Emma Wood State Beach only allows RVs and campers, and doesn't provide water or electrical hook-ups, but all of the 90 camping sites are directly on the Pacific Ocean. Reviewers write about falling asleep to the sound of the surf.
Some of the sites are paved, graveled or littered with sea debris, and the beach is popular for swimming, surfing or fishing. Sportsmen may catch perch, cabezon, bass or corbina. Wildlife watchers may glimpse raccoons, great blue herons and the occasional dolphin. There are no restrooms, dump stations, or fire rings. The closest water and dump station is 15 miles away at McGrath State Beach. Maximum vehicle length is 40 feet, and sites are reservation-only, from mid-May to Labor Day. In the off-season, camping is first-come first serve. The campground is between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.
Emma Wood State Beach
900 W. Main St.,
Ventura, CA 93001
805-968-1033
parks.ca.gov
The park is located close to miles of central-coast beaches, and accommodates RVs, tents, campers and provides rental cabins, on-site RVs and Airstream trailers. The maximum pull-through length is 90 feet. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk, the Monterey Aquarium, Fisherman's Warf and Pebble Beach Golf Course are in the immediate area. The park itself offers miniature golf, bike rentals, a playground, court games, a heated pool, store, snack bar and free wireless Internet. The recreation hall accommodates 200 for birthday parties or family reunions. The camp is open weekends from Easter to Memorial Day, and open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It then is open weekends from Labor Day to Halloween.
Santa Cruz-Monterey Bay KOA
1186 San Andreas Rd.
La Selva Beach, CA 95076
831-722-0989
koa.com
This Pacific coastal campground is 20 minutes north of downtown Santa Barbara, and is surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest. El Capitan State Beach is near, and the park also offers 15 miles of hiking trails. There are ocean views from every camp site, accommodating RVs, campers and tents. The park "offers the best of modern camping life," according to its website, which includes a heated pool and spa, laundry, wireless Internet and a camp market stocked with wine. Pets are welcome, but must be leashed. The campground was named Best of Goleta by the US Commerce Association, for enhancing the "positive image of small business though service to their customers and community."
Ocean Mesa at El Capitan
100 El Capitan Terrace Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
866-410-5783
oceanmesa.com
