Drexl
I want to camp in a tent and ride a bicycle into town each day. I've read about camping on dispersed public land, but I've also read about camping in national parks and paying $5 a day or $180-$300 for a whole season. But the ones that offer a whole season pass seem to be for RV's. I can't find much info about riding in on a bicycle and setting up a tent.
So what are some areas in the western states that would be suitable for tent camping in the winter, that are cheap or free and accessible by bike? Preferably a place with showers or somewhere to wash off.
Answer
I don't know if they still publish/sell them, but we used to use the Rand Mcnally style campground guides when we travelled out West and never had trouble finding cheap places to tent camp. The National Forest campgrounds tended to only be a couple of bucks and we often were able to get space for a tent at privately owned campgrounds for very little since we didn't need the water and power hookups the RV users needed. Even if all their regular spaces were full they could make a couple of bucks by letting us find a corner for our tent. We even got spaces free a couple of times.
As far as specific areas within bike distance of town, the only ones that comes to mind at the moment are the Lake Minnewaska campground outside Banff in the Canadian Rockies (great tent sites with bathrooms and concrete shelters where you can cook and hang out at picnic tables when it's raining) and the Canyonlands Camground in Moab, Utah. It's been at least 12 years since I was at either one but I recall it was only around $5 a night to get a tent site at them.
I don't know if they still publish/sell them, but we used to use the Rand Mcnally style campground guides when we travelled out West and never had trouble finding cheap places to tent camp. The National Forest campgrounds tended to only be a couple of bucks and we often were able to get space for a tent at privately owned campgrounds for very little since we didn't need the water and power hookups the RV users needed. Even if all their regular spaces were full they could make a couple of bucks by letting us find a corner for our tent. We even got spaces free a couple of times.
As far as specific areas within bike distance of town, the only ones that comes to mind at the moment are the Lake Minnewaska campground outside Banff in the Canadian Rockies (great tent sites with bathrooms and concrete shelters where you can cook and hang out at picnic tables when it's raining) and the Canyonlands Camground in Moab, Utah. It's been at least 12 years since I was at either one but I recall it was only around $5 a night to get a tent site at them.
tent camping in oc/la?
gosandiego
are there any places to camp (tent only) in orange county/la area? if anyone knows anywhere, I'd appreciate it!
Answer
"Near" is a relative term. There isn't much in and around LA proper, since real estate is much too expensive. Within 100 miles, you have a selection of campgrounds for tent camping. Try some of these campgrounds, listed roughly north to south). State campgrounds can be reserved at www.reserveamerica.com:
Jalama: This is for those who like to get away from it all, and like to take risks. It is first-come, first-served, but if you DO get in, itâs incredible. Located in SB County, south of Vandenberg Air Force Base, near Lompoc. If you want to camp at a remote beach, this is the place. Nothing here but the store/restaurant, and some RR tracks. Can be a bit windy. The main reason I donât camp here too much is because I donât want to make the drive all the way there, only to find itâs full. www.jalamabeach.com.
Gaviota: No reservations required, but I rarely see anyone here. Not much more than some parking spots by the side of highway 101.
Refugio State Beach: North of Santa Barbara about 15 miles. This campground is right on the beach level, and has some spots just a few feet from the water. Itâs a nice place, and itâs not too far from SB. However, one drawback it the freight trains: It is located at a bend in the RR tracks (most state beaches are right by some RR tracks, BTW), and the longer âpiggybackâ cars screech when they make the turn. Itâs not a pleasant sound, but it only happens a couple times a day.
El Capitan State Beach: Practically next door to Refugio, 2 miles south. El Cap is on the bluffs above the beach, with many trees around the campsites. However, the trains here are much less obtrusive, because thereâs no crossing (so no blasts from the horn), and the train is slightly below ground level at this point, as the tracks are dug into the hillside. This is my second-favorite campground.
Carpinteria State Beach: 12 miles south/east of Santa Barbara. My favorite beach is Carpinteria, which is rated at "The World's Safest Beach". There is plenty of beach for swimming or body surfing. There are some excellent tide pools on the south end of the beach, and some large natural tar seeps nearby, which is how the beach got its name (The Spaniards noticed that the local natives used the tar to make their canoes... the word Carpinteria basically means "wood shop"). Also, there are plenty of places to explore in the nice little town. There are fun local restaurants like the Spot (just look for the line of people on Linden Avenue), the Palms (where you cook your own steak), or Giovanni's Pizza (where they have excellent antipasto salad). There is even an old-fashioned candy store called Robitaille's (RO-bah-ties). Kids will also probably like the surf shop (Matt Moore's Rincon Designs), and Foster's Freeze... nothing like a ice cream cone on a warm afternoon. The trains go by, but itâs a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits. In fact, itâs a source of entertainment, since you can put a penny on the tracks and watch it get smashed flat by the train. Also, there is a train platform about 100 yards from the north end of the campground, which we have used when someone in our group hast to come late or leave early. Camping on the beach doesnât get any better than Carpinteria, which puts you steps away from the sand and surf. Be sure to bring your bikes: Itâs one of the favorite activities besides going to the beach. Just before dinnertime, the campground has more bikes moving than cars. This is probably the most family-friendly camping on the coast. However, youâll need to plan well in advance: Sites book 6 months in advance, so you have to think of summer camping in the winter (Memorial Day weekend books November 1, for example).
McGrath State Beach, Ventura: This is a nice enough beach. Technically, you are on the beach, but itâs almost ¼ mile to the water over the dunes. And no trains to worry about.
Point Mugu State Park: Near Oxnard, it consists of two campgrounds: Sycamore Canyon and Broome Beach. Sycamore Canyon is nice enough. My dad used to love it here. There was a fire about 15 years ago which destroyed the campground, but itâs grown back nicely. Broome beach is a windswept parking lot just off PCH. Not much in the way of amenities here.
Leo Carrillo State Park, Malibu: Note the name. Most people call it Leo Carrillo State Beach, but itâs on the inland side of PCH, and you can walk under PCH to get to the beach. Since the beach is covered with large rocks, itâs low on my list of favorite campsites.
Pomona KOA: Next to Fairplex, in Pomona. People are always asking where to camp âin LAâ. While there are no campgrounds in LA itself, this is the closest. Forget about camping here in September, itâs full of people who work at the county fair. Itâs exceedingly hot and smoggy in the summer, so beware. Itâs very urban camping, but if you want to camp close to LA, this is the spot. http://www.koa.com/where/ca/05438/
Newport Dunes: Located in Newport Beach, itâs the Cadillac of RV parks. You can tent camp here as well, but the park caters mainly to RVâs. The prices are 2-3 times that of the state parks. If I wanted to spend that much, I'd get a hotel room. www.newportdunes.com.
Doheney State Beach, Dana Point: This is one of the few campgrounds that have actual beachfront sites. There is a VERY nice park next door, and you are within walking distance of the Dana Point Harbor and shops. Just across PCH and the RR tracks, there is a condo development where you could pay hundreds per night to stay. Or, you could pay twenty bucks and camp right on the beach. The choice is yours. This is another one of my favorite spots for tent camping.
San Clemente State Beach: Located in the beach town of San Clemente, it is located on the bluffs overlooking the beach.
San Onofre State Beach: Unless you are a HARD CORE surfer, this is not a good place to camp. I camped here once, but never again. You are 10 feet from the RR tracks, 20 feet from I-5. If you're lucky, you get to be right next to the border checkpoint, with flashing lights all night. And it's ¼ mile walk to the beach. There are loud teens and twenty-somethings up late, and no ranger enforcement of quiet time. Great if you're a college-aged person and want to surf and party, but rotten for families.
South Carlsbad State Beach: Close to Legoland in north San Diego County. Located on a strip of land on the bluffs above the beach, itâs great for whale watching during migration season.
San Elijo State Beach: Located in Leucadia, in north San Diego County. Same as South Carlsbad, but with a few hookup sites if you have an RV.
Campland on the Bay: Private campground on the north end of Mission Bay, close to Sea World. Excellent location, lots of organized activities, but you pay for it. Full amenities here, like Newport Dunes.
Sequoia is not really SoCal. At the very least, it's Central California. As long as you are up that way, you might as well go all the way to Yosemite. Nothing like it, and no pictures can do it justice.
"Near" is a relative term. There isn't much in and around LA proper, since real estate is much too expensive. Within 100 miles, you have a selection of campgrounds for tent camping. Try some of these campgrounds, listed roughly north to south). State campgrounds can be reserved at www.reserveamerica.com:
Jalama: This is for those who like to get away from it all, and like to take risks. It is first-come, first-served, but if you DO get in, itâs incredible. Located in SB County, south of Vandenberg Air Force Base, near Lompoc. If you want to camp at a remote beach, this is the place. Nothing here but the store/restaurant, and some RR tracks. Can be a bit windy. The main reason I donât camp here too much is because I donât want to make the drive all the way there, only to find itâs full. www.jalamabeach.com.
Gaviota: No reservations required, but I rarely see anyone here. Not much more than some parking spots by the side of highway 101.
Refugio State Beach: North of Santa Barbara about 15 miles. This campground is right on the beach level, and has some spots just a few feet from the water. Itâs a nice place, and itâs not too far from SB. However, one drawback it the freight trains: It is located at a bend in the RR tracks (most state beaches are right by some RR tracks, BTW), and the longer âpiggybackâ cars screech when they make the turn. Itâs not a pleasant sound, but it only happens a couple times a day.
El Capitan State Beach: Practically next door to Refugio, 2 miles south. El Cap is on the bluffs above the beach, with many trees around the campsites. However, the trains here are much less obtrusive, because thereâs no crossing (so no blasts from the horn), and the train is slightly below ground level at this point, as the tracks are dug into the hillside. This is my second-favorite campground.
Carpinteria State Beach: 12 miles south/east of Santa Barbara. My favorite beach is Carpinteria, which is rated at "The World's Safest Beach". There is plenty of beach for swimming or body surfing. There are some excellent tide pools on the south end of the beach, and some large natural tar seeps nearby, which is how the beach got its name (The Spaniards noticed that the local natives used the tar to make their canoes... the word Carpinteria basically means "wood shop"). Also, there are plenty of places to explore in the nice little town. There are fun local restaurants like the Spot (just look for the line of people on Linden Avenue), the Palms (where you cook your own steak), or Giovanni's Pizza (where they have excellent antipasto salad). There is even an old-fashioned candy store called Robitaille's (RO-bah-ties). Kids will also probably like the surf shop (Matt Moore's Rincon Designs), and Foster's Freeze... nothing like a ice cream cone on a warm afternoon. The trains go by, but itâs a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits. In fact, itâs a source of entertainment, since you can put a penny on the tracks and watch it get smashed flat by the train. Also, there is a train platform about 100 yards from the north end of the campground, which we have used when someone in our group hast to come late or leave early. Camping on the beach doesnât get any better than Carpinteria, which puts you steps away from the sand and surf. Be sure to bring your bikes: Itâs one of the favorite activities besides going to the beach. Just before dinnertime, the campground has more bikes moving than cars. This is probably the most family-friendly camping on the coast. However, youâll need to plan well in advance: Sites book 6 months in advance, so you have to think of summer camping in the winter (Memorial Day weekend books November 1, for example).
McGrath State Beach, Ventura: This is a nice enough beach. Technically, you are on the beach, but itâs almost ¼ mile to the water over the dunes. And no trains to worry about.
Point Mugu State Park: Near Oxnard, it consists of two campgrounds: Sycamore Canyon and Broome Beach. Sycamore Canyon is nice enough. My dad used to love it here. There was a fire about 15 years ago which destroyed the campground, but itâs grown back nicely. Broome beach is a windswept parking lot just off PCH. Not much in the way of amenities here.
Leo Carrillo State Park, Malibu: Note the name. Most people call it Leo Carrillo State Beach, but itâs on the inland side of PCH, and you can walk under PCH to get to the beach. Since the beach is covered with large rocks, itâs low on my list of favorite campsites.
Pomona KOA: Next to Fairplex, in Pomona. People are always asking where to camp âin LAâ. While there are no campgrounds in LA itself, this is the closest. Forget about camping here in September, itâs full of people who work at the county fair. Itâs exceedingly hot and smoggy in the summer, so beware. Itâs very urban camping, but if you want to camp close to LA, this is the spot. http://www.koa.com/where/ca/05438/
Newport Dunes: Located in Newport Beach, itâs the Cadillac of RV parks. You can tent camp here as well, but the park caters mainly to RVâs. The prices are 2-3 times that of the state parks. If I wanted to spend that much, I'd get a hotel room. www.newportdunes.com.
Doheney State Beach, Dana Point: This is one of the few campgrounds that have actual beachfront sites. There is a VERY nice park next door, and you are within walking distance of the Dana Point Harbor and shops. Just across PCH and the RR tracks, there is a condo development where you could pay hundreds per night to stay. Or, you could pay twenty bucks and camp right on the beach. The choice is yours. This is another one of my favorite spots for tent camping.
San Clemente State Beach: Located in the beach town of San Clemente, it is located on the bluffs overlooking the beach.
San Onofre State Beach: Unless you are a HARD CORE surfer, this is not a good place to camp. I camped here once, but never again. You are 10 feet from the RR tracks, 20 feet from I-5. If you're lucky, you get to be right next to the border checkpoint, with flashing lights all night. And it's ¼ mile walk to the beach. There are loud teens and twenty-somethings up late, and no ranger enforcement of quiet time. Great if you're a college-aged person and want to surf and party, but rotten for families.
South Carlsbad State Beach: Close to Legoland in north San Diego County. Located on a strip of land on the bluffs above the beach, itâs great for whale watching during migration season.
San Elijo State Beach: Located in Leucadia, in north San Diego County. Same as South Carlsbad, but with a few hookup sites if you have an RV.
Campland on the Bay: Private campground on the north end of Mission Bay, close to Sea World. Excellent location, lots of organized activities, but you pay for it. Full amenities here, like Newport Dunes.
Sequoia is not really SoCal. At the very least, it's Central California. As long as you are up that way, you might as well go all the way to Yosemite. Nothing like it, and no pictures can do it justice.
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