Hi all,
I was going to meet up with a friend next month and her family to camp. I was hoping to split the drive. She lives in Santa Cruz and we live in San Clemente. It does not have to be beach camping. I was hoping for something private and intimate with hiking. However they surf and we boogie board, and can watch each others kids, so maybe beach camping would be good, but they are notoriously non private sites. I'm open if anyone has suggestions. I'm hoping for a specific recommendation for a park that you have stayed at or know of. thx
Go to Avila ... they have hotspring hot tubs in the rooms, its really pretty and rustic there, close to the beach yet nestled in the woods.
We have been to Montana de Oro on the central coast, and it is lovely. The racoons are completely unafraid and will take all your food while you're sitting right there at the table, though!
If you're open to the Sierra Nevadas, check out Mono Hot Springs. Our family goes there every summer (you do need reservations through the park service, so check on that before you go). It's about 2 hours east of Fresno (the last hour of that drive is at about 10mph up a winding mountain road - be forewarned). It is breathtakingly beautiful, lots of hiking, a nice river with some areas safe for kids to play in. Wildlife, hot springs. Nice place, not crowded.
When I lived in Santa Barbara, quite a while ago, we used to go camping at El Capitan and Refugio. My all time faves, however are Morro Bay and Montana de Oro, further north. We used to hike in the area, take our bikes and drive into San Luis Obispo for some shopping and a restaurant meal. I like the small Natural History Museum at Morro Bay, too. You can even drive from there to Hearst Castle for another activity. But you're right, the beach camps tend to be close, not very private and difficult to get into in the summer. I've also been backpacking in the Los Padres National Forest. You may be able to get a spot in a primitive campground if the beach camps are all full.
what about Pismo Beach? You can drive on the beach and pick your own place?
You can ride the dunes....as well...
http://www.totalescape.com/destin/california-towns.php?ti...
Then there is Slovang - there are camps around there as well....lots to do in Slovanag!!
http://local.yahoo.com/info-att-###-###-####
http://lodging.uptake.com/camping/california/solvang/6150...
What about McGrath state beach in Ventura? I was going to suggest Emma Wood, but I think it might be too busy. I think there's also camping around Rincon, but I could be wrong.
I don't camp but my boss always camps at Pismo Beach. He said it's great and it is pretty central.
Our 'backyard favorites' include:
Cerro Alto campground off Highway 41 (in the mountains). Small campground. Minutes from Morro Bay; husband and son like hiking there (up to Cerro Alto mountain peak).
San Simeon Campground just north of Cambria. Camp is on inland side of Highway 1 but there is an undercrossing to get to the beach.
Morro Bay State Park... large campground with more paved roads, etc. There is a Natural History Museum, golf course, and marina in walking distance. Take a hike up Black Mountain (easy hike) just before sunset on a sunny day (good luck) and see a magnificent 360 view of Estero Bay and the Irish Hills (which aren't green right now; but in March they're spectacular!).
If you're in the area, two of our favorite hikes are San Simeon Headlands near Hearst Castle and Harmony Headlands just north of Cayucos. If you need info, PM me.
FYI -- Avila and Cayucos are better for laying out (south facing/warm); Morro and Pismo have better surfing (west facing/windy).
Wherever you camp on the central coast, beware of the poison oak.
