Expert: Steve Summers - 7/14/2006

Question
Hi Steve~

I read one of your reponses to beach camping. I found it to be thorough and easy to read which makes me feel comfortable asking you these two questions...

#1
My family lives between Monterey Park, Moreno Valley, Clairemont, South Corona, and points in between. We want to do a Family Beach Day, an all day affair with the fire pit at night. We all have kids, 6-12 years old and a few dogs. Some suggested Long Beach, but that is so far for the Inland dwellers. Huntington Beach is easier to get to and a lot closer, but mom complains about the large waves (for kids) and crowded beaches. I am trying to find a happy medium, but I don't know which beaches have fire pits. Orange County would be great for me, but it's far for sis in Monterey Park, even though she is willing.

Do you have any ideas for us? A place for the dogs would be great, but we understand very few beaches allow them. Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated. We are looking at August 5th for the date.

#2
We attempt a family camping trip every summer and the last 3 have been at Yosemite. It's great, but crowded and far. I didn't feel like fighting the reservation system this year so I didn't plan it, but they are all bugging me about the next location. But they are also complaining about driving too far. My hesitation on picking a place is that I have no idea if there is enough shade, too much dirt, too crowded, the extent of water activities, hiking trails, etc.?  

River camping is ideal. Showers are not necessary, but shade is. We like to rough it, but my aunt likes hook-ups for her pop up trailer. And we love to take our dogs. At this point in the summer, we can only do a 3-4 day trip. Given your stated expertise, what would you recommend that is within 2-3 hr drive from the LA area? HELP! :o)

I look forward to hearing your response.

Thank you,
Elaine Neel

Answer
Hi Elaine,

#1
I think I might have an answer for you, and it's easier than you might think. Bolsa Chica State Beach is just a couple miles north of Huntington on PCH, but doesn't get the crowds that you get in HB. Also, if you go to the north end, the waves are a lot calmer than in HB. There are fire pits here, so this looks to be the solution you are looking for. As for dogs, you're out of luck unless you want to drive down to San Diego or Long Beach. A dog beach just opened up in Long Beach, just south of the Belmont Pool. However, there aren't any fire pits.

#2
I have an answer for here, too, but feel that a geography lesson is in order. It's about River camping. Remember, we live in SoCal... it's a desert. That should be very apparent right now, with our hot weather. So, there aren't any rivers that are within 3 hours... except maybe the Kings River up near Kingsburg. But you don't want to go THERE... it's even hotter than down here, and the mosquitoes are KILLER. If you want good river camping, you'll need to go to Yosemite Valley (Merced River) or the Russian River (even further north, about 9-10 hours drive time). And there's a nice river that runs past a little town called Bridgeport in the Eastern Sierra, but that's also 9-10 hours. Finally, there's the Colorado River, about 4 hours away, and technically in SoCal. But there's not much shade, and it's HOT HOT HOT! OK, enough about rivers then.

The place I think you would like is called Carpinteria. If you've read my other posts, I mention it a lot. It has lots of shady campsites and grass (which is generally dead this time of year, however). But the cool part is that you are right at the beach! It's also rated as the world's safest beach. It's exactly 111 miles from my home in Brea, so it falls in the 3 hr windows, especially if you leave early or late. We can make it in two hours in the RV if we leave in the evening. It has a tent camping, as well as a section with hookups. You can take your dogs, but they are not (officially, at least) allowed on the beach). As for crowds, any place worth going to is going to be crowded. Let's face it, nobody wants to stay in town all summer. So, the beaches and the mountains get crowded. But I've found it's bearable, since EVERYONE has a good time. Check out www.reserveamerica.com for reservation dates, you will need to call on the first of the month, 6-7 months in advance (Feb 1 for dates Aug 1-31, etc).

If Carp is booked, you can also try El Capitan State Beach or Refugio State Beach, but my favorite is Carp.

Have fun!

Steve