Refugio to El Capitan State Beach

This hike will start at Refugio only because free parking is a little easier to find. You can do this hike from El Capitan, too, if you want, too. Free parking there is a little further from the beach than at Refugio, and paid parking is only about $3 or so.

Some people say "Re FOO Gee Oh" and others say "Re FOO He oh" and still others, and I can't figure out why on earth, say "Re FOO Fee oh." Is there a second F in there?

This beach hike is nice because it's about 4 or 5 miles long, has a way back along a bike path, has nice tide pools with fat pink starfish to look at, and great secluded and not-so secluded beaches. There is even a snack bar at both ends in case you get hungry or thirsty, plus restrooms, too.

Refugio Beach to El Capitan Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: March 12, 2011, 4:47 pm
by: Luv2Hike

I've hiked it multiple times but down on the beach during minus tides. Beautiful. I did go part way on the bluff top bike path from El Capitan, I didn't notice any trail closures (Jan - March 2011). Last time I was at Refugio it was a minus tide late in the afternoon so I decided to do something different and hike around the point toward Gaviota. It was gorgeous! And that day was one of the best sunsets I've seen, a picture of that is on my webpage at http://www.caopenspace.org/refugio.html
Of any beach hike I've ever done this one rates in my top two favorites.

Posted: July 1, 2010, 1:33 am
by: rallison

katiekatrina wrote:

the bike path is closed

Well, yes and no. Yes, it is technically closed. However, you can still easily hike/bike the whole distance by skirting the two closure fences (as many people do).

 

Posted: March 9, 2009, 12:26 pm
by: katiekatrina

the bike path is closed

 

Posted: August 26, 2005, 6:07 pm
by: Anonymous

The fees at the two parks are now $8.00 for the day (8am-sunset).

 

Posted: March 23, 2005, 8:42 pm
by: Diane

Post your updates here.