Anyone been to Refugio campground in SB?

[Gracy]

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=603

I'd love to hear feedback on this place.  Thanks

[Crowbar4]

Many of us have been there. It is a nice beach although your feet will get a little oily.  The camp ground is nothing to write home about.  you are better off camping a little farther north at Flying Flags in Buellton and driving to Refugio during the day.

[wavery]

We love Refugio.......one of our favorite spots. A few pics below:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/549380343GsQINL

I recommend getting a site as close to the beach as possible (if you can). The train comes through a couple times a night but not a big deal unless you have the site that we had, right next to the tracks and in the entrance to the CG. We probably had the worst site in the entire place and we still loved t there. We've been trying to get a couple beach front sites for a couple years but never been successful.

I would rate it as #1 or 2 as best CA State Beach CGs. The beach is right there, it's a nice sandy beach. The surf is not rough there (most of the time). There's lots of shade, the sites are fair size. The beach walks are primo.

It's dry camping (water available) and very hard to get a site there (that's because it's so nice). I'm not sure what's not to like.........

Everybody has different camping priorities........we don't like Flying Flags and would never go there by ourselves. The only reason that we go there is to be with friends during a rally. When we go camping, we don't think driving somewhere is fun. We like to camp in a natural setting where we can leave the vehicle parked the entire time and enjoy where we are. We have no need of hook-ups so that isn't a big attraction for us, neither is a swimming pool.

[Recumbentman]

I'll second what Wayne said. its one of our favorite CG. just hard to get into

[Gracy]

Cool... I guess we got really lucky then :p  Thanks for all the feedback!

[Crowbar4]

after reading the other two post I realize Wayne is right. We all have different taste.  We went to Pt. Mugu and had a nice time because we were with friends not because we liked it there.  To be honest I would never go back on my own, only for a rally.  So in hind site my opinnion for Refugio probably sucks because I don't care much for beach camping.  I hope you have a good time!

[wavery]

after reading the other two post I realize Wayne is right. We all have different taste.  We went to Pt. Mugu and had a nice time because we were with friends not because we liked it there.  To be honest I would never go back on my own, only for a rally.  So in hind site my opinnion for Refugio probably sucks because I don't care much for beach camping.  I hope you have a good time!

I've found that to be very true........one either loves beach camping or hates it. There doesn't seem to be an in between.

We love it and hardly do any other type camping....:sombraro:

[Gracy]

Yes you guys are totally right... its all about your camping style and what is important to you.  For instance we have a group of friends who have PUT also and in the 10 years they have had the PUT they ONLY camp at East Shore in San Dimas............ now, while I do like that campground its not my #1 choice... we only do it to be with the group.  

My favorite group spot of all times has to be Cachuma Lake because there are no designated spots in the group sections... they give you a section and you can park trailers and set the tents anyplace you want.  When we use to do this with my ex's family everyone would park their motorhomes and trailers in a huge circle... it was so great because everyone had the same access to their spots from the picnic area in the middle.  I wish I had pictures of that set up because it has always been my favorite and something I always picture when thinking about camping with a large group.

Also hookups are not necessarily our top priority unless its a place in the heat of the summer. Satellite TV and WIFI are also not on our list of needs.  But I'm not knocking anyone who does care about that stuff either.  We just like to have a good time, be in good company and at least have access to fresh water hahahah

[DT Sante Fe]

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=603
 
I'd love to hear feedback on this place. Thanks

As others have said, very nice beach site. I prefer El Capitan SB just north of Refugio SB and am camping there in September. It is one of my fravorite spots.  The sites at El Cap seem a little bigger, although you are little bit farther away from the water, you are still very close. There is a bike path that runs between  the two campgrounds. It was washed out the last time I was there and I doubt it has been fixed with the state of the CA parks budget.
 
I camped at Ocean Mesa, a RV resort spot across the highway from El Capitan SB last weekend. Though it is not my prefered type of camping it was really fun. The place is very clean and has a heated pool and very dog freindly. Now the DW is spoiled and wants to camp at more full hook-up sites, oh well, could be worse. VERY expensive though.
 
On another note, an off duty  Santa Barbara Police oficer just got busted at Refugio for exposing himself to a couple of teenage girls Damn, can't trust  anybody anymore.