Camping Central along the Central Coast

Camping up the Central Coast was sure a
learning experience. The big thing I learned is
that we really need good information about
what you are getting yourself into. We thought
about booking a place and just staying there
sight unseen, but it made me nervous. It was
going to be stressful enough rooming with 3
kids in a small space, but things could get
worse if we didn't like where we were staying.
So we just started driving, Ken hoping we would
find anything as to not have to sleep in some
parking lot, me hoping for the most wonderful
place. Well let me tell you it was worth the
gamble. From Ventura to Pismo Beach we
checked out 10 sites and only 3 did we really
love, 3 were nice, but not as scenic, and the
others were not worth the trip. I wish I had
taken more pictures, but to the left are the
three we stayed at. Below is a list of all the
sites we'd seen and my opinions:

Emma Wood in Ventura - We stayed here and loved
this place for it's unobstructed ocean view. The wall
between us and the ocean are now the crumbled ruins
of a World War 2 coastal artillery site. And it was
wonderful to hear the water crashing up against it at
night when the tide had risen. I recommend the North
Beach which site's are all lined up in a row along the
coast. It is a great place to go with an RV. There are
no hook-ups, but easy beach if you get spaces 1-10,
otherwise it's a climb down the rocks.

The North Beach can be reached via Highway 101, two
miles west of Ventura.

Telephone (800) 444-7275 for reservations.

Oceano Dunes - We stayed here and it was an
awsome camping experience. We drove onto the sand
and up the coast a mile and camped wherever we
wanted. It is designated for off-road vehicles which
we heard can get crazy on holidays, but we went
during the week and it was beautiful. We watched a
half dozen whales, listened to seals during the night,
caught a large clam and studied it all day and got to
see a lot of nature. The beach wasn't the best for
swimming because of all the wildlife. There were
jellyfish and crabs and such, but it didn't stop the kids.
Camping was $1 for tents and $6 for vehicles.

Located at 576 Camino Mercado in Arroyo Grande

Telephone (805)444-7275 for reservations.

Faria Park in Ventura - This campsite is small with 42
sites elevated from the ocean on a sort of cliff. It had
a beautiful view of the ocean. Tents and RV's are
welcome. I am anxious to try this place out.

Telephone (805) 654-3951 for directions and
reservations.

Refugio State Beach in Goleta - This place was a very
nice campsite with an abundance of greenery and tall
trees. We would have liked to stay here if they had
room. There are 85 campsites, but no hook-ups. It had
a store, fishing, horseshoes, swings, showers and easy
beach access, one of my favorites for tenting.

Located 20 miles west of Santa Barbara on Highway 101
at Refugio Road

This place is available by reservation only.

Telephone (805) 968-1033.

Carpenteria - Located 12 miles south of Santa Barbara
off Highway 101 was a clean campsite. This one was
located at a very busy public beach. It was close
quarters for campers with no ocean view, but an easy
walk across the parking lot. It has 251 campsites, 120 of
them with RV hook-ups.

Telephone (805)684-2811

El Capitan - This campground is a lovely and clean
campground that is geared toward campers with tents
who like to socialize with other campers. It has an easy
beach access. A bike path connects to Refugio State
Beach 2.5 miles away. There are no hook-ups, and RV's
are not allowed in the best part of this campground, but
there is an area on the other side of the freeway
available for RVs, but I don't recommend it.

El Capitan is located 17 miles west of Santa Barbara.

Telephone (805) 968-1033 for reservations.

Ventura Beach RV Resort - This place wasn't anywhere
near our kind of camping, the beach was quite the walk to
get to and the freeway ran parallel on both sides of the
park, but it had everything from karaoke, laundry facilities,
a store, pool, playgrounds, bike rentals and such, and I
have to admit the spa and store were a welcoming site
after days of roughing it. I wouldn't make this my
destination point, but it's a restful stop-over for a night.
Located in Ventura at 800 West Main Street

Telephone (805) 643-9137.

Gaviota State Park in Gaviota - I absolutely do not
recommend this campground. It was so dry, desolate and
kind of scary with homeless or homicidal looking campers.
It did have a market, but it was quit the walk to get to
the beach, no hook-ups, a railroad bridge overhead and
evidently it had a flood that came through and destroyed
the place, which is evident.

Located 33 miles west of Santa Barbara off Highway 101
in Gaviota.

Telephone (805) 968-1033.

Pismo North Beach in Pismo Beach - This
campground was a little more spread out with sand
dunes blocking the ocean view. The easiest beach
access were from spaces number 31, 32 & 84.

Located off Highway 1 in Pismo Beach.

There were spaces available without reservations, but
we didn't care for the place.

Telephone (805) 489-2684.

McGrath State Park - Definitely NO! Not only was it
unattractive, desolate and dry, with sand dunes blocking
the ocean view, but it's next to a sewage treatment and
is said to have the worst water. It even smelled bad
driving by. It has 174 campsites, restrooms and showers.

The park is reached via Harbor Blvd. off Highway 101, five
miles south of Ventura.

Telephone (805) 654-4744.