I was on my way back from Santa Barbara's only RV park, er... parking lot; Sunrise today, headed south towards L.A. when I passed the Seacliff exit off of the 1/101. Shortly after that I saw dozens and dozens of RVs of all sorts parked on a street right next to the beach off to the right between the ocean and the freeway. There where people with dogs off leash in the surf, people were hanging out on the sand, and many seemed to be over-night parked, if you know what I mean.I've been researching places to go in SoCal for years now, why can't I find info on this?It was Friday, and I still saw several places I could have parked. If I had known the traffic I was going to hit in LA (It's been a few years since I got caught in the 4 to 7 traffic jams) I would have done the half hour u-turn and went back.Has anyone been to this place? Are those people allowed to stay overnight? Can you set up a generator, or would that be pushing it? And was that guy with the dogs breaking some law?

Haven't been to that exact beach, but I know its more relaxed north of LA than it is down around SD. There is a dog park where they can run loose in San D (Ocean beach park). But we camped out in Cayucos right at the beach and nobody said a word. Everyone's dogs were loose. I also saw a few loose dogs at Cambria, and Moonstone beach. There is also a little Rv park in Cayucos (Bella Vista mobile lodge). At Pismo people also let their dogs loose. At Avila everyone had there dog on a leash but you could take them out on the pier. I may not be much help to you, but that's been my experience.

There are many day use areas up there as well as one over night. I seriously doubt you saw open space on a Friday, more than likely it was one of several pullout / trash can areas that are pretty wide. During the summer when school is out, and often any time it's warm in the winter the place fills up completely. Don't ever head there in the summer and expect to find a spot. It may literally take a day or two just to get lucky, if then.

I've stayed there many times over the years. Last time was a few years back when it was $20.00 (money box) Very tight with a toad. In fact you may have to unhook depending on size. Unlike a park, there are no rules other than what would be normal at the beach. Unleashed dogs doesn't seem to be a problem. Get a spot early on the weekends. It's a very nice stop. Very close and tight spaces for generator use, just be considerate. Some spots require minor rock climbing and short stroll to the beach. All good spots, but some are better.

What you saw just past the Seacliff exit was Rincon ParkwayIt has 127 first come first serve campsites. That link will tell all about it.Almost imposable to get into in the summer. HERE is some pictures of it.

You saw Rincon. It's maintained by County of Ventura. Met a couple last weekend who returned from there and said there were at least 7 open spots the whole weekend.

Seacliff, California, road side RV parking by the beach

34 Replies

Rmack1
Explorer
Nov 22, 2016
We saw the Green Flash! In a book by Joseph Wambaugh, he mentions a phenomenon that happens occasionally as the sun is setting in the ocean at certain climes at certain times of the year. It happens just as the sun disappears into the ocean. It was only a split second. I suspect that as the sun set, it was shinning through the top layer of sea water, but it was there.
Rmack1
Explorer
Nov 21, 2016
Woo-hoo! I got into Rincon! Totally impossible in the Summer, nearly impossible any other time of the year, they say.

It is so gorgeous here. November? It's like in the 70's!
UsualSuspect
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
D.E.Bishop wrote:
Here you go, I took this so I had a copy in the glove box.

There are a couple of other spots but you have to pay for a membership in our secrete club first. The direction for joining are writen on Google Earth, I'd give you the coordinates but what fun would that be.

They changed the 7 day limit mentioned on the sign to a 5 day limit during the summer to try and give folks a better shot at a spot. There are groups that will grab a spot, then friends\coworkers\etc would rotate through the spot every 7 days via a signup sheet. I doubt it stopped the practice, but the County said during the last hearings where they lowered it to 5 days, that they may go to a 3 day limit, and you can only camp once every 60 days or 90 days because it is for everyone's use on a first come/first serve basis, not just a few that rotate through the spots.
Nunyadamn
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
We stayed at Jalama for a week in late July this year. I think it is my second favorite place. Best beach we have stayed at so far and that is a long list. Jalama burger truly is as good as the hype. We stayed up on the hill in space 111. Great spot up there - I didn't see a better location than up on the hill. Sunsets are the best.
Rmack1
Explorer
Sep 16, 2014
Last summer, we had a spot on the hill at the back of Jalama. Electric only, I think it was. Nice view, great place for windsock flying.

Although it's dogs on leash only on Jalama beach, you could walk down the coast for miles until no one cares any more. My Boxers were ecstatic.

Burgers just don't get any better than the Jalama Burger.
MrWizard
Moderator
Sep 15, 2014
i had One of those "on the beach" spots once .... about 25yrs ago

this trip before Labor Day was the first one there in many years

going back again soon..
got to get the new "surge tank" mounted on the radiator before we do it
and this triple digits is TOO HOT for me to be working outside on it

i wish we were camping up there right now
pnichols
Explorer II
Sep 15, 2014
Here's us camping at Jalama Beach with no reservation. We just drove right in and lucked out with this spot:
MrWizard
Moderator
Sep 14, 2014
Jalama beach used to be a well kept secret, used too be first come first serve for all sites
Now only a few sites are first come first serve aka "walk in"
They have their own reservation system, not on the state system

here are pictures of the high Surf from the storm front just before Labor Day

[IMG]http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm251/Mr__Wizard/Jalamasurf1_zps7ef70399.jpg" width=640>
WishWeWereCampi
Explorer
Sep 12, 2014
Re: Seacliff State Beach in Aptos

There are both hookup and non-hookup sites that are subject to reservation.
BoonHauler
Explorer
Sep 12, 2014
Nunyadamn wrote:
Seacliff State Beach is up near Santa Cruz.

Aptos, CA

Seacliff State Beach

Went there a lot as a child, didn't know there was camping though.....