Some Pismo questions

[maddog1927]

A friend of mine that i haven't seen in 17 years is coming to town (from Spain) and I'm thinking of taking him to pismo. It's been about 10 years since Ive been there so I have some questions.

1) Should I be reserving the campsite now (mid Aug) ? My preference is to wait till last minute because the plans will be up in the air a bit until then, but I don't want there to be none available, I guess at $10 a night I should just make stab at it.

2) Is the way in still about the same as it was 10 yrs ago, plan the entry and exit around the low tides to not get stuck in the creek?

3) You think 3 nights is about right or a little long? He doesn't have much offroad experience, so it will be mostly in the rhino.

4) Any other popular / enjoyable things to do in the area?

any input would be appreciated.

[sabreguy]

1. For piece of mind I like reserving early, but if it is just one vehicle going in then getting a spot should be easy

2. Yes enter and exit at low tide

3. personal choice on this one ...when we go we like to go for as long as possible, for me three nights would be bare minimum, but we use it as our family vacation

4. Dunno never leave the beach

[maddog1927]

Thanks for the tips Sabre.

When traveling to so cal, I typically stay the night in the Morango casino parking lot, just east of banning. Looking at the tides, it would be helpful to find a place to spend the night west of LA, know of any casino, walmart or other parking lots that are RV friendly?

[maddog1927]

O.K. so the day I'd like to arrive is 8/14 tide table shows low tide at 9:20 am and high tide at 4:19. I'd like to arrive at the dunes between 11 and 12, is this just a little too close to high tide time?

[sabreguy]

You should be golden at 11 or 12

[Kuma]

I was just there a week ago, there was no creek, unless we get some rain I would not expect any issues there.
do you have 4wd? even if you do, air down once you are off the wet sand it is very soft. check out the tide tables for your stay and camp accordingly, if the tide is progressively getting higher for your stay then camp above the current wet sand check out the people around you to see what preparations they are making, not cool waking up in the middle of the night with your rig getting washed to sea.

[iggys-amsoil]

Thanks for the tips Sabre.

When traveling to so cal, I typically stay the night in the Morango casino parking lot, just east of banning. Looking at the tides, it would be helpful to find a place to spend the night west of LA, know of any casino, walmart or other parking lots that are RV friendly?

Well you could park on the side of my house, I think there's room depending if a neighbor takes a spot. I'm about 20 minutes west of Morongo off the 60. Or there is a Walmart where the 60 and 215 come together thats 5 minutes from the house. However I'm still an hour east of LA. and take me about 6hrs from here to their.

Pm for phone #'s if interested.

[maddog1927]

Thanks Iggys, mighty kind of you. Not sure what my final plans are, but looking like I'll head further west.

Kuma, my slogan is "Air Down and Go Around"

OK one more?

Door side of the toyhauler, best toward the sea, away from the sea, or perpendicular?

[Kuma]

Totally your preference on the trailer position, if camped at the water line, most use the rig as a wind break with the door facing away. Last time out I had mine with the back facing the ocean and opened the back door and used as a patio. Would be nice to camp about 20 feet above the high water with the door facing the water but you will need cones and caution tape to protect your campsite, someone may move in right in front.
Get yourself a tarp and bunjies to cover you machines in the evening, they will get wet, and if it has any bare metal it will rust.

[hoofarted]

Totally your preference on the trailer position, if camped at the water line, most use the rig as a wind break with the door facing away. Last time out I had mine with the back facing the ocean and opened the back door and used as a patio. Would be nice to camp about 20 feet above the high water with the door facing the water but you will need cones and caution tape to protect your campsite, someone may move in right in front.
Get yourself a tarp and bunjies to cover you machines in the evening, they will get wet, and if it has any bare metal it will rust.

The times I went, I have had the back of the trailer to the ocean. Make sure you get as high up on the dune as possible. You really dont want your front door facing the ocean unless you are way up on the dune due to the constant wind. Also, rip down some 4x8 sheets of plywood in half to use as a wind breaker at the bottom of your rig so the wind wont undermine you. And Kuma is right about people encroaching on your area. Although against the rules, stake off your area.

Some helpful tips:

http://www.ccwheelers.com/mobile/camping.html

Have fun!

[maddog1927]

thanks for all the advice guys. I'm here now and loving it. Can't believe I waited so long to come back. The dunes are quite choppy though.

[lewisclan]

Lucky dog