camping or sleeping on the beach- california
Hi,
I really wana thank u all for this precious site and forum..
I've learned a lot of things in road trips in the US,,
I am new student here in San diego, California, and I want to take advantage of the spring break by discovring california.
I am planning for a road trip from San Diego to San Fransisco, using the 1 coast way,,
I will camp for some days and go to motells for other days,,
speaking of camping, I really want to stay on the beach infront of the sea. along the 1 coast way, Can I sleep in some beaches , I expect to find areas with no-people, or is it a must to find a camping site, and are there ones infront of the sea directly...?
Thank you very much for your help,,
:)
Camping on the beach in CA
Hmm.. Most of the places I've camped, you don't camp right on the beach, but maybe 50-100 yards back from the beach. The reason for this is to keep folks from having their tents wash away as the tide and surf come up in the night, and to keep the trash down on the beach from the campers.
Some good beach camping spots might include
- San Onofre (you're up on the bluff, maybe 100 yards from the beach)
- Huntington Beach State Beach/ Bolsa Chica State Beach (This is primary RV camping it looks like)
- Jalama Beach up near Lompoc.
- Refugio State Beach
- San Simeon State Beach (you're across coast 1 from the beach)
I've camped at a couple of others -- including up north of SF, and its about the same
There are also good camping sites on Catalina Island, but other than the Campground at Two Harbors, they may be a bit difficult to get to. There are two other good campsites which are not really heavily used other than in the summer, but you may have to backpack in 4-5 miles to get into them. The campground at Two Harbors is pretty nice, and sites 1-4 are right on the bluff overlooking the beach.
As for camping by yourself? There are very few of these places left -- part of this is for anywhere close to civilization, the California Coastal Commission tries to keep the impact of people on the beach down, so its typically an organized campground. There are a couple of places up in the Big Sur area where you hike down to the beach and camp without too many people (and without violating state park or private property regulations). And I've heard of a few other spots.. but they're a long walk from anywhere and semi-legal to use.
Could have earned you a trip to the slammer
Quote:
Originally Posted by
scott5678
I am not sure if it was technically allowed or not, but a few years back I spent the night on a beach north of San Diego. If I recall correctly, it was a state beach and a few of my friends and I slept on fold out lounge chairs and mexican blankets right out on the beach.
I have done that too -- there is nothing quite like being awakened by cold water from the incoming tide. These days, the park rangers frown on that behavior and there is always the chance that you could be arrested for loitering. Technically I was a registered camper (in the campground) but sleeping out on the beach is probably not the wisest course of action.
Mark
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Camping "on the beach" at Catalina..
Actually, there are several places to camp on, or right next to the beach at Catalina Island.
First of all there are 9 different 'boat in" camping areas right on the beaches around Avalon with about 18 different campsites. Not very big locations, and 1 or 2 or 3 camp sites per location. These are regulated by the Catalina Island Conservancy, and can be reserved. But the problem with these is the only access to them is via boat, and they are pretty primitive.
Then there is Two Harbors Campground at 2 Harbors. This is a pretty nice location, and is also operated through the Catalina Island Conservancy. The campground goes up a hillside starting from the beach, not far from the dock at 2 Harbors. Its a developed campground with fire rings and with fresh water rinse showers. If you want a hot shower you can walk the half mile or so back into the village at Two Harbors and use the boater's pay shower near the general store and restaurant. Sites 1-4 are along a bluff right next to the beach, which is about as close as you can get without having risk of getting wet as the tide comes in.
Besides Two Harbor's there's Parson's Landing campground about 7 miles from 2 Harbors near the West end of Catalina. Also operated by the Catalina Island Conservancy you can reserve spots here, but its either a long hike from 2 Harbors (fortunately the road/ trail to here is pretty flat), or you have to kayak or boat in -- usually from 2 Harbors. Its' pretty nice, although somewhat primitive. There's no running water, but you get a couple of gallons of water and a bundle of firewood in an locker at each campsite and a bundle of firewood with your per night camping fees. Sometimes the rangers take pity on hikers heading too and from the campground and will give you a ride on their truck -- but you can't plan on it.
There's also Ben Weston beach on the west side of the island, where you can also camp right along the beach -- but the road to this campground has been washed out for some time, and offically you're not supposed to camp here. It's supposed to be open this summer -- although to get to it you have to hike in a couple of miles down from the main Island road on a steep trail (you can get to the trailhead via the Catalina Island bus).
Little Harbor is also on the west side of the Island, and operated by the Catalina Island Conservancy. It's also right along the beach, and the Catalina Island bus will drop people off there, or you can hike the 7 miles from 2 Harbors (or 16 from Avalon) up and over the spine of the Island to get there. There is running water and cold water rinse showers at the campground.
There are a couple of other areas which people sometimes camp at, or there have been campground in the past, as well as the organized private campgrounds around the Island. At some time or another I've been to Whites Landing to camp, Cherry Valley and Emerald Bay -- all which have private campgrounds on the beach. I've heard the campground at Shark Harbor on the west side may be opening up at some point, but I haven't seen any plans for this.
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum...site small.jpg
Here's a picture from when I camped at 2 Harbors about 2 years ago.
done it a couple of times
I have not slept on beaches, but I have, in parking lots(24 hrs Walgreens or Walmart) in some towns. I often check with the employees before doing so. Most of the times, they are helpful.
Unfortunately hwy1 does not have any rest areas. Else, it could be a good option.
Judge if it is safe & legal before you do anything.
And yeah, San Diego/ LA beaches might be comparitively warmer than the central coast beaches. I really doubt if it is wise to sleep in the open.
Have a safe trip,
cool
