Expert: Steve Summers - 3/17/2008

Question
Hi Steve,
I think I have already read a post where you say how much you love Carpinteria but I still have a question.  I have reservations in June at Carpinteria in the santa cruz section space C046 and at Leo Carillo where you can't request a camping space.  We are going to try camping with our kids, 11,6, and 3 and we want to camp really close to the beach so we don't have to walk far. I have heard that Leo Carrillo is not as crowded as Carpinteria but that it is farther to walk to the beach. It looks like they really pack them in at Carpinteria, is the Santa Cruz loop nice? I need to cancel one reservation, what is your advice to choose between the two?  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Taryn,

Up until now, it's been a rough day. It's been very stressful here at work, and we've had a lot of issues. After all that, it's nice to get an easy question.

There's really no contest here. Leo Carillo campsites are not even on the west/south side of PCH. You have to hike under or across the highway to get there. And the beach is full of boulders. As Forrest Gump would say, "That's all I've got to say about that".

Carpinteria is THE most kid-friendly campground I've seen. You MUST bring the bikes, even if you have to rent a trailer. The place is overrun with kids on bikes and scooters, especially right around dinner time. When we arrive at Carp, I set up the RV and send my daughter out on her bike to find a friend, which usually takes about 5 minutes (she's the youngest of 4, but the others are much too 'cool' to go camping with us).

You want to camp REALLY close to the beach? C46 is only about 20 steps from the sand. At night, it should be NO problem gettting to sleep, since you will be able to hear the crashing of the waves, and the chirping of crickets and frogs in the creek. C46 is really a very nice site, due to its proximity to the beach. Yes, it gets crowded at Carpinteria sometimes, but you don't mind too much. Being that close to the waves makes up for a LOT, and most of the people I've met at Carp are all there for the same things. We've met a LOT of nice people there, and keep in touch.

The town of Carpinteria is also great for exploring. There's a cute little surf shop, an old fashioned candy store (the kids LOVE that), a Foster's Freeze, a steakhouse where you cook your own steak (the Palms), and a Mexican food place with great machaca (Cabo's). The best part is that you can just walk or bike right into town, and explore it at your own pace.

The beach of Carpinteria is "The World's Safest Beach". AND it has EXCELLENT tidepools down towards the San Miguel section.

So, I would cancel the Leo Carillo reservation and plan on having the best beach camping trip EVER.

Have fun,

Steve