Expert: Steve Summers - 8/28/2005

Question
WE are looking for a Group Camping site in the Beach areas Santa Barbara South to San Diego for a 50 to 80 people for Tent's, and Tent Trailer's, etc. in July 2006 for a family Reunion that can accomodate us as a family.  Do you have any suggestions.

It seems like an insurmountable task.

Karen Mackey

Answer
Hi Karen,

I know of a number of places where you can accomplish this. It's not insurmountable, but you will need just some knowledge and some luck. There are a number of group sites, as outlined below. These can all be found on the state park's reservation web site, www.reserveamerica.com:

Refugio: Borchard group campsite accomodates up to 80 people and is by far your best option at Refugio.  It overlooks the beach and the rest of the campground, and it is off to the side by itself. Perfect for groups. Try this link: Borchard is on the far right: http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=2988&mode=big&lastmod...  Anapamu and Yanonali are adjacent, and hold 32 each.

El Capitan: Ortega, Cabrillo, and Drake will hold 50, 60, or 100 people, respectively. These campsites are on the bluffs over the ocean, and provide plenty of space. Tent trailers will be in the parking lot, not next to the tenting area. http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=3001&mode=big&lastmod...


Carpinteria: 10 miles South/East of Santa Barbara, this is our favorite. You'll want to book the Heron campground, which holds 65. If you need any more sites, you can book a few others in the Santa Cruz loop. This is our favorite, because you have a lot of room, bathrooms nearby, and you are steps from the beach. (Look for the RV with the green awning- The whole center area next to the bathrooms is included. http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi-bin/image.cgi?image=3384&mode=big&lastmod... It has 8 long sites. We stayed here with 83 people over Memorial Day by grabbing a few sites in addition to the ones shown. It was great!

The key is to get your friends together and dial like mad.  Here are the reservation dates:
Reservations:   1-800-444-PARK (7275) 8 AM
Customer Service:   1-800-695-2269

FOR CAMPING IN    RESERVE ON/OR AFTER
January    July 1st
February    August 1st
March    September 1st
April    October 1st
May    November 1st
June    December 1st
July    January 2nd
August    February 1st
September    March 1st
October    April 1st
November    May 1st
December    June 1st

You have time. Plan now in order to get the site you want. We did it in November for Memorial Day, and were able to get the sites we wanted with luck and perisistence. Go get 'em!

Steve