The last of the main beaches to close in Santa Barbara following an oil spill off its coast on May 19, 2015, as reopened, allowing beachgoers access to the largest beaches in the area.
California State Parks completed a site assessment and deemed El Capitan State Beach and Refugio State Beach, which reopened last weekend, safe for the public. All recreational activities, including swimming and fishing, can resume. Las Flores and Venedito Beaches, which are only accessible during low tide, are still undergoing cleanup.
The oil spill affected only 4 miles of Santa Barbara’s 100-mile coastline, with the majority of beach closures taking place 20 miles north of Santa Barbara.
–Lissa Poirot
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