Southern CA Beach Campgrounds

[B_and_D]

It's still cheaper than Seacliff (10 miles from our house). The hookup sites are $65 and the "parking lot" ones (no hookups) are $55. And Seacliff was almost totally booked by the time I checked online yesterday for June (so I booked Big Sur instead).

We like to stay at Carpenteria in January when we head south to the desert, you can usually just drive in and get a site during the week, even an oceanfront one if you're lucky. We've been treated to some beautiful sunsets during our stays there.

We stayed at Refugio one year during the summer solstice (that was a big mistake) it was packed to the gills. Nice area, but way too many people in a small area. I'll bet it's nice during the fall and winter, though.

I've always wanted to stay at Jalama Beach, might try it on our way south this year. I seem to recall that there is another campground nearby, but more inland we could stay at if we can't get in there.

[OneMoBear]

$50 for no hookups is kind of steep but I think you're going to love San Elijo. I don't know if you have a dog but there is a dog beach about four miles further south where the dogs can run free and make new furry friends. We try to go there daily when we are out that way.

Malinda

Originally Posted by joshbw

I made my reservations yesterday for San Elijo in June. I cannot believe that a majority of the campground was booked by 5 minutes after the reservations went on sale. Must be a good place... even though $50 a night is a bit steep for no hook ups.

Cannot wait until June!

Thanks all.

They have hookup sites too!!

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by joshbw

I made my reservations yesterday for San Elijo in June. I cannot believe that a majority of the campground was booked by 5 minutes after the reservations went on sale. Must be a good place... even though $50 a night is a bit steep for no hook ups.

Cannot wait until June!

Thanks all.

What site # did you get?

We are going to San Elijo Apr 24-28, site #37. That's one of our favorite CGs.

Got site #60; it looks pretty good.

I was thinking $50 isn't too bad; a hotel would probably be of $300. Its all relative...

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by joshbw

Got site #60; it looks pretty good.

I was thinking $50 isn't too bad; a hotel would probably be of $300. Its all relative...

Site # 60 is a great site. You will love it unless there is a very high tide.

That campsite is vulnerable to flooding when the high tide is over 6'. From 6.0 to 6.4' flooding may occur if there is a storm anywhere in the Pacific Ocean. June 1 is the start of the hurricane season off of SoMexico. These hurricanes are over 1000 miles away but they can generate a swell that makes for high surf in SoCal. The high surf on top of high tide can cause flooding in those low campsites. When the tide is over 6.4', flooding can occur at the peak of the high tide even without high surf.

June 13-16 there are high tides of over 6' with the highest tide being:
2011-06-14 20:33 PDT 6.66 feet High Tide'. I would not camp in sites 59, 60 or 61 during those dates.

Check the tide table here:
http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/tideshow.cgi
Use "La Jolla, Scripps Pier, California" as the closest tide marker.

Don't get me wrong......the flooding is not "Dangerous" flooding. Like, it won't wash your camper away and probably won't get anything but your jack-stands (and anything on the ground) wet. It's just that, if the surf does get into your site, it will be a muddy mess for a few days.

[T and C]

Originally Posted by harveyrv

Site # 60 is a great site. You will love it unless there is a very high tide.

That campsite is vulnerable to flooding when the high tide is over 6'. From 6.0 to 6.4' flooding may occur if there is a storm anywhere in the Pacific Ocean. June 1 is the start of the hurricane season off of SoMexico. These hurricanes are over 1000 miles away but they can generate a swell that makes for high surf in SoCal. The high surf on top of high tide can cause flooding in those low campsites. When the tide is over 6.4', flooding can occur at the peak of the high tide even without high surf.

June 13-16 there are high tides of over 6' with the highest tide being:
2011-06-14 20:33 PDT 6.66 feet High Tide'. I would not camp in sites 59, 60 or 61 during those dates.

Check the tide table here:
http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/tideshow.cgi
Use "La Jolla, Scripps Pier, California" as the closest tide marker.

Don't get me wrong......the flooding is not "Dangerous" flooding. Like, it won't wash your camper away and probably won't get anything but your jack-stands (and anything on the ground) wet. It's just that, if the surf does get into your site, it will be a muddy mess for a few days.

HarveyRV,

A trailmanor has a whole lot of styrofoam in it. I am sure that they are not watertight...but do you think one might float?

Just curious

Tom

Well I will let you guys know if it floats because that is the weekend I'm going (10th-13th). The ocean really will be at my door steps...

[OneMoBear]

You'll love it!! I'm not doubting Wayne one bit but I grew up about 20 miles away from there and have spent months and months there over the decades . . . I have never seen it do that . . . My kids asked me once where I wanted my ashes spread. With a wink I said, "Space 60".

Malinda

[B_and_D]

Originally Posted by OneMoBear

You'll love it!! I'm not doubting Wayne one bit but I grew up about 20 miles away from there and have spent months and months there over the decades . . . I have never seen it do that . . . My kids asked me once where I wanted my ashes spread. With a wink I said, "Space 60".

Malinda

Seacliff Beach for me, off of the pier!