Jalama Beach

Photo by Gabe | Fuji X-E2

JULY, 2017

Central California
Beach
Camping

Ahhh… Jalama. One of the most beautiful, unspoiled and remote stretches of California’s beaches. It’s quiet, out of the way, and even those who live within a few hours drive are probably unfamiliar with this beach.

We’d heard about Jalama, so we went to check it out. As we headed north on Highway 1 out of Santa Barbara, a small sign for Jalama caught our eye. After a scenic fifteen-mile drive off of the highway through green hills and farmland, we reached the coast and the entrance to Jalama Beach. As far as the eye can see, there is nothing. No homes, no hotels, just mile after mile of beach. Jalama has a campground with day-use and overnight areas, as well as a convenience store and beachfront cafe. It gets pretty windy out here, so tent camping isn’t optimal. What caught our eyes, however, were cabins up on the bluff. Now that’s what I call camping! This first visit, we were awed by the beauty of the area, with no intention of staying, so we snapped a few photos, and made a mental note before heading out.

Valley view heading to Jalama Beach

Photo by Gabe ~ Fuji X-E2

Flash forward to a year later, and I went online to get some more information about those cabins. While they normally have a two-night minimum, I was able to get a single night’s stay once the summer rush had ended. The cabins, as well as the campsites, fill up quickly for the entire year. We weren’t sure how bare bones these cabins would be, so we packed up the car at home with sheets, blankets, and pillows, just in case.

Mystical, magical – all of this and more. The beauty of this place is its solitude.

We got there ahead of check-in time, so we parked and took a hike along the bluffs that lie just North of the beach and campground. Here, maybe 100 feet above the beach, the trail winds along the cliff’s edge with nothing on the horizon but blue sky and waves. Simply incredible! There are train tracks that lay about 1/4 mile off of the bluff, and every once in a while, you’ll see and hear as the Amtrak rolls past.

After a couple of hours of exploring the bluffs, we headed back, and it was time for check-in. When we got to our cabin, we were pleased with what we found. A lovely one bedroom cabin, a deck out front with chairs looking over the ocean, a (pull-out) sofa, television with Direct TV, refrigerator, kitchen, table and chairs, bathroom, shower, bunkbeds and separate private bedroom with a queen bed – clean linens included! The cabin was spotless, well outfitted and maintained. We were just going to spend the night, so we didn’t bring much, but after loading in our gear, we settled on the porch to enjoy the view.

Quiet road to Jalama

Photo by Gabe ~ Fuji X-E2

Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner

Photo by Gabe ~ Fuji X-E2

Looking North across Jalama Beach

Photo by Gabe ~ FujiX-E2

Railroad trestle

Photo by Gabe ~ Fuji X-E2

We brought a few snacks, but we decided early on to have dinner at the Jalama Beach Grill – just a few minutes’ walk down the hill from our cabin. We’d read all over Yelp that we should try the World Famous Jalama Burger. OK, so it’s windy, you’re tired, and there’s nowhere else to go… but this burger was awesome! Add in some onion rings, fries, and a cold beer, and all is right with the world. They aren’t open too late, so time it right to make sure that you get dinner – unless you’ve got something to cook back at your cabin or campsite.

Birds in formation

Photo by Gabe ~ Fuji X-E2

Northern edge of the Jalama Campground

Photo by Gabe ~ Fuji iPhone 6

Sunset from our cabin

Photo by Steve ~ iPhone 7 Plus

Gabe & Steve

Fuji X-E2

We headed back up to the cabin and grabbed our camera gear to set out and capture some of the day’s fading light. This time, we headed South from the campground, again on a trail that overlooked the bluffs. It’s from here that Gabe captured some of our trip’s most amazing photos.

Back at our cabin, we built a campfire and enjoyed the cold (did we mention it was windy) night with a nice bottle of wine before ending the day.

Mystical, magical – all of this and more. The beauty of this place is its solitude. If you’re looking for a beach with tons of activities, playgrounds, shops, and restaurants, Jalama may not be the best place for you. But if you want to enjoy an incredible and pristine stretch of California’s coast, head out to Jalama. You won’t be disappointed!

11 Comments

Holly on July 25, 2017 at 10:43 am

Thanks, you two, for taking me on a mini vacation while I sit in my chair at work. Photos are stunning! And if I get to make that trip I will be sure to take a windbreaker ?
- Steve Wilson on July 25, 2017 at 12:06 pm
  
  Holly- so happy that you enjoyed the post! We love it up there and hope to go back again!
KellyCano on July 25, 2017 at 10:35 pm

Seems to be a blissful vacation when you need a place of solitude and beauty. Thanks for all the wonderful information and tips.
- Steve Wilson on July 26, 2017 at 8:18 am
  
  Thanks so much Kelly! Pack up the camper and take the family there. You won’t be disappointed!
Kathy Wehrley on July 26, 2017 at 3:46 am

Lovely photos and arresting prose. You two have a knack for this. Thank you for the mini getaway this morning.
- Steve Wilson on July 26, 2017 at 8:19 am
  
  Thanks, Kathy! If you’re ever out this way, we’ve got some great places to share with you!
  - Kathy on July 26, 2017 at 8:34 am
    
    If I get out there, the two of you will be the first people I call!
Lisa Anderson on July 29, 2017 at 7:54 pm

As usual, an awesome post.
Jalama is such a jewel! I often make the trek just for a couple hours when I pick up my wine in the Santa Rita Hills. It’s worth the drive for my sanity…I love to camp, so bringing the tent isn’t an issue for me or the kids when they come along. The hubby? He’s like you guys, he prefers the cabins. Haaaa
- Steve Wilson on July 30, 2017 at 7:38 pm
  
  Lisa – thanks so much for your kind words! Jalama is amazing and we can’t wait to go back. We don’t mind camping but I have heard stories about getting blown around there in the middle of the night – and we didn’t want to have one of those stories for ourselves! Thanks for following along!!
Karen on September 6, 2017 at 2:53 pm

I love your website and will be sure to stop by Jalama Beach when I have some time off. Thanks for the beautiful pictures and travel tips.
- Steve Wilson on September 6, 2017 at 8:48 pm
  
  Thanks so much Karen! Glad to have given you someplace new to visit and check out. You’ll love Jalama … we did!!

Want new articles delivered to your inbox?
Subscribe to our Newsletter!

Instagram

Our Partners

CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

From the creation and implementation of full-service websites to complex systems custom-built for your business, look no further than our friends at Outside Open. This extremely talented group of individuals helps us on a daily basis… and they’re also a great team who are dedicated to every customer they serve.

VALUE FROM INNOVATION

Since 1934, Fuji has specialized in film, imaging solutions, photographic equipment and photographic papers. Their innovative approach to the business provides top-quality products and services… and we are huge fanatics and consumers of all things Fujifilm.

BEST LITTLE PHOTO LAB EVER

Located in Santa Barbara, this old school photo lab processes film, makes prints and all sorts of new school photo products for the artist and photographic community both worldwide. Check out Color Services for any of your photographic needs.

11 Comments

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Instagram

Our Partners

Pin It on Pinterest