Jalama Beach County Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jalama Beach County Park |
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Looking north at Jalama Beach County Park
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 Jalama Beach County Park
Location in California
Jalama Beach County Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Santa Barbara County, California |
| Nearest city | Lompoc, California |
| Area | 59.5 acres (24.1 ha) |
| Established | 1943 |
| Governing body | Santa Barbara County Parks |
Jalama Beach County Park is a fun seaside park and campground. It is located in Santa Barbara County, California. You can find it about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of Lompoc, California, right off California State Route 1.
Contents
History of Jalama Beach
Early Days: Chumash People
Long ago, this area was home to the Chumash people. They had a settlement here with names like "Halama" or "Shilimaqstush." When Spanish missionaries arrived in 1787, the Chumash people moved to the La Purísima Mission. The settlement at Jalama was then left empty.
Becoming a Park
Later, after California joined the United States, the land became private property. It belonged to the Atlantic Richfield Oil Company, also known as ARCO. Even though it was private, people from nearby Lompoc loved to camp at the beach.
In May 1943, ARCO decided to give 23.5 acres of the beach to Santa Barbara County. This land was set aside to be used as a public park. In 2007, the California Coastal Commission added even more land. They transferred another 36 acres to Santa Barbara County, making the park even bigger!
What You Can Do at Jalama Beach
Today, Jalama Beach is a great place to visit. You can enjoy a picnic during the day. If you want to stay longer, there are places to camp overnight.
Camping at the Park
The park has 107 campsites ready for visitors. Some of these sites, 31 of them, even have electrical hookups. They also have special places to empty RV waste.
Food and Fun
Jalama Beach also has a special store called the Jalama Beach Store. Inside, you'll find the famous Jalama Grill. It's a popular spot to grab a bite to eat while enjoying the beach.
