El Capitán State Beach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids El Capitán State Beach |
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El Capitán State Beach looking east
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 El Capitán State Beach
Location in California
El Capitán State Beach
Location in the United States
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| Location | Santa Barbara County, California |
| Nearest city | Goleta, California |
| Area | 2,634 acres (10.66 km2) |
| Established | 1953 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
El Capitán State Beach is a wonderful beach park in California. Its name means "the captain" in Spanish. This park is one of three state parks along the beautiful Gaviota Coast. You can find it about 20 miles (32 km) west of Santa Barbara. The beach was named after José Francisco Ortega. He was a Spanish Army captain who received land in this area in 1795.
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Fun Things to Do at El Capitán Beach
El Capitán State Beach offers many fun activities for visitors. You can spend the day at the beach or stay longer at the campground.
Explore the Beach
The beach has cool tide pools where you can discover sea creatures. Remember to look but don't touch! It's a great place to explore nature.
Camping Adventures
The park has 131 campsites, including some for RVs. There are also 5 group sites for bigger gatherings. The camping area is shady with sycamore and oak trees. It's a perfect spot for a family camping trip.
Meet Monarch Butterflies
In the autumn, Monarch butterflies gather at El Capitán. They come here to breed and rest. It's an amazing sight to see so many beautiful butterflies!
History of El Capitán State Beach
El Capitán State Beach has an interesting history, including some challenges.
The 2015 Oil Spill Cleanup
In 2015, an oil spill happened near the park. A pipeline carrying crude oil broke. The oil flowed into the ocean and spread along about 7 miles (11 km) of coastline. This included El Capitán and nearby Refugio State Beaches. Both parks had to close for much of the summer for cleanup. This even included the busy Memorial Day weekend. The pipeline that caused the spill is no longer used today.
The 2016 Sherpa Fire
In 2016, the Sherpa Fire swept through a canyon near the park. The fire damaged the park's water system. The park had already closed because of the smoke and fire danger. This helped keep everyone safe.
Gallery
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Welcome sign.
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Amphitheater at campground.
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Lifeguard station.
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View of beach looking west.
