Carpinteria Bluffs - Carpinteria

Gallery

Beach Walk Details

• Length : Distance—1 mile from the end of Bailard to the Chevron Oil Pier. You can walk all the way to Carpinteria or head east on the beach to Rincon Point.
• Cautions : It is illegal to walk on the beach from December 1 through May 31 in the area near the Chevron Oil Pier. The closed area is clearly marked.
• Accessibility : Trails are open and accessible; beach access requires walking down a steep trail.
• UseFees : None
• Canine : With the exception of the seal rookery, dogs are allowed at Carp Bluffs or on the beach if on leash.

Access / Parking

Things to Know

As you walk out onto the bluffs, you may come upon one of our are’s most valued treasures: the harbor seal colony, where the seals bear their young, breed and haul out to rest.  Remarkably, this seal colony is only one of two such places along the Southern California coast that is readily accessible to the public.

The harbor seal colony near the Chevron Pier is protected by law and should not be disturbed in any way. This includes making loud noises, conspicuous gestures or approaching past the warning signs. Harbor seals, like all marine mammals, are federally protected.

Disturbing them in any way is a felony, punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and/or one year in jail per count. To further ensure the protection of this seal colony, the City of Carpinteria passed a law which closes the beach from 750 feet to either side of the colony. It is illegal to walk on the beach from December 1 through May 31. Dogs and seals make a bad mix. If you bring yours with you make sure it is on a leash when you are anywhere near the Seal Preserve.

Background

On the Walk