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Old 10-25-2002, 09:19 PM   #1
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Favorite West Coast Campgrounds

Hey all, let me know where your best kept, most beloved spots are on the West Coast and why do you like them.

I am new to camping so it would be nice to have a wealth of knowledge of where to park the Casita for a great getaway. The mountains, rivers, beaches and lakes. Any nice places?

So far my favorite place is Jalama Beach just south of Lompoc.

Spaces right on the beach or the bluffs with a great view. Some with electric. Off the beaten path so there wasn't any highway noise, just the train that goes past the CG. (A plus when you have a toddler that loves trains.) Clean. Reasonably priced. Convenient CG store and snak shop. Dolphins and sea lions seen from the beach each day that we where there. Only a 3-4 hour drive from our home. (Again, a plus when you have a todddler. ):)

The downside is that it can get real windy. Foggy, too. And you can't make reservations, (group spots off season are the exception,) so it is first come, first serve.

It is my secret place so don't tell anyone.;) Can't wait to go back.



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Old 10-29-2002, 06:53 PM   #2
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More southern Cal beach campgrounds

Last week we camped at Carpinteria State Beach. Backed up, right on a beautiful sandy beach, one of the safest beaches in California according to the camp ranger. Full service, which is unusual for a state campground. Lucked out with extraordinarily beautiful weather, particularly after mid-day when the overcast burned off. Good swimming beach and son surfed.
Rest of the week at San Elijo State Beach, near Cardiff-by-the-Sea on a bluff overlooking great surfing area. Swimming beaches are within walking distance, as is a "dog beach" just north of Del Mar. Equally good is South Carlsbad State Beach, about five miles up the coast from San Elijo. Those beach parks have a few sites with some services. Must reserve way ahead, especially during the summer and weekends in spring and fall.

In the spring, Nancy Wright recommended to us some great camps in the lower coastal redwoods. (South of San Francisco.) We stayed at one of them, but the others looked just as good.

We would have rated all of them with 9's and 10's!

Returned home yesterday to snow--plenty at higher elevations for cross country skiing. How's that for contrast?



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Old 10-29-2002, 07:10 PM   #3
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camping

Christine,

What kind of camping do you, Mike & Michael like? I have 60 years of camping in Southern California.

Your choices...
1. Beaches
2. Deserts
3. Mountains
4. Rivers
5. Lakes
6. State Parks
7. Snow
8. BLM land
9. Redwoods
10. Full Hook-up RV Parks (Disneyland comes to mind)
11. Ghost Towns
12. Sand Dunes

OK, I could go on. What are you looking for? How far can you travel? Are we talking Friday night get away and drive home on Sunday? What kind of activities do you all like to do (fishing, reading, bicycling, hiking, sleeping, etc.)?



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Old 10-29-2002, 08:07 PM   #4
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They all sound good...

Hey Webguy, are you really that Tom Sinestra guidebook guy? Share the knowledge dude!
We don't like the big RV parks,(yuck, phooey), prolly not the sand dunes either and we will save the ghost town camping until Michael gets a little older.
We can drive b/w 4-7 hours for a weekend getaway and a little farther for a week-long vacation getaway. All the rest of the suggestions sound great. Plan to add canoe'g or kayak'g in the future. We like to hike around (as much as you can with a toddler), skip rocks in the lakes, listen to rivers and creeks and play in the sand at the beach. Primitive to full services, if its quiet and pretty I want to know! (Besides, big Mike wants your cool generator set-up or maybe solar...)

I guess my second favorite spot would be Eagle Point State Park at Tahoe. Soo pretty! I wish I had the time to camp in BC, that sounds gorgeous! Yosemite was awesome but we went in the middle of the summer and stayed @ Curry Village and it felt just like Disneyland, herds and herds of people. Moo!



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Old 10-29-2002, 08:16 PM   #5
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Webguy, 60 years?

What, is that combined experience between you and Lori? Surely you aren't sayin' what I think yer sayn'. More like 35 or 40 years, right? ;) Always be nice to the webguy! And don't threaten George, he is the oldest.

Thanks George, we stayed in overflow at Carpenteria, then spent the day at Rufugio. Both nice. The San Diego state parks seemed to be a good idea but we did a quick walk thru on the way home one day...dog poo everywhere. Gross!



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Old 10-29-2002, 08:20 PM   #6
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Quote:
Orginally posted by Christine Gnesda
(Besides, big Mike wants your cool generator set-up or maybe solar...)
Morgan has Solar and camps with no hook ups. It totally intrigues me.

:u I can't figure out how to make the numbers work with my propensity to use energy gobbling appliances like a satellite color TV, electric heater, air conditioner, coffee maker and microwave.



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Old 10-29-2002, 08:23 PM   #7
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Quote:
Orginally posted by Christine Gnesda

What, is that combined experience between you and Lori? Surely you aren't sayin' what I think yer sayn'. More like 35 or 40 years, right? ;) Always be nice to the webguy! And don't threaten George, he is the oldest.

Thanks George, we stayed in overflow at Carpenteria, then spent the day at Rufugio. Both nice. The San Diego state parks seemed to be a good idea but we did a quick walk thru on the way home one day...dog poo everywhere. Gross!
In two months I will be 60. OK, I exagerated a little. My dad is an Eagle Scout and as part of his family we have camped my whole life. 60 years seemed easier then 59 10/12ths.



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Old 10-29-2002, 08:41 PM   #8
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A child.

You must have married Lori when she was a child! You rascal. You look great for 59 3/4!

My only experience camping was taking an ice chest and a box of crackers to the Hotel. Go figure. Now I love camping!

Snow? I wish! I think I'm too much of a sissy girl. I need to post about the draft I feel sleeping under the window. Might as well be Everest. If I'm cold everyone suffers hearing my whinning. Not a good thing.:o I'd like to go to the Sequoia's or Kings off season but fear I'd freeze to death.

So where to camp, favorites?



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Old 10-29-2002, 08:44 PM   #9
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Camping 101

<strike>Write this down, it is my best kept secret. (next to the Orange County private lake I can't remember the name of).

5 hours from Orange, CA

Drive up US 395 to Big Pine. Drive past 5 miles to Collins Road. Turn right and drive to the end, which is at the Owens River. I like to turn left at the river and drive along the river until I fine a secluded spot along the river.

There are some Oxbows that yield good German Brown Trout and Rainbows. I've also caught some nice Bass during the summer. This is BLM land and has range cattle from time to time. You will also feel like you are in a Walt Disney movie. There is a lot of wild life like Coyotes, Dear, Beaver, etc. there.

One Thanksgiving 4 day weekend we had an inch or two of snow. Usually it is cold and clear this time of year, about 60 during the days. This is a good time of year to go to Keough Hot Springs (free). </strike>

Update Sept. 2006: FGRV member John Perry reports the entire river is now closed to camping.



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Old 10-29-2002, 09:01 PM   #10
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Camping 101-B

Last weekend we went to San Antonio Lake. We (my two sons and their families) were the only ones in the camp site. We were on the North Shore, full hook-ups. $20 per night. There were only about 5 boats on the lake. 70 degrees during the day and mid 30s at night.

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3dbf4b87dfe4bSanAtonioLake.jpg/>



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Old 10-29-2002, 09:12 PM   #11
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San Antonio Lake

:wave

Our old boat still runs good...
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3dbf4da5e323eBoatLaunch.jpg/>

Our Campfire in a wash tub. Kids and the grand kids with Grandma and Granddad...
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3dbf4db96e6cfCampFire.jpg/>



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Old 10-29-2002, 11:56 PM   #12
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More photos

:wave Nothing but glass all weekend...

Grand Kids (Granddad drives the boat, they ride in the tube)
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3dbf73732b0dfGrandKids.jpg/>

Andy on his new wake board (big guy - 6’ 2”, 250 lbs.)
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3dbf7357ed951Andy.jpg/>

Eric, Skied for a living until a few months ago. (sold Mastercraft ski boats)
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3dbf7341299feEric.jpg/>



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Old 10-30-2002, 12:00 AM   #13
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Favorite camping spots...

on the west coast? Well this is a tricky question - the easy answer for me is anywhere that is quiet.

But in general and for the type of camping you mean?

In Canada: any British Columbia Provincial Campground - well almost all of them. - and only 8 bucks a night right now! :)

(That is dollars! - not deer, :o * ya I saw that post!*)

In the US of A?: OREGON. stunning. (Cape Blanco! Harris and Beverly Beach, Florence Area for the dunes, and others, etc.)


(well, it is tough - we need more specific questions.)



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Old 10-30-2002, 12:09 AM   #14
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Quote:
Orginally posted by Michael Sanders

This is a good time of year to go to Keough Hot Springs (free).
Okay, now your talking! Sounds good to me but alas, there will be no Casita trips until December or worse, Jan.:o

I have been to San Antonio but it looks prettier in the fall? It was party hardy when I was there many years ago. Nice family! Thanks for the scoop, webguy. Keep scratchin the noggin for the Cleveland NF campground. It can't be Irvine Lake.



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Old 10-30-2002, 12:14 AM   #15
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Quote:
Orginally posted by Christine Gnesda
I have been to San Antonio but it looks prettier in the fall? It was party hardy when I was there many years ago.
:o That is why we go in the fall.



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Old 10-30-2002, 12:17 AM   #16
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Camping student questions

Quote:
Orginally posted by Rick

on the west coast? Well this is a tricky question - the easy answer for me is anywhere that is quiet.

In the US of A?: OREGON. stunning. (Cape Blanco! Harris and Beverly Beach, Florence Area for the dunes, and others, etc.)


(well, it is tough - we need more specific questions.)
Me too, I like the quiet but I am not used to it, I might actually get spooked. I am very new to camping (just purchased 98 Casita this July). I know I don't like the big RV sardine like CG's. Otherwise, I dunno I think I need to experience all the different settings...that is why I need help from you pros. Harris, hopefully, will be next years vacation spot. Thanks Rick. BTW, we tow with a 2002 SLT Durango.

I'll keep looking for more suggestions.:E :E



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Old 10-30-2002, 12:22 AM   #17
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River, Lake, Beach

:wave OK, for the beach this time of year.

February is a Great month to go to Pismo Beach State Park. Here you are camped in the coastal pines and back up to a little lake. It has a short hike to the ocean. Kite flying is very popular, the acrobatic type.

The camp ground is along the Oceano Lagoon. Lots of wild life there. Bird watching and the Monarch Butterfly winter nesting grounds. Surf fishing at the beach. Commercial surf fishermen catch up to 75 lbs of Perch a day in these waters. Blue Gill & Bass fishing in the lagoon. I like canoeing in the lagoon.



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Old 10-30-2002, 12:23 AM   #18
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Christine

I saw your *D* in the RIGS posting. :E :E

I love my Durango! I tow my 21.5 foot Bigfoot with my 98 SLT PLUS!


Let us know specifically where you want to go - lots of help here! :)



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Old 10-30-2002, 12:27 AM   #19
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Oregon

Almost any were in Oregon, so many great places.
Rick knows,Cape Blanco! Harris and Beverly Beach, Florence Area
we will be going to the oregon coast on monday for the week,
going to a place north of Florence that has a campground with ocean view and hookups. Going to Mo's for clam chowder and
home made bread . So glad we live in Oregon.:cblob



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Old 10-30-2002, 12:29 AM   #20
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Chowder

It's been a while but I do remember the chowder in Newport - excellent!


Go Oregon Go! :laugh :laugh



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