Expert: Steve Summers - 1/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: I hope this question gets to you in time, as I need to make my reservations tomorrow morning. I know, I shouldn't have waited until the last minute.

My husband and I want to take our kids tent camping on the beach. They are 10, 7, and 6 years old. We want them to be able to ride their bikes and scooters as well. We want a nice clean beach with clean showers and bathrooms.

We live near San Bernardino so Doheny  is a little bit closer than Carpinteria. We have not been to either beach, but have camped at Bolsa Chica and we loved it. But since we don't have use of an RV this time, we need to camp at a beach that allowes tents. Which beach, if either, is similar to camping at Bolsa Chica?

Also, I have heard that the ocean at Doheny is somewhat rocky. Is this true.

I'm sorry for the novel of a question, but this is our first real family camping trip and we just want to have the very best experience possible.

Thank you!

ANSWER: Hi Tiffani,

You can check, but I believe that July reservations are made on January 2 (at least according to the California State Parks web site).

If you liked Bolsa Chica, you'll like Carpinteria even more. Carp has a more small-town feel, whereas Doheney is right at a busy section of the OC. I don't believe that Doeheney is that rocky, but Carp has been declared "World's Safest Beach". You'll LOVE the vibe at Carp, where the only traffic problems you'll have are related to all the kids on bikes and scooters. The place is REALLY kid-friendly, and it's hard not to make friends while camping there. Showers and restrooms are cleaned every morning around the same time (depends on which campground, but Anacapa and Santa Crua are around 8 AM.) Don't forget your quarters. It's 25 cents for 2 or three minutes. When the kids were young, we could get by for 2 quarters per shower for our son, and 3 or 4 for the girls. The girls got smart early, showering together so they could stay longer. Usually the kids would shower every other day. OK, enough about that.

One of coolest things about camping at Carp is the town itself. It's a little beach town, with its own old-fashioned candy store (Robataille's, right next to Von's on Linden Avenue). It also has a Foster's Freeze on Carpinteria Ave. Also on Linden are two very famous establishments, The Spot (an open-air burger place that has been around almost 100 years), and The Palms, a steakhouse that used to be a hotel-- you cook your own steak so you can't complain if its overcooked. It's a blast to ride into town on bikes or scooters. Helmet laws are rigorously enforced, so don't forget the helmets. And bring a few pennies so that you can let the trains smash them flat.

The trains are definitely a part of the experience. You get about a dozen per day, starting with the 7:00 train that leaves south for LA, and ending with a freighter that goes by sometime between 10:00 and 11:00. I've been going here so long that I can even identify who's at the helm. Our favorite is a guy we call "Mr. Happy Horn", who usually drives the late freighter south to LA. He blows the horn with a little extra gusto, even when there's no crossing. I guess he likes to rattle the campers. We always play the "train" game, even though the kids are grown. First one to yell "TRAIN!" when you hear one coming is declared the "winner". No prizes awarded, but you're the winner until the next one goes by. It's almost as fun as yelling "ELMER!" in Yosemite Valley.

I like Doheny, but I LOVE Carpinteria. That's pretty obvious if you've read any of my posts here. So be sure to make your reservation right at 8:00, because they go within minutes.

Good luck!



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks! Carpinteria it is then. Do you have any suggestions as to which campsite we should get?

Answer
Check the maps... Any one along Santa Cruz along the beach row is highly desired (30-32, 37, 39-42), as is along the creek (43-48)... I've also enjoyed Anacapa along the far west side (10,11,12,15)... it's adjacent to a large open field.

Really, ANY site in Carp is good. It's just great to be there.

Good luck!