Camping On The Beach?

[rich]

Hello All,

I am planning a Christmas road trip down highway one from Santa Cruz area all the way to Hunington Beach then head East through Joshua Tree and on to Grandma's house in Arizona. I am planning a night or two at Pismo where we can drive right out onto the beach and camp. It struck me that I don't know any other place we can do that. I have seen some thread on here about Usal beach on the North Coast where you can do that. So I thought we could all throw out the places we know you can do that. Of course places along my road trip would be great but even Northern California, Oregon and Washington would be good to know about since we all tend to travel these corridors a lot. So post the best on the beach camping you know about and pictures if you've got em.

 

[chnlisle]

Montana de Oro SP
El Capitan SB
Refugio State Beach
Rincon
Emma Wood SB
McGrath SB
Point Mugu SP
Sycamore Cove State Beach
Thornhill Broome Beach State Park
Leo Carrillo SP

You might need reservations.

 

[SunMan]

Hello All,

I am planning a Christmas road trip down highway one from Santa Cruz area all the way to Hunington Beach then head East through Joshua Tree and on to Grandma's house in Arizona. I am planning a night or two at Pismo where we can drive right out onto the beach and camp. It struck me that I don't know any other place we can do that. I have seen some thread on here about Usal beach on the North Coast where you can do that. So I thought we could all throw out the places we know you can do that. Of course places along my road trip would be great but even Northern California, Oregon and Washington would be good to know about since we all tend to travel these corridors a lot. So post the best on the beach camping you know about and pictures if you've got em.



I'm pretty sure Pismo is the only place you can drive on the sand, all the beaches Chnlisle listed are good but you can't drive on the beach.

 

[DirtyDog]

Can't drive on the beach at Usal either.

 

[CJinCA]

You can drive on Clam Beach just north of McKinleyville. Driving is restricted to daylight hours and there is no camping on the beach proper. There is a campground right next to the beach, but unfortunately it’s also sandwiched next to 101 and while I’ve never used the campground I’d imagine traffic noise might interfere with a good night’s sleep. I’d bring ear plugs just in case.

You can also drive on the beach of the west side of Humboldt Bay’s south jetty. It’s also restricted to daylight hours only. And while there’s no place there to camp, it’s a great place to spend an afternoon and gather firewood from the beach.

Those two are the only ones in Northern California that come to mind where you can legally do any beach driving with your typical full size vehicle.

 

[craig333]

Can or allowed? You can drive on the beach at Usal. Don't know if its legal but a lot of people were while I was there. Didn't try it myself. I had vision of a really heavy truck stuck there. The Jeep would have been fun.

 

[EdoHart]

Montana de Oro SP
El Capitan SB
Refugio State Beach
Rincon
Emma Wood SB
McGrath SB
Point Mugu SP
Sycamore Cove State Beach
Thornhill Broome Beach State Park
Leo Carrillo SP

You might need reservations.


You forgot Jalama County Park, otherwise a pretty good list! You can't drive on the beach at Jalama either.

 

[CJinCA]

Can or allowed? You can drive on the beach at Usal. Don't know if its legal but a lot of people were while I was there. Didn't try it myself. I had vision of a really heavy truck stuck there. The Jeep would have been fun.


“Can” as in legal to do so.

Though it’s not a Wild West free for all. Certain restrictions apply at Clam Beach which are posted at beach access points. Such as a 15mph speed limit, holiday closures like on the 4th of July (too many idiots spoil it for all), avoiding the endangered Snowy Plover nesting areas during breeding season, driving restricted to the wave slope and others that I don’t recall at the moment.

The south jetty’s beach access points are posted with similar rules & regs regarding driving on the beach.

Not too many beaches left in CA you can drive on. Every once in a while there's a push to end vehicle access to these beaches, but so far it has been unsuccessful. I think the big reason they remain open to vehicles is these areas are not heavily trafficked and Man's impact on them has not been significant.

 

[BSS]

I think you can drive on that beach at the jct of 128 and hwy 1 at the mouth of the Navarro River? The name escapes me right now though.

 

[chnlisle]

As I recall the only real sandy beach there is right at the mouth of the river off Navarro Beach Rd.

 

[rich]

Wow,

I knew driving and camping directly on the beach would be rare but it sounds like Pismo is the only place you can still legally do both.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

I have always wanted to do a Pismo trip. The last time we went down to visit my wifes brother, we had a car, so couldn't drive on the beach easily without the risk of getting stuck.

We did camp on the beach at the Lost Coast without any problems. The river bed was dry and we camped on the beach w/ our truck & FWC. There were 3 or 4 others there beach camping in their trucks / tents with 4x4 vehicles. The park ranger came out in his 4x4 truck to check up on a bunch of drunk teenagers, and he didn't say anything to the beach campers. We paid the park fee at the drop box on the way in. I'm guessing it was OK, because he drove right by and didn't say anything.

BUT the sand is soft. I don't think you would want to attempt it in a 2 wheel drive truck.


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[rich]

Hi Stan,

I have a 4x4 so that wouldn't be too much of a problem. I am currently in the market for a portable air compressor/jump starter so I can air down the tires for the beach and air back up when I hit the road. The lost coast is a good idea, I love it there. It won't be on our December road trip since we are heading south but could be a future trip. You mentioned the river so I assume you were at the mouth of the Matole river campground at the North tip of the Lost Coast? I've been there once, hiked out of the Lost Coast there and then hitch hiked back to my car....scary experience, that was my last time hitchiking and it was probably 12 years ago. If you can drive onto the beach there that would make a great trip.

 

[rich]

Stan,

I started a thread about on board air and compressor choices, if you have any advice you can find the thread here:

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/2608/

thanks for the info!