State Parks Near Santa Maria, California
15 state park units lie within 50 miles of Santa Maria. The closest is Point Sal State Beach, about 12 mi west of town. 4 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Point Sal State Beach12 mi west
- Within 25 miles
- 4of 15 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 7parks list campsites
- Dog-friendly
- 12pets allowed
State parks near Santa Maria, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Santa Maria; driving distance is usually longer.
Point Sal State Beach
Popular activities here are fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Point Sal State Beach →Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area
Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, surfing, off-highway vehicle riding, horseback riding, and historic sites. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area →Pismo State Beach
Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, surfing, horseback riding, historic sites, and swimming. On the water side, there is a swimming beach. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Pismo State Beach →La Purísima Mission State Historic Park
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, ranger programs, wildlife watching, and geocaching.
Hours, fees and rules for La Purísima Mission State Historic Park →Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
Things to do include hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve →Gaviota State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, surfing, horseback riding, boating, and swimming. Water access includes a swimming beach. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites, tent sites, and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Gaviota State Park →Montaña de Oro State Park
Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, surfing, horseback riding, historic sites, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites, tent sites, and equestrian camping).
Hours, fees and rules for Montaña de Oro State Park →Morro Bay State Park
Things to do include surfing, historic sites, boating, fishing, and ranger programs. Water access includes a boat ramp and boat or kayak rentals. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Morro Bay State Park →Refugio State Beach
Things to do include surfing, boating, swimming, fishing, and geocaching. Water access includes a swimming beach. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Refugio State Beach →Morro Strand State Beach
Visitors come for surfing, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, and picnicking. Water access includes a swimming beach. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites, tent sites, and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Morro Strand State Beach →El Capitán State Beach
The park supports snorkeling and diving, surfing, historic sites, boating, and swimming. Water access includes a swimming beach. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for El Capitán State Beach →Cayucos State Beach
Things to do include surfing, boating, swimming, fishing, and picnicking. Water access includes a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Cayucos State Beach →Estero Bluffs State Park
The park supports surfing, boating, fishing, and hiking. Water access includes a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Estero Bluffs State Park →Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park
Visitors come for historic sites and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park →Harmony Headlands State Park
Visitors come for fishing and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Harmony Headlands State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Santa Maria
- Pismo State Beach 16 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Gaviota State Park 34 mi south · Campground listed
- Montaña de Oro State Park 35 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Morro Bay State Park 36 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Refugio State Beach 39 mi southeast · Campground listed
+ 2 more in the list above
Dog-friendly state parks near Santa Maria
- Point Sal State Beach 12 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area 15 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Pismo State Beach 16 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- La Purísima Mission State Historic Park 18 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
- Gaviota State Park 34 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 7 more in the list above
Swimming near Santa Maria
- Point Sal State Beach 12 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area 15 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Pismo State Beach 16 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Gaviota State Park 34 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- Montaña de Oro State Park 35 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 5 more in the list above
Hiking near Santa Maria
- Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area 15 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Pismo State Beach 16 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- La Purísima Mission State Historic Park 18 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve 33 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Gaviota State Park 34 mi south · Hiking trails listed
+ 7 more in the list above
Fishing near Santa Maria
- Point Sal State Beach 12 mi west · Fishing listed
- Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area 15 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Pismo State Beach 16 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Gaviota State Park 34 mi south · Fishing listed
- Montaña de Oro State Park 35 mi northwest · Fishing listed
+ 7 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Santa Maria
What is the closest state park to Santa Maria?
Point Sal State Beach is the closest, about 12 miles west of Santa Maria in a straight line. Next are Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area and Pismo State Beach.
How many state parks are near Santa Maria?
15 state park units are within 50 miles, and 4 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Santa Maria have camping?
7 parks list camping, the nearest being Pismo State Beach, Gaviota State Park and Montaña de Oro State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Santa Maria?
Yes, at 12 parks, including Point Sal State Beach, Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area and Pismo State Beach. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Santa Maria?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Lompoc, CA19 mi south
- Near San Luis Obispo, CA26 mi northwest
- Near El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles), CA49 mi north
- Near Santa Barbara, CA55 mi southeast
- Near Bakersfield, CA85 mi east
- Near Oxnard, CA87 mi southeast
Or see all California state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.