Although our trip landed on a gloomy 60's weekend weather, that did not take from the enjoyment we had at this state beach park. We stayed at the upper level of the San Simeon campground, which frankly was the better of the 3 available. I prefer to have some quiet, and level one although a bit closer to the beach was a bit more rowdy since it is bigger. Washburn was just plain depressing, maybe some people enjoy the views from up there so they don't mind the lack of trees and unpaved roads, but it just was too sad. Where we stayed at was just right, had beautiful trees, no neighbors behind our sites C13 and C15, and we could see and hear the ocean from where we stayed. The walk to the beach is not short, but who cares (unless you can't walk which is understandable for some people). The lower campsite is also not as close to the beach as one may seem to think, you still have to cross the trail and a stinky creek to get to the shore. So it's going to be a walk no matter what, and the hardest part is indeed the sandy part. At night time we got to hear owls too, see some bats, and cows. There is a cow farm/barn in the distant hills where the cows graze freely. The bathrooms are clean, and for $1.00 you get 12min of a hot shower. We took a drive to elephant seal beach, and got to see them bathing in the sun. On the way there, there is private land off the road where we saw Zebra’s. We were able to snap pics just off from the road, not disturbing the private land. We also saw blue jay's, some other little pretty birds, and squirrels (too friendly hmmmmm).  Wonderful time here, wish it didn't have to end. I loved it that all neighbors were respectful too.