Paipo Gathering - Oct 8-10, 2017

[rodndtube]

Anyone interested in getting together again in the Ventura to Cambria stretch of the coast in early October? Thinking about 2-3 days between Friday, Oct 6 and Tue, Oct 10th. About 2 years earlier (Oct 2015) we met up at the Ocean Mesa El Capitan campground (just up the road from Santa Barbara, north or west depending upon your perspective), mostly arriving on Sunday and leaving on Tuesday, as most of us could arrange our schedules and avoid the weekend crowd. With plenty of advance planning we probably can get some campsites.

UPDATE of April 2, 2017: El Capitan State Park reservations were/are being made for arrival on Sun, Oct 8, departing Tue, Oct 10, 2017. Checkin Time: 2:00 pm, Checkout Time: 12:00 pm. Max 3 vehicles (a trailer is counted as a vehicle), first vehicle included in campsite price, others pay the $10 day fee. 3 tent/8 person max per site. Campsite price for two nights is $94 ($4 off for senior discount)

#17 Reserved by Poobah. Had to cancel 9/19/17.
#19 Reserved by Rod. Camping at spot include Kage and jbw4600
#21 Reserved by Pes. Camping at spot include SJB and ________ (open space).

Ted is a maybe (down from "strong maybe").

[Nels]

That El Cap private lux campground got taken out in a mudslide this winter. October is a while off so maybe they will be reopened. It still looked thrashed from the highway two weeks ago.

https://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?nid=180426

It would be fun to finally make some kind of get-together, although Oct is way too far off for me to make plans.

Nels

[rodndtube]

It appears that the Capitan State Park is open -- nothing to indicate otherwise on the Calif. state parks website or their booking agent's website. Also noteworthy is many campsites are still available -- think the loop nearest the point even has a couple of adjacent campsites available. Up to 8 people, 3 tents and/or 3 vehicles are allowed on most of these sites although only the first car is covered in the daily campsite fee.

I suspect that if we wait several months that these sites will be booked. If and when there are any takers we could try booking two adjacent sites, or close to each other.

Also open to any other suggestions such as down towards Ventura or up towards Morro Bay, but would need some local knowledge.

[Pes78]

Their website says they're open. http://www.oceanmesa.com/ I'm down for it, was planning on doing something up that way around that time.

[rodndtube]

El Capitán State Beach

See various information items including "Brochures" for campsites map and general brochure
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=601

For campsite booking:
https://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/ ... 20030#sr_a

Campsite photos:
http://www.campsitephotos.com/campgroun ... tate-Beach

Campsite is $45/nite for one-vehicle; 3 vehicle max at a site, 8 people max at a site. Appears to be $10 for each additional vehicle (assume that being the day use fee). Brochures states hot showers.

Beyond that I wouldn't know how the Ocean Mesa site compares to the State Park campground. Ocean Mesa appears to include a pool, spa and WiFI, @$65/nite.

[SJB]

El Cap is a great wave when it is firing....but it is fickle. Pes you stay at Hobsons frequently when you are here. Below Santa Barbara....above Ventura....more surfing options given the West facing Ventura spots....south facing Santa Barbara spots. Smaller camground but right on the water and Hobsons itself goes off from time to time. Any thoughts on that prospect Pes?

[SJB]

http://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Hobson-County-Park

Not first choice for surf......but a more central location with closer access to other options than El Cap.

[rodndtube]

El Cap is a great wave when it is firing....but it is fickle. Pes you stay at Hobsons frequently when you are here. Below Santa Barbara....above Ventura....more surfing options given the West facing Ventura spots....south facing Santa Barbara spots. Smaller camground but right on the water and Hobsons itself goes off from time to time. Any thoughts on that prospect Pes?

I am open to other locations in the Ventura to Morro Bay stretch. However, I would strongly prefer making an advance reservation and all such sites at Hobsons have already been claimed.

[SJB]

Figures.
Another option:
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=599
Don't get me wrong....El Cap is a stellar wave....always happy to give it a go.
I will stand down and await decision.

[rodndtube]

Figures.
Another option:
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=599
Don't get me wrong....El Cap is a stellar wave....always happy to give it a go.
I will stand down and await decision.

Most of the campsites have been picked over and remaining sites have restrictions such as "one small tent." Others where I did not see that restriction really looked like RV-only type sites with not much room between the picnic table next to the curb and a few feet back, a fence.

Keep hunting! Appreciate your assistance, SJB.

Thus far the El Cap State Park looks to be the most flexible (e.g., 3 cars/tents at a site and more "country" than "city").

The drive between Capitan and Ventura wasn't bad... if Pes is up to grabbing those two side-by-side sites at El Cap State Park then I would be a-go.

[SJB]

Nothing wrong with El Cap...I am splitting hairs. I am a go but probably only one night...happy to pay for two.

[Pes78]

If we were to do Hobsons or Faria which is the next campground further south and a bigger campground in October both are first come first serve. After October you can reserve spots at Hobsons. Two cars per site with WiFi and it's $36 in season $30 off season. Hobsons is a bit tight though but is pretty central to going North or South. Just reread your posts Rod and these campgrounds are already full?

Ok I was wondering why the campgrounds are full. It's Columbus Day weekend so if we push it back to during the week El Cap has plenty of spots.

[rodndtube]

Pes, the Hobsons is booked all week in the advanced reservation section and it looks mostly like RV-oriented. The Faria is first-come, first-served. Given my schedule is a bit in a box I can't go later into the week. If it is okay with you let's go with the El Capitan State Park as there are actually a few spots clustered together with grass for tents and flat pavement for van camping. It isn't as central but it is a nice setting... and available.

[rodndtube]

Pes, the Hobsons is booked all week in the advanced reservation section and it looks mostly like RV-oriented. The Faria is first-come, first-served. Given my schedule is a bit in a box I can't go later into the week. If it is okay with you let's go with the El Capitan State Park as there are actually a few spots clustered together with grass for tents and flat pavement for van camping. It isn't as central but it is a nice setting... and available.

Arrive: Oct 8, Checkout: Oct 10, 2017
I am looking at Campsite #19:
http://www.campsitephotos.com/campgroun ... apitan-019
Registration site:
https://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/ ... 20030#sr_a

[Pes78]

I saw the El Cap spots but they are handicapped ones. Not sure if we could reserve them. I'll call tomorrow and find out if we can use those spots.

[rodndtube]

I saw the El Cap spots but they are handicapped ones. Not sure if we could reserve them. I'll call tomorrow and find out if we can use those spots.

#17, #19, #21 and #22 are not handicapped. #20 is handicapped.

[Pes78]

Ok those dates have a better selection, wasn't sure what dates you were looking at. Should we just get two sites? I'm in the middle of changing banks right now so might take a day or two get money to reserve.

Yeah I saw that I was looking at the weekend earlier that had the handicapped sites

[rodndtube]

Ok those dates have a better selection, wasn't sure what dates you were looking at. Should we just get two sites? I'm in the middle of changing banks right now so might take a day or two get money to reserve.

Yeah I saw that I was looking at the weekend earlier that had the handicapped sites

Yes, check-in on Sunday Oct 8 and check-out on Tuesday Oct 10. They have quite an availability but that campground group is at least slightly closer to the Point. Of course, folks can stay longer if they wish.

[Pes78]

ok I'll see about getting a site in a day or two and see how much interest there is. I usually make a trip up that around that time so it's all good with me.

[rodndtube]

James indicated an interest to me (but wasn't able to log-in but could view the forums). I suspect kage will be interested as well. I will go ahead and reserve #19.