On Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 03:27:05 AM PST, ddbjorkman@verizon.net <ddbjorkman@verizon.net> wrote:  
 While CA State Parks are way too expensive and sorta funky, San Diego County has a network of 9 parks.  These typically are in the foothills, one of them is out in the desert.  They are comparatively cheap.  All of them are very nice.  Clean, well managed, delightful actually.  They used to be super cheap....but inflation of course has taken it's toll.  Still....as a local....I highly recommend.  And I use them all regularly.  A nice thing:  Electrical hookups....so little electric heater in Winter to take off the chill; most of the year, temperatures are just right.  And most have easy cellphone access.  Lots of wildlife wandering through.  Again, highly recommended.....any of them.

I found most, if not all, campgrounds on the coast in CA are run by the state, not the National Park Service. Wanted to use my NP pass and could not.  We skipped it and camped inland amongst the tall trees.
Dave B.

-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Mon, Feb 6, 2023 12:51 pm
Subject: [VANAGON] California State Campgrounds

 I live here...and in my opinion....they are extremely expensive, and not so great.  Bunch of huge camper trailers, a bunch of noise, a bunch of messed up bathroom facilities.

You would be far better off by finding some BLM land...or National Forest Land.
For CA State Parks, you are looking at $50 a night or thereabouts.  Ridiculous in my opinion.  I guess OK for the occasional camper that wants to hear the waves crashing all night.  Once you've done that, you determine it's not so romantic after all.
Heck....Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona....all are superior.