How to Vacation at Leo Carrillo State Park
Have you ever gone to the beach, picked up starfish, took a nap on the sand, walked down to your campsite and roasted marshmallows all in the same day? If not, this is the perfect place to do so. Leo Carillo is one of California's State Parks. The campground is great, with plenty of trees, campfire pits, and a general store in the middle of the campground. The beach is just walking distance away, with lagoons, hiking/biking trails, and lots of sea life, including starfish, crabs, even octopus. This is the perfect vacation for families and single folk alike!
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- 7 months advance reservation
- tent
- burner/mini stove top
- coffee kettle
- a rake or broom of some kind
- astroturf or tarp for an area for your shoes
- firewood
- food and coolers
- a small cooler to carry to the beach
- water shoes (for the beach)
- the normal sundries for camping
- towels
- extra clothes and underwear
- sunscreen
- beach mats
- bike (optional)
- board games (optional)
- dominoes (optional)
- sketchbook (optional)
- sneakers and flip flops
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Reservations and the First Day of Camp
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1
Make your reservations seven months in advance. The cost per day is anywhere from $15 to $25 depending on when you book and for what dates. You can call them at (818) 880-0363 or make online reservations at http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=616
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2
Get to the campground to reserve your spot EARLY! The gate opens at 7:00 AM, but there usually is a line, so get there around 6:30 am if you want the best spot. Once you've reserved your space, you have to go in and pick it out. When you've found the perfect spot, go back to the registration people and tell them the spot you want. Once you have registered and paid, you are ready to set up.Only 3 vehicles are allowed to park at the site. All additional vehicles can park at a parking lot close to the beach, but walking distance of the camp.
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3
Set up camp. Make sure you smooth out where you set your tent up so that you're not sleeping on rocks. Set up your tent. Set up a little area with astroturf or extra tarp in front of your tent for shoes so that the inside of your tent doesn't get dusty. Make sure you put your food in coolers or containers where animals cannot get to them. Also, keep juice put away. There are bees in the area. Set up your stove top and make some coffee. I would bring something easy to make for this first breakfast, like cereal or granola bars. You will be tired after setting everything up.
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4
Relax for the rest of the day. Go for a bike ride or walk around the camp. Check out the general store to see what they carry. You can even take a shower at the end of the day. Nighttime is for campfires. End the day with a campfire and maybe some roasted marshmallows and hot dogs.
The Beach!
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1
Wake up to the smell of burnt out campfires, the sun just coming up and birds chirping. It gets even better when you start cooking breakfast. Eggs and bacon with some hash browns or beans is perfect to start your day. Drink a good cup of coffee and you're ready to go. Relax for a bit before you start getting ready for the beach.
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2
Get ready to go to the beach. Pack your cooler with things to drink and eat, like cold cuts, sandwiches, or chips. Make sure to bring some water. Pack your towels and beach mats, sunglasses, sunscreen, put your swimsuit and flip flops on and head for the beach. Just follow the path from your campsite to the trail past the main parking lot and under a bridge. You can see the beach and smell the ocean air from here. If you brought a bike, there are trails to go bike riding here. Set up your spot and have fun! When the tide goes out, you will be able to walk along the coral and see lots of sea creatures, like starfish, crabs, and if you're lucky, an octopus or two. Don't forget to put on water shoes
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3
Walk back to your camp and get ready for another campfire night. Have a good night under the stars. Depending on how long you stay, the beach and campground offer much to do. Contact the rangers as well, for storytelling under the stars in the auditorium, wildlife hiking, and other things. Have fun and make sure not to forget anything as you pack up to go home!
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Tips & Warnings
Leo Camarillo SP now has AT&T WiFi service if you really can't be disconnected.
Bring your watershoes! Many spots in the ocean have rocks and if you want to walk along the coral to see sea life, you will need them.
Be safe with your campfires and put them out before you go to sleep.
Bring an extra blanket or two. It can get cold in the wilderness at night.
Bring lots of water. The hiking, the biking, the swimming, can make you very thirsty and soda is not the best thing to rehydrate your body.
Remember that you are in the wilderness where there are animals. Do not leave food lying about that will attract them.
Keep juice enclosed. You will attract bees.
Wear flip flops in the showers. You don't want to get someone else's athlete's foot.
Wear sunscreen!
No dogs or alcohol are allowed onto the beach. Do not bring any.
