Gaviota Beach is a solitary beach protected by high cliffs.
NOT RECOMMENDED
In April, 2003, a California state park ranger wrote to warn those frequenting Gaviota Beach: "All of these areas are patrolled regularly by both state park peace officers as well as Santa Barbara County Sheriffs, and recent acts of lewd conduct discovered there have been prosecuted to the highest letter of the law...
recent complaints of nudity have met with at a minimum a citation of CCR 4322, and at most arrests for PC 314 Indecent Exposure. PC 314 (Indecent Exposure) is listed as a sex crime in California, and carries with it upon conviction lifetime registration in their community as a sex offender."
Location: Santa Barbara County
Description: Long stretch of sand with cliffs. You can walk all the way to the State Park Beach, but it's best to stop at the railroad trestle. Oil slicks on the beach - wear shoes.
Who's at Gaviota Beach: Mixed crowd
Gaviota Beach Facilities: None
Gaviota Beach Activities: Whale watching in season
Getting to Gaviota Beach: North of Santa Barbara on US 101 before the refinery. Park along the road next to the Amtrak tracks, but don't leave your valuables in the car. Stay on the paths to avoid poison oak.
Gaviota Beach Rating:
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Laws regarding nudity at the naturist beach vary by location and fines are stiff in some places. I have made every effort to provide accurate information, but the responsibility for knowing the law at Gaviota Beach is yours.
Nude or naturist beach neophytes, please be respectful of others and read the Nude Beach and Topless Beach Etiquette guidelines before you go to a nude beach and check the nudity laws too.
