good camping place to go to in So. Cal?

[DreaW]

So I want to plan a camping trip, mind you I don't camp a lot but Erik does...he is going to Idyllwild next weekend with his guy friends.

So I was thinking about making a group camping trip, girls and guys, not just couples. I want to find a place that is near water (like the sound of the river)....any suggestions?

Also if you like I can send you the evite too so you can join us

[gkashmira]

Dre - what about beach-side camping? A lot of those places fill up so you may have to try and make a reservation for before Memorial Day (that seems to kick off the camping season):

 

I love this place: El Capitan State Beach - Campground Details - EL CAPITAN SB, Ca - ReserveAmerica

(BTW: This is TOO far from Santa Ynez wineries either!)

 

Refugio State Beach:

Campground Details - REFUGIO SB, Ca - ReserveAmerica

 

Carpinteria State Beach:

Campground Details - CARPINTERIA SB, Ca - ReserveAmerica

 

Let me go look up some river-side spots!

 

Down the

[gkashmira]

I haven't been to any of these but they seem nice too:

Campground Details - Soledad Canyon, Ca - ReserveAmerica

Campground Details - DOHENY SB, Ca - ReserveAmerica

 

(This one doesn't seem to be near water)

Campground Details - NORTH SHORE (CA), Ca - ReserveAmerica

Campground Details - DOGWOOD (CA), Ca - ReserveAmerica

[DreaW]

ooo thanks Kash, I'll check them out I'm thinking on planning this for the first weekend of May.

[Lilpaisley]

I highly recomend Sycamore Canyon in Ventura County. I have always loved that spot. It beautiful. Many TV shows, films, etc are filmed there because it's so lovely.

Bonus...it's right off PCH and just up the road from Neptunes Net...and you must eat there!

[Yari]

The Kern River near Bakersfield is fun!!!

 

Also, San Onofre.

[starchild]

Leo Carillo in Malibu is a great campground with beach proximity, but it's probably sold out for the summer. In fact, a lot of prime beach spots probably are. The links Kash shared for Reserve America are great because you can check availability online for just about everywhere. There are plenty of lakes and rivers to camp near!

[cheese_diva]

I believe alot of those campsites on the beach are first come, first serve, no reservations. My friends go to Fria (probably spelled wrong) but they get there on a Wednesday, then come home and go up in the evenings until the weekend.

 

We go to lake Casitas (Ojai) alot (but no swimming in the lake) and there's some ban right now about bringing in your own boat at all the local lakes because of mussels. They have a water park for kids (and adults I think) and also a good frisbee golf course.

 

We also go to Far West in Santa Paula.. no water, but there is hiking and they have peacocks all over the place. Great horseshoe pits and it's privately ran so it's really clean. Their bathrooms have nice showers.

[starchild]

Oooh Lake Casitas sounds nice! I know Leo Carillo requires reservations and is one of those places that won't let you onto the campground without one. Just check online before going anywhere.

[DreaW]

hmmmm, Thank you girls for the suggestions. I don't think Erik would like to do a beach camping though.....We have gone to Joshua tree and up to the mountains (i.e Idyllwild, which he is going with the guys next weekend). I want to go somewhere where they have a river or a stream like they do in WA. loved it when I camped there, though I'm not really a camper

 

Would you girls be interested in going if I pick a place....thinking May 2-4