Expert: Steve Summers - 6/20/2002

Question
Hello Steve,

Hopefully you know about the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. It's part of the Santa Barbara County Parks.

http://www.sbparks.org/Scripts/ParksDetail.asp?ParkID=2

I'm planning a trip up to Cachula Lake Recreation Area (from W.LA) for July 4th weekend. Reservations are not accepted for the campsites but there are 500 of them. Do you think we'll be able to get a site if we go Wednesday evening, July 3rd? Or should we try to leave earlier, like on Wednesday morning to ensure a site?

This is my first time camping and I figured a developed area like Cachuma Lake was the way to go for someone as green as me.

thanks!

Answer
I think that you should go Wednesday morning, or earlier, if possible. Sometimes we send an "advance guard" a day or two early to reserve a site and get our name in. This also works at jalama beach http://www.jalamabeach.com also one of Santa Barbara County parks. Take plenty of sunscreen, and get one of those 10' x 10' canopy shades. It's hot up at Cachuma. Besides the fact that you are inland (and not that close to the marine layer), you are up in the mountains. It can get pretty hot during the day up there.

I always prefer to get my reservations before going. I'd hate to pack up all my junk, then get stuck without a site. Check out www.reserveamerica.com for state campgrounds like Carpinteria, El Capitan, Refugio, Morro Strand, and San Simeon State beaches.

Have fun,

Steve