CA- Rte. 1 Road Trip - Camping b/w SF & LA??

[leaveftprints]

I just found this website and find it most helpful!

My husband and I are planning a trip consisting of:

Flying from NY to Oakland and renting van to drive -->SF --> San Diego --> Grand Canyon --> Vegas

We're looking for a place to camp (preferrably in our van) between SF and SD. I've heard Cayucos, Pismo Beach, San Simeon mentioned, but need camping, not a hotel.

Also, if you can suggest anyplace to camp in or near the Grand Canyon South Rim, I'd appreciate it.

Thank you in advance!
~Heather

[Mark Sedenquist]

My husband and I are planning a trip

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! What kind of van are you planning on renting? Is this a self-contained class B RV or a cargo van or???

We're looking for a place to camp (preferrably in our van) between SF and SD. I've heard Cayucos, Pismo Beach, San Simeon mentioned, but need camping, not a hotel.

There are campgrounds all all the coast -- some right above the high surf line and many within 10-15 miles of the shore. Here are a couple of posts about this subject.

Also, if you can suggest anyplace to camp in or near the Grand Canyon South Rim, I'd appreciate it.

And here is a great post with tips for camping near the south rim.

Happy Planning!

Mark

[leaveftprints]

We'll be renting a regular caravan so we can sleep in the back.
Thanks for the links, I will check them out for more info.
~Heather

[roadie]

Off the top of my head, I can think of
Morro Bay State Park, Jalama County Beach near Lompoc,
Gaviota State Park, Refugio State Beach, and El Capitan State Beach.
Gaviota, Refugio and El Capitan are about 30 minutes north
of Santa Barbara.

Further south, closer to San Diego, you have San Clemente State Beach
and San Onofre State Beach.

It's probably advisable to make reservations prior to your trip.

Here's a picture from Refugio.

[Mark Sedenquist]

We'll be renting a regular caravan so we can sleep in the back.

Caravan is a relatively unknown entity here in the states -- is this something similar to a Dodge Caravan? If so, do you know whether or not you really can fit in the back for sleeping?

Another point to consider, most campgrounds may not recognize a mini-van (caravan?) as a legitimate camper and you may have some difficulty using it as a camper. State Parks tend to be a lot less restrictive with respect to the vehicle.

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

We'll be renting a regular caravan so we can sleep in the back.

Heather, it occurs to me that your caravan might be the same thing as is being discussed in another thread about sleeper vans. You might wish to look at this other thread too.

Mark

[leaveftprints]

Heather, it occurs to me that your caravan might be the same thing as is being discussed in another thread about sleeper vans. You might wish to look at this other thread too.

Mark

We're getting a Dodge Caravan (or similar)...we already have one at home and have slept in the back before, no problem.

Thank you for your suggestions...I'll look further into the camping ideas and we'll be sure to book one of them. I think I'll make a few phone calls and see if just a Caravan is OK in a spot.

Thanks again-
Heather

[quilty]

I live in Pismo and I can tell you there's no shortage of camping/rv sites (if that's what a caravan is?).
I don't know when your trip is planned for, but if it's late-june/july you may want to make a reservation- we get infiltrated with tourists and I know those places are packed.
Cayucus is my favorite town on the central coast, followed by Morro Bay- but I like them for their outofthewayishness. Pismo is still close to San Luis Obispo and of course it has the best beach.
Ooh! I just remembered the campground that's right between the Butterfly Grove and the beach; you just walk right through the dunes or the trail through the eucalypti and you're on the beach. campground to beach- like that. http://www.reserveamerica.com/jsp/co.../newindex.html
I think this is it (be sure you go for 'north beach')
now I see why everybody comes here! describing it reminds me I haven't been down there in a while, I'll have to go for a walk in the morning!

Off the top of my head, I can think of
...
Gaviota, Refugio and El Capitan are about 30 minutes north
of Santa Barbara.
...
Here's a picture from Refugio.

I pass by Refugio on my way to Santa Barbara all the time- it's positively gorgeous! If you're from ny leaveprints you may not know Refugio is Refuge in Spanish- an apt name- and the perfect place to camp if you plan on spending time in santa barbara (which is a must!).

[Mark Sedenquist]

Cayucus is my favorite town on the central coast,

Yep, I have been known to tip a few at the old way station there in Cayucus over the years. A very nice place to unwind and Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum -- always nice to get local intel!

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

Here's a picture from Refugio.

Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Mark