Camping and Biking in the area?

[gurp13]

My wife and I are considering a camping trip to a beach this summer. I got the brainwave that maybe I could camp *and* get some rides in. Any places that have beaches and good trails to ride on?

[dstepper]

Montana de Oro
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=592

Pt. Mugu
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=630

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Montana de Oro

Pt. Mugu

Those look interesting. Are there any good trails in and around the Santa Barbara area? I was also thinking about the Orange County areas or San Diego.

My wife and kids love the beach. I love the trails. Maybe everyone will be happy.

[Pain Freak]

In Santa Barbara area there are some really awesome trails, but they are mostly of the advanced rider class. Still there is some other good riding over there on their front range. Jesusita is a trail that is very nice and would be okay for novice riders. There are some more that are fairly easy, but does have some climbing. I'd avoid Tunnel and Cold Springs till you get some more saddle time in.

[gurp13]

What about the Central Coast? San Simeon? I looked at Montana de Oro and the (sort) strike against it is the primitive facilities. My lady likes a shower every other day, at least.

[CC]

Originally Posted by gurp13

What about the Central Coast? San Simeon? I looked at Montana de Oro and the (sort) strike against it is the primitive facilities. My lady likes a shower every other day, at least.

I have a map of a coastal ride from San Simeon to Pismo Beach, about 50mi, but it is a road ride. If you want i can check with my brother who lives up there and is a mountain boarder, he know a lot of trails.

[silentak1]

Santa Barbara trails = advanced level
Few camp sites in SB... check out www.reserveamerica.com

Morro Bay is a nice place. In fact, i'm planning on spending a few days next both in that area.
San Simeon and Cambria don't offer much mtn biking but they are beautiful places. San Simeon Park has non-primitive sites but its 30-50m north of Morro Bay.

From what i've driven thru, the Central coast doesn't offer a huge selection of mtn biking; instead its a road cyclist's paradise. If someone has more info or can give us some more tips, please share!

I'm planning on being around that area mid June.

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by cyclecc

I have a map of a coastal ride from San Simeon to Pismo Beach, about 50mi, but it is a road ride. If you want i can check with my brother who lives up there and is a mountain boarder, he know a lot of trails.

Thanks, that'd be swanky!

[dstepper]

Take a good look at Pt. Mugu, it is close and the Guadalasca and Backbone Trails are excellent singletracks. Hell Hill is properly named. If you want a large copy of the map e-mail me.

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Take a good look at Pt. Mugu, it is close and the Guadalasca and Backbone Trails are excellent singletracks. Hell Hill is properly named. If you wany a large copy of the map e-mail me.

What do you think of the camping there? As soon as I mentioned Pt. Mugu, my wife said, "Isn't that the military base? I don't want to camp on a base." They want a nice beach and stuff. What do you think?

Pt. Mugu is a nice area.

[Sprockethead]

Originally Posted by gurp13

What about the Central Coast? San Simeon? I looked at Montana de Oro and the (sort) strike against it is the primitive facilities. My lady likes a shower every other day, at least.

Montana de Oro is primitive and chilly. We camped there a few years ago and the riding is fun to boost. You can head over to Moro Bay State Park which is about a 10-15min drive from Montana De Oro. I think showers are around a buck. You can camp at Moro Bay State park and drive over to Montana De Oro, but I kinda enjoy the seclusion of MDO. BTW, MDO is atleast 10-15 degrees cooler than Morro Bay State Park at night.

[gurp13]

I might think about Morro Bay, too. The wife hasn't been (nor the kids, for that matter) to Hearst Castle. Pt. Mugu sounds better now. I just would like a nice beach for the kids to play on while I ride. Wife happy. Kids happy. Dad happy.

Aaah. Nice.

[dstepper]

Pt. Mugo camping is right across the Highway 1 from the beach and riding is right out of the campground. I did not go down on the beach but I can tell you that is is sandy and not rock. It really is a nice area, with great surfing very near by. Besides you are only maybe a half hour drive north of Malibu.

[gurp13]

I think I'll see about reservations there at Mugu. I guess that, worst-case scenario, if we don't like it we can leave. That's the beauty of camping. It's cheap. Thanks dstepper, JLMTB, Pain Freak, cyclecc, silentak, Sprockethead, Pennywise and everybody else for your help.

[CC]

Originally Posted by gurp13

I think I'll see about reservations there at Mugu. I guess that, worst-case scenario, if we don't like it we can leave. That's the beauty of camping. It's cheap. Thanks dstepper, JLMTB, Pain Freak, cyclecc, silentak, Sprockethead, Pennywise and everybody else for your help.

Anytime, lemmeno if you need mo' info. Cayacus is a small beach town between Morral Bay and Cambria. it's nice a quiet, and pretty receiptive to vacationers, ride horses on the beach there all the time.