Paradise Campground — Hotel in Goleta

There's a whole sign board covered in rules and policies. But not a site map. The sites are numbered but the signs with numbers are small and easy to miss. Backing into my space, I hit a log sticking ~7" out of the ground because it was directly behind my tire and blocked from my mirrors. Why are there random logs sticking out of the ground? No idea. But they're sure here and you will hit them if you don't have someone guiding you since they're directly in the path of your vehicle when you back into the space. I thought they might be there to protect the tables from vehicles hitting them, but the one I hit was just in the middle of my spot and nowhere near the table or anything else. The spigot nearest our site only works if you absolutely smash the top of the handle down, and then it sprays out at a wide angle hosing down your shoes and pants and everything except where you want the water to go. It's clearly been like this awhile because there's a paper sign that says "push handle straight down for water" that looks several years old. Campgrounds are situated right off the road so there's constant noise from cars even in the evening. Bathrooms were very clean when we arrived, but there are only 4 stalls, and the cleanliness didn't last all weekend with a half full campground. Fire pits are burned through on the bottom with large rusted through holes. Squirrels are inevitable anywhere in nature, and these ones are everywhere, but that's just something to be aware of since acorns will be everywhere. Unsure if smoking is allowed or not, but the group next to us decided to chain smoke cigars and cigarettes all weekend. Not really worth the price, especially having to pay an extra $10 a night for a second car despite the two cars taking up less room than...

Paradise Campground for us was a last minute getaway trip with the family with our travel trailer. We had never been and quite honestly only came here because we couldn't find a spot at any other of our first options. But we decided to take what we can get and try something new.

Overall we had a nice two night stay. There isn't much to do at this site but for some thats the point right? We did like that its located close enough to enjoy other nearby places. We took a drive down to Downtown Santa Barbara and had a walk at the pier and then enjoyed lunch at the Santa Barbara Public Market!

Also Paradise Campround is only 8 min away from the famous Cold Springs Tavern tri-tip sandwiches! Of course we went there as well.

Back to Paradise

Site 5 we felt was the best. Offers the most shade. However its a double site so costs more than some of the others. Think site 5 is up to 12 people and 4 vehicles. We enjoyed it all to ourselves.

Hosts were friendly.

Restrooms were clean.

Water available is more for washing hands. No Hose attachments provided.

No utilities for RVs.

Beware of the bees!! The moment we started grilling meat we were surrounded by bees. Grilling became a challenge but we survived. Glad we could hideaway in the rv to enjoy our meal. Otherwise not sure how we would've eaten our food in peace. I got stung by a bee! Good times

Would we go back? Probably not for camping fun. But if we want to enjoy other activities...

So things the website does not tell you.

The entire campground is full of red ants. They are EVERYWHERE!

The lake isn't an actual lake...its a water reserve, you can not swim in it! You can fish and go boating but no body contact with the water is allowed. The lady at the boat counter told my husband they make sure to leave that info out so people still come. There is a swimming hole by the camp but they charge you to use it and it fills up fast.

The camp host does not enforce quiet hours time rules (10-6) While we were there a large group blasted music until about 3am when another camper had to tell them to turn it down.

Luckily I had a good camping group and we made the best of it we could. The beach is close so that's cool but definitely do not plan on going back.

In response to the reply I got from the campground (it's not allowing me to reply)

It might not be part of your camping facility but it is what attracts people to it...and the one advertised next to it. We traveled 3.5 hours to this site so it was a big disappointment to know its not an actual lake. I'm posting this so people do not make the same mistake. We would not have chosen this site if it was not by the lake.

It was paradise...