Expert: Steve Summers - 9/3/2007

Question
Dear Steve, I am wanting to tailer (18ft) camp in a beach campsite with a beautiful view from the campground area.  I will be travelling with someone who cannot get around well and having the view from the trailer area would be great.  Thanks!

Answer
Hi Louise,

At the end of a long weekend, it's nice to have a nice easy question to answer, no research required.

The place you want is Carpinteria State Beach, about 80 miles nort of LA. Stay in the Santa Rosa Section, along Beach Row (if your trailer is less than 24 feet). You are right on the beach, and the sound of the waves will put you to sleep at night. If your trailer is longer than 24 feet and less than 30 (give or take, I've seen a 35-footer in some sites), then you will need to stay in Long Row. The other rows in Santa Rosa have hookups, but not great views.

In the San Miguel campground, the views are nice from beach row, but no hookups. Long Row is also nice, but no sewer hookups are available. There is a dump station nearby, however.

In the Santa Cruz section, there are some campsites on the south side that have good views, but no hookups at all. The Anacapa section has some decent views, but not compared to the others.

Emma Wood State Beach is right on the water, but there is no beach. Just giant boulders. Great views, but not much else. There is also a section just north of there that seems to be free camping... I see a lot of RV's parked there, even at night. It might be Solimar Beach.

Further north, El Capitan State Beach is pretty nice. You can see the ocean from a number of sites. Also, Rincon has some very nice views.

To the south, Doheney State Beach has some nice beach Vistas, and is right on the beach. Once again, no hookups.

In San Diego County, you can stay at San Elijo State Beach and South Carlsbad State Beach. San Elijo has some hookup sites. Both these campgrounds are on the bluffs above the water.

Campland on the Bay, a private campground, has some excellent views of Mission Bay. However, you're really going to pay for it. It's almost cheaper to rent a hotel room.

All of the state beaches can be reserved at www.reserveamerica.com. Have fun, and good luck.
Have fun!