PROS

• Really remote! Definitely a bit of a detour off the main highway. Because it’s off the beaten path, it makes it a bit of a hidden gem.

• Jamala Grill!!! It’s home of the “world famous” burgers and it’s surprisingly good. I was skeptical of the hype, but it’s super good. I love the sauce, the way the lettuce is cut, and pickled.

• The camp store is super clutch! I was really resisting purchasing anything from the store because it’s pricey (you pay a convenience up charge) but I found myself itching for snow cones and cookies. The staff is friendly and the store has almost everything you can think of for campers when you’re in a pinch!

• Showers are really nice. They are individual small stalls, but there are plenty. There was 10 showers available (at least by me, not sure if there are more) and it’s $1 for 3 minutes which is plenty if you’re efficient. They only take quarters which you can get from the store. So much better than campground that require special tokens. Each shower stall comes with a decent sized bench in the “dry room” to set your items down and plenty of hooks for hanging. They were surprisingly clean!

• Beach access! It’s sooo nice being able to walk right over the dunes and be right at the ocean. That’s prime waterfront real estate! YOU MUST CHECK OUT THE BEACH AT NIGHT! There is bioluminescent algae in the water so the waves light up bright blue as they break. It’s incredible! The highlight of my trip. UNREAL

• Plenty of “first come first serve” sites available for people looking for a place on the CA coast in a pinch. You can call the day before to check how many are still available and come the next day at 6am to claim one. I arrived on a Wednesday morning around 10am and there were 3 sites still available. Obviously your chances are slimmer closer to the weekend.

• Great place for children! They built a playground 3 years ago near the camp store and it’s amazing. It’s still very new and it’s a parent’s dream. Just pull up a camp chair, bring a cooler full of beer, and enjoy the view of the ocean while your kids entertain themselves.

CONS:

• Windyyyyyyy! My god if is insanely windy here. I have a pop up tent camper and the whole thing rattled all night. I can’t imagine sleeping in a real tent here. I heard campers waking up in the middle of the night to strap down their gear. Chairs, awnings, trash, toys are scattered everywhere in the morning. Just beware and take the extra time to tidy up your site regularly to prevent your stuff from blowing away.

• Site sizes are small and very close together. If you’re lucky, grab a spot by a hedge. I was in site 5 and it was nice because the large hedge broke the wind a little. But this place is basically a parking lot. No privacy at all.

• Sunny with very little shade to be found. Prepare for the beaming sun. We found a tarp in our gear box and made a quick canopy as protection from the sun. There are no large structures of trees (only palm trees) that provide any shade.

• No reception. The campground provides a guest Wi-Fi but the connection is very poor. It’s fine for texting and making some calls, but that’s it. Not so much a negative, but if you’re working remote, something to consider.

• Weekends are very crowded. We arrived on a Wednesday and it was so serene and quiet. By Friday the day use area was full. Not a free parking spot in site. That means the toilets are in constant use and the camp store is busy. If you want to try eating at the grill, plan ahead by ordering early.