Up the northbound 101, through the clutter and confusion of billboards, traffic, and strip malls, lies a sliver of coast, an untapped resource where cliffs disappear abruptly into the vast gray Pacific, and the native California brush outnumbers the people. Oil liners interrupt the seemingly infinite horizon, the silhouettes of the channel islands peek from behind ominous shape-shifting clouds, and a tarnished set of train tracks are the only sign of civilization. Don't forget to hold your breath and make a wish while driving through the dim-lit tunnel carved into Gaviota peak, as the road beyond it is long, winding, and jagged, and the conditions that await, unpredictable.
Upon reaching Jalama Road via Highway 1, with its checkered fields, rustic barns, grazing cattle, and majestic, golden countryside, the sight is indeed a welcoming one. There it is, Jalama Beach, notorious for its blustery northwestern winds, dangerous swell, and a burger joint that is without question one of the best on the central coast. Home to three significant California surf spots known as Cracks, the Beachbreak, and Tarantulas, and located immediately south of Vandenberg Air Force base and north of Point Conception, Jalama is, even on a mediocre day, utter paradise. Just out of cell phone range, two lonely payphones stand solitary and unused at the entrance, and the clanking of horseshoes and laughter can be heard off in the distance. Whether for a day trip or a week-long campout, Jalama is the ideal place to escape from reality, enjoy a simpler existence, and take in the tie-dye of pink and orange sunsets that turn into star-soaked evenings around the campfire.
Be aware that the camping system is first-come first-serve, reservations are not an option unless with a large group, and the 98-site grounds fill quickly. Check out every morning is 11am, with a slight grace period when the surf is firing. The park rangers are helpful, and the crowd mellow, usually found strumming guitars on the sandy white dunes or walking dogs along the water. Parking is eight dollars a day, and a campsite is eighteen dollars a night and includes overnight parking for one vehicle. Hot showers, restrooms, BBQ pits, and the general store are readily available for firewood, ice, groceries, and even a morning cup of hot coffee. A modern day utopia for any and all who appreciate nature and beauty, Jalama is not to be missed.
Take the 101 North to Highway 1/Lompoc/Vandenberg exit. When you get to the Jalama road exit (roughly about 14 miles) take a left and drive until you get to the park.
Attraction Information
- Contact:
- Location: Jalama Beach Road, Lompoc, CA
- Phone: 805-736-3504
- Website: www.countyofsb.org/parks
