I am looking for some advice about good campgrounds in central California - either near the coast or in the coastal mountain range.

I'm looking for a place for car camping, possibly along a river or near a lake, not overly crowded or too remote (something in between), with shower/bathroom facilities. We would also like to be able to have a campfire and cook on the campstove.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

J Correa,

Why don't you just do a Yahoo search for camp grounds in the Central Coast? I am sure that you will find lots of great information.

One of the nicest campgrounds near the coast is Samuel P. Taylor state park. Located in a redwood grove between San Rafael and Point Reyes. It has great facilities, hiking trails and several miles of bike paths. Using your camp site as a base, you can make day trips to explore that area of the coast, or you can just sit back and enjoy nature. Reservations are usually needed to get a camp site.

Thanks look-it-up. It never occured to me to actually do research!

I've done that.

I'm looking for some 1st hand accounts, which is why I asked the question on this forum.

J Correa,

Stop being a sissy and having other people do your research for you! If you had already done some research, you would have named several campgrounds that you were considering and then asked people's advice about them.

Oh no - my secret is out! I was trying to hide the fact that I am a sissy. What am I going to do now?

Tony - I have heard from other sources as well that Samuel Taylor SP is nice. I will definitely put that on the list of possibilities.

J Correa,

Must you be so rude? I think that you would get much more helpful information if you did your homework first and asked for advice later.

I'm sorry for being rude.
Just wondering, was it also rude for look-it-up to call me a sissy or was it only rude for me to respond?

I too am always interested in great camping spots on the central coast. Boy was I suprised to find J. Correa being bashed for asking...
I think limekiln is fun, beach and redwoods on big sur coast. Haven't been in a couple years so make sure it's still open. I think it is private.
We went camping at Ventana and then just walked up to the bar

Sunset beach between Aptos and Watsonville is also kinda nice depending on the weather. It can be windy and foggy in the summer.
Hope some other people respond with real insights.
I have a friend who goes to Paraiso Hot Springs almost every week...also private. (near Soledad)

I don't think of San Raphael as "central coast" but rather northern California.

I recommend you take a look at the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park in Big Sur. We had a wonderful time camping there with kids as there is a tame river running through the campground that the kids love and was quite safe. You can take a day drive to the Julia Pfeifer Burns State Park for pretty scenery (no overnight camping) and also can go horseback riding at Andrew Molera State Park just north of Big Sur and even venture 45 minutes north to Pt. Lobos Nature Reserve and/or Carmel.

Make a campsite reservation and then arrive early to pick your campsite. Some are in the shade of tall coastal redwoods, while more inland the vegetation changes to smaller trees and more sunshine, with just a few undesireable spots.

Check out Lake Nacimiento in Paso Robles [technically the city of Bradley] .. www.nacimientoresort.com