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Camp of the Month

All Photos and Text © Presscom Data Base 1997/2003

 Introduction

The camps listed and reviewed here reflect only our personal opinion, based on our experience either because we stayed in the camp, or because we visited and talk to the host or hostess. I use no rating system. Our preferences go to camps which offer privacy, a natural setting, clean facilities, but also TLC. That they care, not only for our money, but for ..... Higher prices, no problem, but increasingly we have found, free or near-free, national and.... camps to be better kept, better cared for than $20 and over, private camps. Public facilities need better attendance and are doing something about it.

Since we travel without children and have work to do, we avoid "family camps" and "resorts" which put emphasis on kids' activities. I interviewed owners and/or managers whenever I could. Related articles and fellow RVers stories are mentioned in hypertext (i.e. underlined text) which link to the article itself.Prices listed here are current for 198. Some camps do not figure in other guides.

More detailed information about and ratings of these camps can be found in:
- Trailer Life's "Campground/RV Park and Service Directory"
- Woodall's " North American Campground Directory"
- American Automobile Association (Or AAA)'s "CampBook"


Newport Dunes Waterfront Rv Resort, CA
The Newport Dunes first opened in 1958 and was later aquired by San Diego hotelier, Bill Evans. Today, the Evans' 28-year-old daughter, Anne Evans Quinn, still overseas the resort's operations and has created the daily calendar of activities.


The resort Village Center includes a swimming pool, spa, convinience store, recreation rooms, laundry facilities, as well as conference and meeting rooms.

 

(click on the picture)

 

Special: Palm Canyon Resort - Borrego Springs, CA

Dana Point, CA - Doheny State Beach (Public - 120 sites)

Here it's Wheels in the sand - as close to the ocean as you'll ever be. From your bedroom or tent, the view is of a gloriously wide beach of fine white sand and the Pacific beyond. The ocean breeze and the rhythm of the pounding surf, the campfires glowing in the sand, all contributes to a specially romantic evening. And makes it easy to overlooked many things.
- No hook-ups. Even though sites are separated by trees and shrubs, the mix of RV's, tents and families camping right on the sand, next to their vans or 4 by 4's, makes the camp noisy and difficult to keep clean. Not too many places for large rigs. The best spaces we found for our 37-footer are numbers 70 to 75.
We ended up paying $30 (23 + $1 for the dog + $6 for a "second vehicle") because we didn't "tow" our car in. It followed the rig. It should have been attached .
Regular prices are $17 to 23.

Wheels in the sand at Dana Point
Phone (714) 496 6172

Lake Elsinore West Marina, CA - State Recreation Area (Public - 308 sites)
Sweeping camping grounds overlook Lake Elsinore, the largest natural freshwater lake in Southern California, framed by the high-looming Santa Ana mountains. We are met by 11-year old Benjamin (named after Benjamin Franklin, no less) and to him this is paradise. "My mom cooks for the juveniles, up there...", he points to the surrounding mountains." He knows this campsite and he knows rigs: "You're too far off the ground", he advises, checking out our leveling jacks. His dream is to one day go to Vegas or maybe New York, but for now, this camp is home. Some people, like his mom or the local mailman have made this their permanent residence (for only $260 a month.)
These are not retired people, but an active, working group. The atmosphere is lively, congenial, at times even rowdy. Workers returning to camp is cause for nightly celebrations, fishermen arrive early, stay late.

Motor boats and Jet-skis roar, crisscrossing the lake like huge, colored bumble bees.
This is also a favorite meeting place for groups. The day we parked at Lake Elsinore, the Good Sam Club had a "Singles Meeting" and some fifty rigs huddled close in the camp' s special area. An animated breakfast was underway in the large recreation hall.
For such a busy camp, the showers and restroom areas were well kept up and clean.

We paid $18.60 for full hook-ups, including cable TV. Phone: (714) 674 3178

Photo:Benjamin's Mom and the mailman


Emerald Desert and Golf RV Resort, CA - (Private - 614 sites)

Prices are listed at $22 to $41 with a "golf course view".
Tel: 1 (800) 426-4678 & (619) 345-4770
Further from Palm Springs than their publicity leads us to believe, this is an RV resort for golf lovers. Not a championship golf course, but an executive 9-hole facility it caters mostly to large sophisticated rigs, displayed like so many show pieces on concrete slabs, well in view of each other. Definitely no tents here. 614 hookups paved and level, private security, a pro shop, club houses complete with billiard rooms and banquet areas, Mediterranean condos for rent, all contribute to an exclusive resort atmosphere. Elegant green and flowered landscaping features ponds and waterfalls, in sharp contrast to the surrounding desert. When we visited, an elderly group of people in casual, but elegant sportswear was quietly standing in line, awaiting a table for brunch.

Tucalota Springs RV Park & Campground, CA (Private - 60 sites)
In the oak trees of the Temecula foothills, this camp is under the new ownership of Charles Knapp, has reopened a year ago and benefits from recent improvements: the clubhouse, office, store and bathhouse, all have been touched-up or remodeled.

At the time we visited (may of '97), it was not crowded and we had a pleasant wilderness feeling.


We paid $14 for water hook-up only. Full hookup is $20 and an additional $1 for the dog. -Tel: (909) 767 0604

San Mateo Campground, CA (Public - 156 sites)

San Onofre State Beach includes over three miles of unspoiled, undeveloped California coastline. San Mateo is the newer of two campgrounds on this State Beach (the other one is San Onofre Bluffs, mostly for smaller campers and tents). Nearly 70 campsites have electrical and water hookups. Showers and restrooms were fairly clean when we visited in May of '97, and there is a dump station.The sound of nearby canons from a US Marine Camp adds to a feeling of adventure and the great outdoors. Coastal scrub plants, eucalyptus and dense foliage surround a 1 1/2 mile scenic trail that ends on a wide sandy beach known as "Trestles", one of the best surfing spot in the United States. Cottontail rabbits are guaranteed to enliven your walk, while coyotes and mountain lions most likely will keep hidden.

We paid $16 with hookups and the dog. Our favorite site was #23 for privacy and access to the trail.

Tel: (714) 361-2531


El Capitan Ocean Canyon Resort, CA (Private - 235 sites):

All Photos:©PressCom 97/2003

El Capitan Ocean Canyon Resort is a 2,500 acres multileveled wooded camp ground - Maintenance of the grounds and bathrooms is on going and made our stay hassle-free. Our favorite site was H4 because of the broad-topped Coast Live Oak which gave us shade and some privacy
Pleasant trails lead to El Capitan State Beaches.

 

 

Photo right: The busy entrance to the camp


Lake Piru Recreation Area (Private - Over 200 sites on two camps)


The Marina at Lake Piru
Lake Piru, in Ventura County, in the Los Padres National orest , close to the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. Boating , trout and bass fishing , water skying are the main attractions. The camp itself, however is poorly maintained and designed to accomodate as many campers as posible, rather than make the most of its beautiful Olive grove. And expensive: $22 for full-hockups in a cramped, view-less area. In fact, contrary to the hostesses's affirmation there is no good view of the lake anywhere in the camp. Our favorite site was 172E. (Electric only). Plus $2 for the dog, because according the hostess, he stayed 2 days, while we only stayed overnight!!!

Tel: (805) 521- 1500 (Marina: (805) 521-1231


Thornhill Broome Beach Campground (Public - about 60 sites)
On the Malibu Coast, about an hour from LA.


A "primitive" Camp (in Point Mugu State Park), but only $15 in high season and you park right near the wide, sandy, clean beach. Picnic tables are provided. Romantic beach walks and gorgeous sunsets are free!

Reservations : (800) 444-7275 - Day Use: (818) 706-1310


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