RE: Refugio State Bech

[oldmoose]

 
We just spent 3 days at Refugio and loved it. Of course having perfect weather helped. There are no hookups here, but water is close by. The have very nice showers and restrooms. They also have a store for those items you forgot. They also have a 3 mile bike trail to El Capitan SB. There were quite a number of people surf fishing. We will definitely be back as we had a great time. This is a VERY popular campground and is usually sells out quickly.

[forestwalker]

 oldmoose
We have fond memories of this cg from 45 yrs ago.Seems like the cove has its own pleasant micro climate.Do you think reservations are necessary year round? How far in advance did you reserve your site ? This place seems like a possible NNC/So. Cal. group joint ralley spot.I believe that we liked El Cap. too-but Refugio was our favorite.

[oldmoose]

 oldmoose
I would recommend reservations. The campground was sold out not only for the campers, but for day use. My sister-in-laws  group made reservations 6 months in advance. We started calling at 8AM and finally got our 12 reservations by 9:15. A friend said that by 10AM it was sold out on the dates we were there. I ve camped at El Capitan and it s nice but the area at Refugio is better. The one advantage to El Capitan is that the camping areas are larger.
 
 I think you re right about the local climate. It was warmer there than when we got home. Of course by the end of the day our home was warmer. We ll definitely go back. I don t think it would be a good NNC-Scampers area as there are no hookups and many of the group have never dry camped. We love to camp either way. Besides we have a generator to assist if needed.

[forestwalker]

 oldmoose
Hey Moose-I used to live in what is now called Agoura Hills.Address was Kanan Rd.

[Unregistered]

Refugio is my favorite beach CG in So-Cal.  The fact that the beach faces South-SouthEAST makes a big difference.  It's the only place I've seen on the west coast that the sun sets behind the beach.

Make reservations seven months in advance, but if you didn't then keep checking back for cancellations.  

Gaviota is a few miles up the coast but in a completely different climate.  It faces West and is the mouth to Gaviota Pass, so the westerly winds just blast across it.  No reservations, first come so you have a chance of getting in.

Jim
JimQPublic@hotmail.com
2002 Chalet Arrowhead
2004 Subaru Forester XT

[SPLAT]

OK I looked at some online pictures and I am convinced that this State Park is a little slice of heaven...

So when is the best time of the year to camp?  I like the weather in the mid 80's and humidity kills me...

What do you all recommend?

[fishinful]

Splat-


  The best time to camp at Refugio is when you can get a spot.
 
   Predicting the weather is tough and narrowing it down to the 80's and low  humidity is a tall order. In september and October the Santa Ana's can come right down the canyon  and create just such a situation.