Cachuma Lake kudos!

[PUCampin]

We have been to Cachuma Lake recreational area in Santa Barbara county many times, because primarily because of it's proximity to Solvang, which we enjoy visiting while my FIL rides in the Century bike ride. We have stayed in both the dry camping area and the full hook up RV park. The rates are reasonable and the park is taken care of, and I wanted to relate a couple positive experiences.

During a previous stay in the dry camping area, a group of several sites got rowdy one evening. The ranger warned them and they backed down a little, but began again around midnight. Shortly thereafter 4 Sheriff cars arrived and in 30 minutes the entire group was GONE. THAT is how unruly people should be handled.

This most recent visit I had a problem with my 30A receptacle. After being fine for half a day the power went out. The receptacle was old and worn, and you could hear it arcing inside when I plugged it back in. I went to the front office to ask for assistance and by the time I walked back to my site, maintenance was waiting FOR ME! In less than 30 minutes they had replaced the receptacle and breaker and put us back in business.

I know this is how things should be handled, but I read so often about parks not taking care of their customers. I wanted to tell everyone that we were taken care of, they did everything to make our experience a positive one, and ensured my willingness to return the next time we want to visit the area.

[tpi]

I've always enjoyed stays at Cachuma-especially during sunny mid winter days.

[PUCampin]

JT wrote:
"I wanted to tell everyone that we were taken care of, they did everything to make our experience a positive one"
---
I hope you told the park staff how much you appreciated their enforcing the rules and tending to a critical maintenance issue immediately! From my experience in many county and state parks (and in many NF campgrounds with "hosts"), this type of pro-active "take care of business" attitude is rare!

I told them I appreciated it, and wrote a nice e-mail to parks headquarters 🙂

[PUCampin]

monkey44 wrote:
We agree -- that's the way "rowdy" and "maintenance" should be handled, always.

Some campgrounds do not, and then wonder why folks stop coming, or maybe only the rowdy folks camp there ... then the campground deteriorates, because rowdy usually brings his brothers 'messy' and 'sloppy' and 'break things' with him.

Successful CG's maintain good customer care and clean campgrounds --

I grew up in that area and altho' it's been years and years, we spent a lot, a lot, a lot of time at Cachuma and the Castaic areas -- Castaic was always a favorite. When we were kids (15-16 or so), we used to 'hitch-hike' up thru Castaic Junction, spend the day at the lake, and hitch-hike back ... a thing unheard of in this age ...

I live walking distance from Castaic Lake, this is the 2nd year the lower lake is closed due to low level and unsafe conditions (stumps and debris and such just below the current water line). Makes me sad. The local business have definitely seen a decline.

[JT]

"I wanted to tell everyone that we were taken care of, they did everything to make our experience a positive one"
---
I hope you told the park staff how much you appreciated their enforcing the rules and tending to a critical maintenance issue immediately! From my experience in many county and state parks (and in many NF campgrounds with "hosts"), this type of pro-active "take care of business" attitude is rare!

[monkey44]

We agree -- that's the way "rowdy" and "maintenance" should be handled, always.

Some campgrounds do not, and then wonder why folks stop coming, or maybe only the rowdy folks camp there ... then the campground deteriorates, because rowdy usually brings his brothers 'messy' and 'sloppy' and 'break things' with him.

Successful CG's maintain good customer care and clean campgrounds --

I grew up in that area and altho' it's been years and years, we spent a lot, a lot, a lot of time at Cachuma and the Castaic areas -- Castaic was always a favorite. When we were kids (15-16 or so), we used to 'hitch-hike' up thru Castaic Junction, spend the day at the lake, and hitch-hike back ... a thing unheard of in this age ...

[SCVJeff]

Our daughter grew up camping at Cachuma starting at about 4months all the way to around 12, every other weekend at least. We saw a few of those and it never lasted more than a hour before they were all escorted OUT.

Still one of the best..


(Edit iphone spelling)

[Two_Hands]

We have stayed there many times and feel the same way. It is a great county park with excellent employees and volunteers.

[Islandman]

Lake Cachuma is one of the best CG's we have stayed at, it ranks up there with Joshua Tree NP and the Redwoods NP CG's in our travels to California. We preferred the dry sites as there was more room. The little store was quite good, friendly service and prices were reasonable.