Filming — Channel Coast District

Thank you for considering California State Parks for your filming location. Filming on California State Parks land requires a film/photography permit. We recommend contacting the park in advance to understand the requirements for your chosen location. The filming coordinator can also assist you in finding the best location for your film/photography shoot. To obtain a permit, please contact the Special Events/Film Coordinator for your location listed below and submit an application to the California Film Commission. There is no cost associated with submitting an application to the California Film Commission. However, applications must be received at least one week in advance of your film/photography shoot date.

SITE MONITORS

Some film/photography shoots require a monitor depending on activities, equipment, and location. Please provide as much advance notice as possible to ensure that the Film Coordinator can find appropriate site monitors for your shoot.

DRONES

Drone guidelines are defined on the California Film Commission website. At this time, State Parks is reviewing requests for filming with a drone on a case-by-case basis. 

Twelve miles south of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria State Beach offers an iconic, diverse shoreline, featuring white sand and rock outcroppings. Adjacent to the park, the City of Carpinteria offers a wide range of restaurants, breweries, and entertainment while still maintaining a small town feel. As the focal point of this quaint coastal community, the park provides excellent recreation options (swimming, surf fishing, tidepool exploring and camping) and continues to represent the natural resources once utilized by its Native American ancestors. This length of coastline offers both coastal dunes and natural bluff formations. The park also has plentiful parking and grassy open spaces.

To obtain a permit, please contact Carp.SpecialEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 746-7095 and submit an application to the California Film Commission. 

El Capitán State Beach offers the best of the Gaviota Coast's natural beauty in one park. Dramatic oceanside cliffs give way to remote expanses of beach below, complemented by the pleasant open meadows and rustic trails throughout. With plentiful parking and easy access to its sister parks along 101, El Capitán State Beach is ideal for productions of all sizes.

To obtain a permit, please contact SB.SpecialEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 968-1711 and submit an application to the California Film Commission. 

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park is operated by the Santa Barabara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP).

Please visit the SBTHP webpage for information on filming and property rental and submit an application to the California Film Commission.

Emma Wood State Beach hosts two separate park areas for camping, recreation, special events and filming: Emma Wood North Beach and Ventura River Group Camp. Moderate temperatures and a long sweeping beach make Emma Wood State Beach popular for swimming, surfing, fishing, and traditional beach recreation.

On the downcoast end of the iconic Rincon Parkway, North Beach provides a long, beautiful stretch of sand that is popular for all ocean activities. The beachfront campground runs along the historic Roosevelt Highway, offering unparalleled ocean views but no permanent amenities. 

At the Ventura River mouth is Ventura River Group Camp, which provides 5 group campsites, day use parking, beach access, and natural area with trails. The offshore Channel Islands can be seen from the beach. The large open, coastal space provides an excellent staging area for large events or sites can be combined for a unique group camping experience or film shoot staging. Group campsites will be available year-round by online reservations beginning January 2023.

Omer Rains Coastal Bike Trail

Emma Wood State Beach is located along the Omer Rains Coastal Bike Trail, which runs from San Buenaventura State Beach to west of Emma Wood State Beach.

To obtain a permit, please contact Ventura.SpecialEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 746-7095 and submit an application to the California Film Commission. 

Nestled along Highway 101 on the Gaviota Coast, Gaviota State Park offers rustic beauty in a breathtaking beach setting. With its iconic train trestle and pier, this secluded and intimate ocean setting is perfect for small to medium productions. Plentiful backcountry trails offer one-of-a-kind vistas while the adjacent Las Cruces Road and its meandering, hilly slopes provides ample opportunity for a scenic drive through seldom seen territory.

To obtain a permit, please contact SB.SpecialEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 968-1711 and submit an application to the California Film Commission. 

La Purisima Mission State Historic Park is located in Santa Barbara County just outside of the Lompoc Valley. It offers a unique setting surrounded by historic buildings and is tucked within a small canyon, La Cañada de los Berros. This location features mission venues such as the Church, Padre’s Chapel, and Gardens, as well as open space with numerous trails and oak-studded landscape.

To obtain a permit, please contact LPM.SpecialEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 733-3713 and submit an application to the California Film Commission.

Mandalay State Beach is an undeveloped park featuring sandy beach, coastal dunes, and wetland environments. While this park offers no facilities, the natural beach provides a sense of solitude adjacent to the developed beach area in the coastal community of Oxnard. Adjacent 5th Street offers easy park access, parking, and staging areas. The remote atmosphere of the wide beaches and adjoining coastal dunescape are sought-after features in this state park.

To obtain a permit, please contact Ventura.SpecialEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 746-7095 and submit an application to the California Film Commission.

McGrath State Beach is one of the best bird-watching areas in California, with the lush riverbanks of the Santa Clara River and sand dunes along the shore. Two miles of beach provide surfing and fishing opportunities, however, swimmers are urged to use caution because of strong currents and riptides. This park was once a bustling family campground by the beach. However, years of significant flooding have caused infrastructure failure and closure of campground and day use facilities. Filming is considered on a case-by-case basis; all access to the park facilities is closed to the public.

To obtain a permit, please contact Ventura.SpecialEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 746-7095 and submit an application to the California Film Commission.

Point Sal State Beach is located in the northwestern part of Santa Barbara County, near the city of Guadalupe. The park consists of approximately 80 acres and includes just over 1.5 miles of beach and rocky shoreline. Lands above the shoreline have extremely steep slopes, and numerous landslides are evident. This remote park has limited access and mostly rugged terrain. Filming in this location would require permits from multiple agencies including Vandenberg Space Force Base.

To obtain a permit, please contact LPM.SpecialEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 733-3713 and submit an application to the California Film Commission.

Refugio State Beach is a picturesque paradise along the Gaviota Coast with breathtaking sunsets and a tropical island feel. This park offers an iconic beach cove, historic bungalows and palm trees, and open space for film staging. 

To obtain a permit, please contact SB.SpecialEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 968-1711 and submit an application to the California Film Commission. 

San Buenaventura State Beach in Ventura features a (quantify length of beach) wide sandy beach interspersed with cobble and a festival-sized grassy lawn and picnic area. The upcoast end features a pier and the adjacent Ventura City Promenade. The park features longshore views of coastal dunes and riparian areas and is home to a classic California coastal bike trail. Lifeguard headquarters sits prominently along the shoreline. There is abundant parking throughout the park for film staging.

To obtain a permit, please contact Ventura.SpecialEvents@parks.ca.gov or call (805) 746-7095 and submit an application to the California Film Commission.