Introduction
Santa Barbara County is one of California's most scenic wine regions — the only major AVA where the coastal range runs east–west, funneling cool ocean fog deep into the valleys. The result is world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Sta. Rita Hills, balanced Rhône and Bordeaux varieties in the Santa Ynez Valley, and a relaxed, sun-drenched wine trail just minutes from the Pacific.
For RV travelers, Santa Barbara County is unique: you can camp on state-beach bluffs at El Capitan and Refugio, lake-side at Lake Cachuma, or in full-hookup resorts in the Santa Ynez Valley. It's one of the few wine regions where you can taste world-class Pinot Noir in the morning and watch the sunset over the ocean from your RV site.
RV parks in Santa Barbara County
9 curated parks near Santa Barbara County wineries.
Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground
Santa Barbara County, California
Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground sits in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley wine country in Buellton, rated a top RV campground in the U.S. by USA Today. The resort combines full-hookup RV sites, luxury cabins, and vintage Airstreams with a swimming pool, splash pad, and easy access to Solvang, the Danish village just four miles away. Surrounded by acclaimed wineries along the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.
From $144/night · 200 sites · Full hookups (30/50 amp)
View details View on mapSun Outdoors Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County, California
Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara (formerly Ocean Mesa RV Resort) is a premier coastal resort-style campground perched in the hills above El Capitán State Beach, just 15 miles west of downtown Santa Barbara. With sweeping Pacific Ocean views, resort-style amenities including a pool, market, and on-site food service, it's a perfect base for wine touring through the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Rita Hills.
From $144/night · 130 sites · Full hookups (30/50 amp)
View details View on mapSanta Barbara Sunrise RV Park
Santa Barbara County, California
Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park is a small, friendly urban RV park conveniently located within walking distance of downtown Santa Barbara, the beach, restaurants, and shops. All spaces feature full hookups, and the park is ideal for visitors wanting to explore the city's wine district, the urban wine trail, and day trip to the Santa Ynez Valley wine country just 30 minutes away.
From $70/night · 34 sites · Full hookups (30/50 amp)
View details View on mapGaviota State Park Campground
Santa Barbara County, California
Gaviota State Park Campground is a spectacular oceanfront campground situated where the Santa Ynez Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, 33 miles west of Santa Barbara. The park features a beach, fishing pier, and access to hiking trails including the famous Hot Springs Canyon Trail. An unforgettable natural setting within easy reach of the Santa Ynez Valley wine country and Santa Rita Hills AVA.
From $35/night · 39 sites · No hookups (dry camping)
View details View on mapEl Capitán State Beach Campground
Santa Barbara County, California
El Capitán State Beach Campground is one of California's most beloved coastal campgrounds, nestled among ancient sycamore and oak trees above a bluff with beach access via stairs. Located 20 miles west of Santa Barbara, it's a gorgeous natural retreat with tidepools, seasonal ranger programs, and trails connecting to Refugio State Beach. Day trips to Santa Ynez Valley wine country are just 30 minutes away.
From $45/night · 133 sites · No hookups (dry camping)
View details View on mapLake Cachuma Recreation Area
Santa Barbara County, California
Lake Cachuma Recreation Area is a sprawling county park campground set on a stunning reservoir in the Santa Ynez Valley, the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. The lake is a wildlife sanctuary hosting bald eagles and migratory birds in winter, and offers boating, fishing, and ranger-led wildlife boat cruises. With 500 sites and full hookups available, it's the largest and most versatile RV destination in Santa Barbara County — and wineries are minutes away.
From $55/night · 100 sites · Full hookups & dry camping
View details View on mapRefugio State Beach Campground
Santa Barbara County, California
Refugio State Beach Campground is a beloved California coastal gem featuring a sheltered cove lined with distinctive palm trees just steps from your campsite. Located 23 miles west of Santa Barbara, the campground offers direct beach access, snorkeling in the kelp beds, tidepools, and a scenic bike path connecting to El Capitán State Beach. The Santa Ynez Valley wine country and Santa Rita Hills AVA are a scenic 30-minute drive through the mountains.
From $45/night · 67 sites · No hookups (dry camping)
View details View on mapEarl Warren Showgrounds RV Park
Santa Barbara County, California
Earl Warren Showgrounds RV Park is a convenient full-hookup RV park located within the Santa Barbara Fairgrounds complex, just off US-101. Offering large pull-through sites accommodating big rigs and 5th wheels, the park provides easy access to downtown Santa Barbara, the beach, the Urban Wine Trail, and day trips to the nearby Santa Ynez Valley wine country only 30 miles north via the scenic San Marcos Pass.
From $80/night · 44 sites · Full hookups (30/50 amp)
View details View on mapRancho Oso Guest Ranch & Stables
Santa Barbara County, California
Rancho Oso Guest Ranch & Stables is a charming Western-themed RV park and guest ranch tucked into a private canyon in the Los Padres National Forest, 10 miles north of Santa Barbara. Surrounded by oak woodland and the Santa Ynez River, the ranch offers horseback riding, hiking, a swimming pool, and fishing pond in an idyllic backcountry setting. The Santa Ynez Valley wine country, including Lake Cachuma, is just over the mountains.
From $84/night · 190 sites · Full hookups (30/50 amp)
View details View on map
Wineries near Santa Barbara County RV parks
Santa Barbara Winery
Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Santa Barbara's oldest winery on the Urban Wine Trail
1 miles from Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park
Visit wineryCarr Winery
Pinot Noir & Cabernet Franc
Warehouse tasting room on the Urban Wine Trail
1 miles from Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park
Visit wineryMunicipal Winemakers
Grenache & Pinot Noir
Buzzy urban winery in the Funk Zone
2 miles from Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park
Visit wineryFess Parker Winery & Vineyard
Syrah & Chardonnay
Iconic Santa Barbara estate with stunning tasting room
5 miles from Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground
Visit wineryFirestone Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Pioneer of Santa Barbara County wine region
6 miles from Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground
Visit winerySunstone Winery
Merlot & Syrah
Certified organic Provençal-inspired winery
7 miles from Lake Cachuma Recreation Area
Visit wineryBeckmen Vineyards
Syrah & Grenache
Biodynamic estate in Los Olivos
8 miles from Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground
Visit wineryRusack Vineyards
Pinot Noir & Syrah
Santa Ynez Valley boutique estate
8 miles from Lake Cachuma Recreation Area
Visit wineryAndrew Murray Vineyards
Rhône blends
Acclaimed Rhône specialist in the Santa Ynez Valley
10 miles from Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground
Visit wineryZaca Mesa Winery
Syrah & Rhône blends
Organic estate on a scenic mesa plateau
12 miles from Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground
Visit winerySanford Winery
Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Pioneer of Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14 miles from Gaviota State Park Campground
Visit wineryAlma Rosa Winery
Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Certified organic Santa Rita Hills estate
16 miles from Gaviota State Park Campground
Visit wineryFlying Goat Cellars
Pinot Noir
Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir specialist
18 miles from Gaviota State Park Campground
Visit wineryHitching Post Wines
Pinot Noir
Sideways film fame, Buellton landmark
20 miles from Gaviota State Park Campground
Visit wineryBrewer-Clifton
Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Acclaimed Santa Rita Hills producer
22 miles from Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara
Visit wineryFoley Estates Vineyard & Winery
Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Elegant Santa Rita Hills estate
22 miles from Gaviota State Park Campground
Visit wineryFiddlehead Cellars
Pinot Noir & Sauvignon Blanc
Boutique Santa Rita Hills estate
24 miles from Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara
Visit wineryRiverbench Vineyard & Winery
Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Santa Maria Valley estate in scenic wine country
30 miles from Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park
Visit wineryFoxen Winery & Vineyard
Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Legendary Foxen Canyon Trail landmark since 1985
35 miles from Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park
Visit winerySanta Barbara County RV Camping Guide
Santa Barbara County is the only major California wine region where the coastal mountains run east–west, which funnels cool Pacific fog deep into the valleys and creates one of the world's best cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay terroirs in the Sta. Rita Hills. The warmer Santa Ynez Valley, just over the ridge, produces Rhône varieties (Syrah, Grenache) and Bordeaux blends. Touring both in a single trip gives you two distinct wine experiences within a 45-minute drive.
RV camping here is uniquely varied. The state-beach campgrounds at El Capitan, Refugio and Gaviota let you park on coastal bluffs within a short drive of the Santa Ynez wine trail — a rare chance to combine ocean-front mornings with afternoon tastings. Lake Cachuma offers a quieter, forested base inland, while the full-hookup resorts in the Santa Ynez Valley itself are the most big-rig-friendly option. State-beach sites are tight and best for smaller, self-contained rigs, so measure carefully before booking.
Reservations are the key to the state-beach sites, which release on a rolling six-month window and vanish the day they open for summer dates. For spontaneous trips, target the Santa Ynez Valley resorts or Lake Cachuma, which are larger and more flexible. Pair your wine tasting with a walk on El Capitan Beach, a visit to the historic Santa Ynez mission towns of Solvang and Los Olivos, and a sunset drive along Highway 154 over the San Marcos Pass for the full Santa Barbara County experience.