Calif Coast tour, but campgrounds closed.
10-19-20, 11:54 AM
#27
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in a related story, I once stayed at a just recently closed French campsite, only people there were the two caretaker guys in their little trailer. They were happy as clams to have company, fed me supper and wine all evening. Staggered into my tent very late that night. A memorable day that started with seeing a neat grape wine harvest festival, having a neat encounter with some gypsies when I mistakenly rode into their camp, then ending with the friendly camp guys and all their wine.
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10-19-20, 01:43 PM
#28
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https://www.outsideonline.com/241123...l-parks-impact
https://www.inquirer.com/news/corona...-20200403.html
.https://time.com/5869788/national-parks-covid-19/
Last edited by indyfabz; 10-19-20 at 01:48 PM.
10-19-20, 02:20 PM
#29
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First off let me say, I did not sneak onto closed National Park lands but I did but talk to those that had. Most were local climbers and hikers that often did back-country travel throughout the area. I also talked to rangers who knew people were backpacking while the parks were closed. I kinda got the feel that they knew that those using the park understood the park and rules. During shutdown the rangers were also telling us how best to acquire water during the shutdown, which in the southwest is key. I didn't see a Gov crackdown.
In the Southwest when back-country traveling (hiking/biking/paddling) one should pack EVERYTHING out period. That is how it is done, so no excrement should be left. I have done it on all my trips, I hate it but do it. It is essential in the SW of the U.S. Groover tubes are the only way one can do it. In other parts of the country burying it is fine.
I have found that parks (state, county, fed) have closed bathrooms during Covid but have often installed port-a-potty's to replace them.
Stealth camping, which may be considered dishonest/illegal in the U.S. is not in many parts of the world.
I am a firm believer of leaving no trace, pack it out and if people follow this I see no problem camping in closed parks.
In the Southwest when back-country traveling (hiking/biking/paddling) one should pack EVERYTHING out period. That is how it is done, so no excrement should be left. I have done it on all my trips, I hate it but do it. It is essential in the SW of the U.S. Groover tubes are the only way one can do it. In other parts of the country burying it is fine.
I have found that parks (state, county, fed) have closed bathrooms during Covid but have often installed port-a-potty's to replace them.
Stealth camping, which may be considered dishonest/illegal in the U.S. is not in many parts of the world.
I am a firm believer of leaving no trace, pack it out and if people follow this I see no problem camping in closed parks.
10-20-20, 08:55 PM
#30
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It's amazing how heavily-patrolled a closed NP is. I think they patrol them even more when they are closed.
I think this is absurd, FWIW, since the land is ours not theirs. But that's what will happen if you mess with the feds, they will crush you like a bug every chance they get.
I think this is absurd, FWIW, since the land is ours not theirs. But that's what will happen if you mess with the feds, they will crush you like a bug every chance they get.
the White House is “ours” also but it doesn’t entitle you to just walk in.
10-28-20, 06:11 PM
#31
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I'm on the coast right now, and almost every campground is open. In fact, Gaviota is open ONLY for cyclists. Stayed two days. Hiked the mountain trails. Both the sunrise and sunset can be seen over the water this time of year During low tide, the walk down the coast is stunning. Incredible. Has a hot spring too (2+ mile hike).
Hurry up though, they will cost Big Sur off as soon as the first rain comes this year. It will stay closed until spring.
Hurry up though, they will cost Big Sur off as soon as the first rain comes this year. It will stay closed until spring.
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10-30-20, 07:02 AM
#32
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Are you typically paying the hiker/biker rate, or full-pop for camping?
I'm on the coast right now, and almost every campground is open. In fact, Gaviota is open ONLY for cyclists. Stayed two days. Hiked the mountain trails. Both the sunrise and sunset can be seen over the water this time of year During low tide, the walk down the coast is stunning. Incredible. Has a hot spring too (2+ mile hike).
Hurry up though, they will cost Big Sur off as soon as the first rain comes this year. It will stay closed until spring.
Hurry up though, they will cost Big Sur off as soon as the first rain comes this year. It will stay closed until spring.
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10-30-20, 09:28 AM
#34
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Oh yeah, it probably is worth noting that all the campgrounds in Big Sur are closed--even Phifer. All of the day areas are also closed (Phifer's open for day use) And since they're being used for Cal Fire, you can't even go in to rest. This means, from Monterey to San Simeon, no camping, to say nothing of HB spots; however, there's several outstanding stealth spots past Big Phifer.
Point Magu also closed their HB. I dont know why they did. In Phifer, it was because the trees are falling everywhere in the campground. In Leo Castillo, however, ten miles down, I have the whole HB to myself. They are allowing only one group at a time. One cyclist equals one group. What I did was tell them about the other cyclists in front and behind me that I met over the weeks that may be close, because since they had contact with me, they would count as part of my group and be allowed in. One came yesterday, and no others (that I know) came after me, so I consider myself lucky.
On a side note, the homeless problem that plagued the Pacific HBs, is no longer a thing.
Point Magu also closed their HB. I dont know why they did. In Phifer, it was because the trees are falling everywhere in the campground. In Leo Castillo, however, ten miles down, I have the whole HB to myself. They are allowing only one group at a time. One cyclist equals one group. What I did was tell them about the other cyclists in front and behind me that I met over the weeks that may be close, because since they had contact with me, they would count as part of my group and be allowed in. One came yesterday, and no others (that I know) came after me, so I consider myself lucky.
On a side note, the homeless problem that plagued the Pacific HBs, is no longer a thing.
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11-03-20, 06:51 AM
#35
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Most of the CA state parks are open south of SFO. The campgrounds require reservations. No hiker biker sites because that is considered group camping.
Here is my list of campgrounds SFO-SAN. If they are marked hiker-biker they also have reg camp sites. Military ones will req a DOD ID. First number is total miles from start. Second number is miles from preceding campground.
PACIFIC COAST ROUTE CAMPGROUNDS, HOSTEL, MILITARILY LODGING
000/000
Colma Bart station
026/026
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Hiker-Biker
048/022
Pigeon Point Light House
Hostel
083/035
New Brighton State Beach
Hiker-Biker
128/045
Navy Lodge Monterey
Military lodging
131/003
Monterey Veterans Memorial Park
Hiker-Biker
133/002
Navy Post Graduate School Monterey
Military-Lodging
136/003
IHG Army Hotel Monterey
Military-Lodging
169/033
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Hiker-Biker
198/025
Kirk Creek Campground
Camping (no water or showers)
203/005
Plaskett Creek Campground
Camping (no showers)
238/035
Hearst San Simeon State Park
Hiker Biker
265/0027
Morro Bay State Park
Hiker-Biker
273/008
El Chorro Regional Park
Camping
275/002
Camp San Louis Obispo
Military-camping military-Lodging
293/018
Pismo State Beach/North Beach Campground
Camping
295/002
Coastal Dunes RV Park
Hiker-Biker
296/001
Oceano Campground
Camping
339/043
Vandenberg AFB
Military-Camping. Military-Lodging
381/042
Refugio State Beach
Hiker-Biker
384/003
EL Capitan State Beach
Hiker-Biker
416/032
Carpinteria State Beach
Hiker-Biker
439/023
McGrath State Beach
Hiker-Biker
448/009
Navy Lodge Port Hueneme
Military-Lodging
454/006
NAS Point Mugu
Military-Lodging. Military-Camping
456/002
Point Mugu State Park
Hiker-Biker
460/004
Leo Carrillo State Park
Hiker-Biker
487/0027
Hi Los Angels Santa Monica Hostel
Hostel
516/0029
Fort MacArthur
Military-Lodging
554/0038
Crystal Cove State Park
Camping
568/014
Doheny State Park
Hiker-Biker
595/027
Pendleton Pacific Views Lodge
Military-Lodging
611/016
San Elijah State Beach
Camping
637/026
SanDiego
Military-Lodging
Here is my list of campgrounds SFO-SAN. If they are marked hiker-biker they also have reg camp sites. Military ones will req a DOD ID. First number is total miles from start. Second number is miles from preceding campground.
PACIFIC COAST ROUTE CAMPGROUNDS, HOSTEL, MILITARILY LODGING
000/000
Colma Bart station
026/026
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Hiker-Biker
048/022
Pigeon Point Light House
Hostel
083/035
New Brighton State Beach
Hiker-Biker
128/045
Navy Lodge Monterey
Military lodging
131/003
Monterey Veterans Memorial Park
Hiker-Biker
133/002
Navy Post Graduate School Monterey
Military-Lodging
136/003
IHG Army Hotel Monterey
Military-Lodging
169/033
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Hiker-Biker
198/025
Kirk Creek Campground
Camping (no water or showers)
203/005
Plaskett Creek Campground
Camping (no showers)
238/035
Hearst San Simeon State Park
Hiker Biker
265/0027
Morro Bay State Park
Hiker-Biker
273/008
El Chorro Regional Park
Camping
275/002
Camp San Louis Obispo
Military-camping military-Lodging
293/018
Pismo State Beach/North Beach Campground
Camping
295/002
Coastal Dunes RV Park
Hiker-Biker
296/001
Oceano Campground
Camping
339/043
Vandenberg AFB
Military-Camping. Military-Lodging
381/042
Refugio State Beach
Hiker-Biker
384/003
EL Capitan State Beach
Hiker-Biker
416/032
Carpinteria State Beach
Hiker-Biker
439/023
McGrath State Beach
Hiker-Biker
448/009
Navy Lodge Port Hueneme
Military-Lodging
454/006
NAS Point Mugu
Military-Lodging. Military-Camping
456/002
Point Mugu State Park
Hiker-Biker
460/004
Leo Carrillo State Park
Hiker-Biker
487/0027
Hi Los Angels Santa Monica Hostel
Hostel
516/0029
Fort MacArthur
Military-Lodging
554/0038
Crystal Cove State Park
Camping
568/014
Doheny State Park
Hiker-Biker
595/027
Pendleton Pacific Views Lodge
Military-Lodging
611/016
San Elijah State Beach
Camping
637/026
SanDiego
Military-Lodging
11-03-20, 06:54 AM
#36
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On a side note, the homeless problem that plagued the Pacific HBs, is no longer a thing.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the info. I didn't realize homeless were a problem at the HBs. Sad to see the big sur segment with few options, but thanks for the up to date intel.
Thanks for the info. I didn't realize homeless were a problem at the HBs. Sad to see the big sur segment with few options, but thanks for the up to date intel.
11-03-20, 06:56 AM
#37
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I'm on the coast right now, and almost every campground is open. In fact, Gaviota is open ONLY for cyclists. Stayed two days. Hiked the mountain trails. Both the sunrise and sunset can be seen over the water this time of year During low tide, the walk down the coast is stunning. Incredible. Has a hot spring too (2+ mile hike).
Hurry up though, they will cost Big Sur off as soon as the first rain comes this year. It will stay closed until spring.
Hurry up though, they will cost Big Sur off as soon as the first rain comes this year. It will stay closed until spring.
11-03-20, 08:36 AM
#38
Member
I never went. My first day there was me setting up my tent and sleeping. The next day, I went on a hike in the mountains and saw it on the map. Later, I went on a hike down the coast during low tide instead. Two of the best hikes I can remember. You can go for a couple of miles south down the coast with uplifted Monterey shale cliffs along it the whole way.
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