Expert: Steve Summers - 3/18/2008

Question
I saw and appreciated your recommendation of San Clmente as a group site that can be reserved.  We are a "small group" of about 35 from The Grove Community Church in Riverside, CA.  We are looking for a group site near the beach (Doheny, Newport, San Clemente???) with fire pits and restroom facilities.  However, there are those in our group who are not "campers". They would like to join us in the evening around the fire but would choose nearby hotel/motel accomodations otherwise.  It does not have to be at the beach...it could be around Julian or Ortega Oaks???  Am I asking too much in hoping for an "inspirational setting", whether mountains or beach??? (Some of these group settings feel like concrete parking lots or vast empty fields).
Your help appreciated!!!
Kathy

Answer
Hi Kathy,

I've found that you find inspiration wherever God reveals Himself, whether in a parking lot or on top of a mountain. It doesn't matter too much, but it always helps to have a change of scenerty, something to take people out of familiar, comfortable surroundings, and get them to focus on the Lord, even for a day or two.

My family and the members of our church have always liked the beach. If nothing else, you have the calming and awesome sound of waves crashing on the sand, and the smell of salt air.

With that said, I know of a number of group sites. As you mentioned, San Clemente has a group campsite. However, Doheny does not. Newport Dunes, a private campground, can be reserved for groups, but the cost may be prohibitively expensive.

In the mountains, you have Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. I'm not totally enamored of the area, since it is below the level of the pine forests, but it's not a bad place overall. In the summer, they only allow charcoal fires due to brush fire danger, which can be a big bummer.

The sites I really prefer are further up the coast: Carpinteria and El Capitan State Beaches. Both have WONDERFUL group sites, but it's quite a drive from Riverside. It's 111 miles from my home in North Orange County, and we got a few complaints about the drive from some folks. Unfortunately, we live in SoCal, which is rather limited in lush areas for group camping.

In the inland areas, you have Palomar Mountain State Park, and Cuyamaca State Park. I understand that Palomar Mountain State Park was damaged in last fall's wildfires, and will not open until April 1 2008, so be aware. The nice part about state parks is that they have flush toilets and showers.

Another option is Christian Camps. We've had good luck at Thousand Pines, near Crestline. They have a great staff, and we really felt the staff served us with open hearts. Since we had a small budget, it was good for us. Another place we have enjoyed is Oak Glen Christian Conference Center, in Oak Glen.

Good luck!