Watch passing gulls and terns from the elevated bluff. Look into the water just offshore for scoters, grebes, loons. Some shorebirds will be present along the exposed beaches during low tide. Also, check the rocky outcroppings.

Gulls, pelicans, cormorants, scoters and other seabirds.

Aniso Trail is a wide 3.0 mile bike path (one way) between Refugio State Beach and El Capitan State Beach. The trail runs along the coastal bluff between these two State Beach campgrounds. This paved trail provides scenic views of the Pacific Ocean looking south across the Santa Barbara Channel to the Channel Islands.

A portion of the 3-mile Aniso Trail (part of the California Coastal Trail) between Refugio and El Capitan State Beaches has been closed due to storm damage. A washed-out section in the middle is marked as closed/under construction and should be avoided. Access to the trail at either end is through Refugio State Beach to the west, or El Capitan State Beach to the east.