Refugio is a very popular destination for beach-goers.  With over 100 campsites (mostly reserved from early on in the vacation season), the beach can be very crowded.  But once underwater you won't have to worry about those crowds!  Just a short distance off shore you'll find kelp beds and reef, and, for the more adventurous, a rocky point to explore to the West.

Found 19 miles West of Santa Barbara, take the Refugio exit of Highway 101, and follow the signs to the beach.

Refugio State Beach

I dove this site with 3 other friends.  Easy parking and very easy shore entry.  Great kelp beds on the Southern side.  Very little current or surge when we were there.  Busy campsite but worth the trip.  Vis on this day was between 5-7 and depths about 20ft with lots of starfish and kelp fish around.

Jonathan Weinman's Dive Log

@jonathan_weinman

1 dives