CA, so I especially enjoyed the pictures today.

Rick said...

Thanks for posting those great pics of Jalama Beach Park. It sure looks like a beautiful spot with a fantastic view. Hopefully, we'll have time to visit there and have a look for ourselves.

Carol K said...

Thanks for the tour of Jalama Beach, Margie. We've been to Lompoc and the California mission near there, but not to Jalama Beach. I like the view from that campground. Could you tell if the sites were all full?

Karyn-Lee said...

We love adventuring too, what a great find that little RV park.
Nice place.

Sue and Doug said...

that looks like a great park!..right on the ocean!..how perfect is that!?

Margie M. said...

Carol: The park was very full last Friday, probably because of the weekend campers coming in. There are no reservations allowed there, so I suspect if you came in mid-week you could find a site.

Thanks for your comment!

Karen and Al said...

That's a really nice beach front campground.

Sam&Donna Weibel said...

Another great pictorial tour, Margie your the greatest, after reading your tours, it is almost like being there, except for not having the sounds and smells.If we ever get out to that part of CA we will be looking for rides like that. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna...

Unknown said...

What a nice campground! Thanks for sharing.

Freely Living Life said...

Looks like a beautiful area! Thanks for the tour and the history lesson!

{{hugs}}

Kenny And Angela's Adventure said...

As always great place to see and visit. Thanks for the tour.

Dennis and Donna said...

Love the views...We got some serious salt damage on the RV, camping right on the beach..That is the only downfall of beach camping that I can see...Thanks for the great info!

Travels with Emma said...

I do the same thing with my highlighter and road atlas! The big map of the whole US in the front looks like a bowl of spaghetti. :)

Anonymous said...

Looks like a spot that we will have to visit. Just checking out your blog for the first time. Thanks for your comments on our blog that my husband John updates. Take care! Judy from Rvlifeonwheels.

pidge said...

I love the RV park. We love going to a new area and then just driving down a road. I have never failed to be amazed by new sights. Even if it is just a large ranch or a colection of boulders, it's beautiful.

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