Carpinteria SB is one of our favorite places to camp. Anacapa and Santa Cruz sections are all dry camping and larger sites. The other two sections have hook up sites but the sites are very tight. Anacapa section is right next to a large grassy area and park. We like to take our dog to play fetch there and we take out daughter to the park at least a few times a day. Dogs are allowed in the campground but not on the beach, so the grassy area by the park is a great alternative if your dog has a lot of energy. The town of Carpinteria is super cute with lots of shops and restaurants to walk to. Island Brewery is walking distance. They usually have a food truck in the later afternoons and also have a little kids room with toys to keep the kids busy :-)
I would say the only downfall is the train is right next to the campground and it does go by multiple times a day/night
We camped at Cava Robles about 6 months after it opened. We saw the two pools which were very nice. Didn't use them because it was too cold (we were there in February). They also have at least two dog parks and took our high energy dog there to run. They also have a great playground for the kids. There is also a little hiking/walking trail around the campground.
We camped here once in May; although the best time to go is in the later summer-fall for the warmest weather. All the campsites are parallel to the beach but on a busy road. We had a dog and newly walking baby with us, so we REALLY had to keep an eye on both of them. We brought little baby gates which helped. The only way to get down to the beach is to walk down the big rocks. Some sites have a very easy access to the beach and some not so much. You're also a few miles from downtown Ventura for a night out and live music.
We've been do this campground multiple times all throughout the year; although the best time to go is in the later summer-fall for the warmest weather. All the campsites have an ocean view and the staircase to the beach is in the campground. There is also a little cafe that serves breakfast and lunch. BEST breakfast burritos and hamburgers!! You're also a few miles from downtown Ventura for a night out and live music.