79°
Mostly Sunny
1%
85
Santa Barbara County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Refugio State Beach
10 Refugio Beach Rd, Goleta, CA 93117
Palm-lined cove on the Gaviota coast with a small creek mouth and a popular beachfront campground. Often paired with neighboring El Capitan via a 2.5-mile coastal bike path.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
79°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Weather
- 79°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Safety
- UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
83 /100
great
81 Sunbathe
87 Walk
82 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
79°F
Clear
Wind
5 to 10 mph
WSW
Rain
1%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 10 AM–03 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
76°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Water Quality
Above threshold
2,000 MPN/100mL · Total Coliform
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (PZZ650)
The LOX office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- CAZ362 Malibu Coast — Los Angeles County Beaches n/a
- CAZ354 Ventura County Beaches n/a
- CAZ349 Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast — Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast n/a
- CAZ340 San Luis Obispo County Beaches — Santa Barbara Central Coast Beaches n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
9:00 AM
Sunset
11:11 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:32 AM | High | 5.4 ft |
| 7:22 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 2:02 PM | High | 4.7 ft |
| 7:45 PM | Low | 2.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:27 AM | High | 4.5 ft |
| 7:58 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 2:47 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 9:05 PM | Low | 1.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:32 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 8:32 AM | Low | 1.3 ft |
| 3:35 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 10:42 PM | Low | 1.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:07 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 9:09 AM | Low | 2.0 ft |
| 4:27 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:08 AM | Low | 1.2 ft |
| 6:18 AM | High | 2.8 ft |
| 9:57 AM | Low | 2.5 ft |
| 5:20 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:14 AM | Low | 0.8 ft |
| 8:19 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 11:05 AM | Low | 2.9 ft |
| 6:10 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:05 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:15 AM | High | 3.3 ft |
| 12:13 PM | Low | 3.0 ft |
| 6:58 PM | High | 5.5 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 9411340, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
76°
Mostly Sunny
1%
84
80°
Mostly Sunny
0%
85
83°
Mostly Sunny
2%
80
78°
Sunny
0%
81
78°
Sunny
0%
85
78°
Mostly Sunny
0%
86
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Day-use $10 per vehicle.
Dogs
No dogs on the beach. Leashed (6 ft) dogs allowed in campground and paved areas only.
Entry Fee
$10 per vehicle day-use.
Address
10 Refugio Beach Rd, Goleta, CA 93117
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Refugio State Beach today?
Refugio State Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Refugio State Beach dog-friendly?
No dogs on the beach. Leashed (6 ft) dogs allowed in campground and paved areas only.
Is there an entry fee at Refugio State Beach?
$10 per vehicle day-use.
Are there lifeguards at Refugio State Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Refugio State Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Refugio State Beach?
Amenities at Refugio State Beach include restrooms, showers, lifeguard tower, camping, picnic tables.
When is the water warmest at Refugio State Beach?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is Refugio State Beach located?
Refugio State Beach is in Santa Barbara County, CA, at 10 Refugio Beach Rd, Goleta, CA 93117.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS