Expert: Steve Summers - 5/15/2006

Question
Hi!

I have read through previous questions and have agreed with many of your camping venues and tips (sans Carp... have only been for day use, but now will definitely look into for camping!)

Anway, I am located in Orange County and have been looking for camping locations that are off the radar. I find (especially when I get a bug to do last minute camping) reserveusa and reserveamerica (both connected and basically have the same information) are usually booked. I have a 5 year old, so we are looking for places with water... beach, lake, or other... and would like to stay withing a 2.5 hour vacinity.

Are there any other camping locations you know of that don't require a registration? Any ideas would be great! This time we are planning for the memorial day holiday (if we can find anywhere still with availability!)

Thanks!
Camp on!
Willa in the OC

Answer
Hi Willa,

Living in the OC myself, I like to keep my weekend trips relatively short because I have a 5YO myself. One of the ways I can extend my drive time and peace of mind is to take off after 8 PM. That way my little one can sleep in the back, and I can drive in peace. I really like to use the web sites for reservations, since I don't want to drive hours to find out the campground is closed or full. I have found that you can get some last minute reservations at places like Carpinteria, San Elijo, McGrath, South Carlsbad, and San Clemente. For the mountains, you might want to check out Silverwood Lake, in the San Bernardino Mountains (not the one in the Mammoth area).

However, you asked for some non-reservation campsites, and I do have a few. However, you are going to have to get lucky to get into them. (Memorial Day, Labor Day, and July 4th are non-travel days for us if we don't have reservations... just too much traffic and too many people to chance it.)

Santa Barbara County has two county parks that are first-come, first served: Cachuma Lake and Jalama Beach. Cachuma is a pretty lake, good for fishing, in the mountains above Santa Barbara. It's a good 2.5-3 hours from OC. You are close to SB or Solvang if you are looking for a good day trip. More info is at http://www.sbparks.org/DOCS/Cachuma.html

The second county park is Jalama Beach, which really is off of the radar. It's not easy to get to, but enough people know about it to make it a tricky proposition. The great part about this place is the sheer solitude of it. There is nothing for miles. Having grown up in SoCal, it is strange but exciting to see such large stretches of pristine, undeveloped oceanfront property. If you get in, it's all worth it. Enjoy a Jalama Burger at the store/restaurant, and congratulate yourself. You can get information at www.jalamabeach.com, or at http://www.sbparks.org/DOCS/jalama.html

Have fun!

Steve