San Clemente SB Jul 20-22 '07 Blufftop Group Site

[JimQPublic]

When: Friday July 20 through Sunday July 22
Where: San Clemente State Beach Blufftop Group Campsite
Status:  FULL

Update 1/3/07:  As of 8:22 this morning we had 50 people with 14 campers sign up.  So much for not much interest in dry camping.  We're full for people and would need to park 8 tow vehicles in the overflow lot.

Update 1/4/07:  Upon reflection and Dee's post about her 30'x21' hybrid :yikes: I think we need to call the limit 10 trailers until after I talk to park staff later this month.  If we can park beyond what appears to be the designated area then there would be room for more.

Update 1/5/07:  BootheBunch had prior plans so they had to cancel.  TheViking and Dee4J are leaning toward cancelling due to the tight conditions.

Jim


Original post:
I kept meaning to make a post here to see who is interested in a dry camp trip but didn't get around to it.  I decided to reserve first and ask questions later.

This morning after 12 minutes of frustration with Reserve America I was successful in making a reservation for the awesome group site at San Clemente State Beach.  It is for the weekend of Friday, July 20 through Sunday, July 22, 2007.

The site is great- out on a point 90' above the beach.  It's well fenced on three sides so nobody will accidently roll down the cliff.  There are several tables with a shade structure over them, a horshoe pit, and awesome views.  The large fire ring is surrounded by 5 wooden benches (with backs even!)  It has a bath house adjacent to it that was in very nice shape and not heavily used when we camped at San Clemente two years ago- almost like a private bath house for the group site.  Wi-Fi access is claimed for the park but no guarantee that it reaches this site.  The site is on its own private loop so ideal for the tricycle set.

The official reservation allows up to 50 people and 20 vehicles, trailers included.  That means 10 popup/tow vehicle combos.  We may be able to handle more than 10 trailer/tow vehicle combos if only trailers park at the site and TV's park in the overflow lot.  I'll confirm this with the park, and do some measuring and planning when I'm in the area later this month for the Doheny Dutch Oven Gathering.  

The parking area at the site is roughly 70' square within the wooden poles.  Bumpers and tent ends could overhang as the poles are about 8' in from the fence.  Other than the 20 vehicle/ 50 person limit it will be up to how close we want to be with each other.

For now anyone interested please put a "dibs" on this thread.  I'm taking one spot, so let's say there are 9 spots and 46 people left.

The fee for two nights was $380.  Divided by 10 families that's $19 per night.  Not really a group discount but it's an awesome private site.  Unfortunately I think it said only one vehicle is included with the fee.  I'll check on the additional fee per vehicle as well.  

This Photo from the California Coastal Records Project  shows the group site on the right.  Click the image to zoom way in.

Google Map/Satellite image of site

Here is the Park Brochure

The only downside for the flush toilet, curling-iron, and microwave set is no hookups.  There should be no need for heat or AC.  Bath houses have plugs for the beautification appliances, as well as flush toilets and hot showers (bring quarters!).  

Okay- maybe one more downside.  There is a railroad track along the foot of the bluff.  I don't think you would hear trains from the trailer area but it's possible.  It's 75 feet below the site and about 150' away from the fence.  The tracks also make me a bit nervous at the beach.

[strikeout]I'm going to give this thread about three weeks to generate interest before deciding whether or not to keep the reservation- if my credit card statement comes and nobody seems interested I'll cancel.[/strikeout] On edit- I guess there's a tiny bit of interest with 6 takers before lunch and 10 by 5:30 PM.  We're a go.  Here I was thinking this group might yawn at a non-sewer equipped campsite.

Attendees:
JimQPublic  2A 2C
Wavery 2A, maybe 2C Grandkids, 1 Bird
Beacher 2A 2C
(maybe out) Dee4J 2A 2C
Hatlet 2A
Cjpoppin 2A
KimRB266 2A 3C (Interested)
Azusateach 2A
GriffsDad/Mom 3A 1C

People count: 31 (50 limit)
RV count: 9
TV count: 9
Vehicle count: 18 (20 limit on site)

"Overflow" list

cb 2A 3C
Estone 2A 3C
(maybe out) TheViking 2A 1C
Sue Hardee 2A

Totals with the Overflow group:
People count: 46 (50 limit)
RV count: 13
TV count: 13
Vehicle count: 26 (20 limit on site)[/COLOR]

[wavery]

We are in FOR SURE.....We are always ready to beach camp and couldn't give a rip about hook-ups

I'll call my brother and see if he wants a site as well.

[beacher]

Ahh, a beach campsite in July!  We are there!  Two adults, two kids, one TV, and one PopUp. :p

[DK&3kids]

Our church has used this site and it is AWESOME!!!  The bathrooms are extremely close, and in our experience, nice and clean.  The view is completely worth the dry camp. I wish we could go - Dan and I will be out of state all that week.  Bummer.

[JimQPublic]

Sorry you can't join us Kristi.  I had edited you into the list and then after posting found you had edited yourself out.

Would a Moderator please sticky this thread?  I'll keep the attendees and pertinent info in the first post.  I guess I'm officially wagon master.

Thanks,
Jim

[PopUpMomma]

Ha Ha.....I laugh because I am still trying to get through by phone or on line to make reservations for July.  We have a reunion beach camping trip every year for the past 20 years and this is the first time we haven't been able to get spots.  Anyone know of a private beach campground between silver strand state beach and doheny or san clemente?

[Dee4j]

Ha Ha.....I laugh because I am still trying to get through by phone or on line to make reservations for July.  We have a reunion beach camping trip every year for the past 20 years and this is the first time we haven't been able to get spots.  Anyone know of a private beach campground between silver strand state beach and doheny or san clemente?

this is why I gave up on beach camping years ago ...we used to try to get 2 spaces and after several hours on 2 phones and nothing


Put me down as a yes 2A 2C ...


This will Force me to get the 12v wiring fixed on the trailer.  with out it NOTHING works including the fridge

[hatlet]

put us down for a space, 2A

[cjpoppin]

Put us down for a spot sounds like lots of fun.........carol

[cjpoppin]

In my excitment forgot to tell you it will be 2A 1dog and a pop up and one tow V.

[kimrb266]

We are interested.  We've been wanting to beach camp for the past couple of years with no success in getting reservations.

[wavery]

We are interested.  We've been wanting to beach camp for the past couple of years with no success in getting reservations.

If you don't mind camping now through May, it's easy to get reservations. We often just drive up to Pt Mugu and show-up without reservations. We've never been turned away but it is risky.

If you show up at 7:AM on Saturday, they will give you a "No Show" space (if available). You can go over to the day-use area until noon, then come back and set up. We have done that on occasion. We have gone to the Reserve America website and see how many vacancies there are. If there are 10+, we feel pretty safe to go on Friday evening and get a spot for the entire weekend.

I'm not recommending it.....I'm just telling you what we have done on occasion. We sometimes go camping on the spur-of-the-moment urge . We haven't had to return home disappointed YET!

[Azusateach]

Put me down, too.  I agree -- can't pass up a beach trip!  We'll work out the alternate Yosemite trip for later in August.  

Probably 2A, 1 dog.

Laura

[kimrb266]

I talked with DH and we are definitely in.  Can't wait.  While we are there, we can visit friends who live in the area.

[BootheBunch]

Oooh, dry camping!  I have only dry camped once in the trailer...O'Neill...and I was miserable.  Dee and Lori probably remember me freaking out over the alarm in the trailer!!!  I thought we were going to die!!

HOWEVER, it is so close...I can always come home to soak up my comforts, if needed.  So, we are in!

2 adults and 2 children.  

Lisa