Michael,

As some have said "stealth camping" often needs to be exercised, and SB
is no exception. There are some decent places to camp here, though they
are not necessarily close to downtown, or in the city limit. In most
cases you need to go up the coast above SB  and or below or into the Los
Padres Nat Forrest, though much of this I am told is closed due to fire
dangers etc.. Yes the city has attempted via regulations to keep people
from living in their vehicles and many of the city beach lots have signs
posted that prohibit  * i believe 22' or longer vehicles, and most of
them do not allow parking in the early hours of the morning.

If your option is to try to camp near downtown on the waterfront I would
dissuade you, and say come up on the train. If not look into some of the
Beach parks up the coast (20-30 min above SB), El Capitan and Refugio
state park to speak of.

Hope this helps      -john

Michael Elliott wrote:
> Mrs Squirrel and I are talking about taking our bicycles to Santa Barbara
> (CA) this coming weekend for a mini-holiday. Her sister has a house there
> and is out of town. Plan A is to take our bikes on the Amtrak and stay at
> her sister's house. Plan B is to drive up in our Westy (about a four hour
> drive) and camp someplace pretty. Though I was born in Santa Barbara and
> have visited many many times, I have no idea what the (legal) camping
> options are near downtown. Anyone have a suggestion?
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
> KG6RCR