It is almost that time again for the Turf & Surf which is at the Oceano Dunes SVRA (for your gps)
The event itself is free and hosted by the Central Coast Land Cruisers . Along with wheeling, anyone can surf, fish, run, swim, dig a hole, or really anything else you want to do at the beach. Here are some tid bits of planning info:
As we get closer maybe we can loosely plan some potluck grub and the likes.
Frank
The event itself is free and hosted by the Central Coast Land Cruisers . Along with wheeling, anyone can surf, fish, run, swim, dig a hole, or really anything else you want to do at the beach. Here are some tid bits of planning info:
- Typically we have left Friday morning and returned Sunday. However, it would be more optimal if your schedule can swing it to return Monday. That way you can take the inland trails and attend the lunch at the Pozo Saloon. If one departs by 9AM Monday, the odds of traffic are very low where Sunday traffic through SB and LA is common. One could also depart later Sunday if you are up for it, to each his or her own.
- Without a trailer, the drive is about 5.5 hours. With a trailer it is about 6.5 and if your kids have to stop a lot 7 hrs. It is best to leave by 9AM Friday so you pass through LA and Santa Barbara by about 2PM. Any later and you will get stuck in Santa Barbara traffic which can be awful. If you find yourself leaving later and can get through LA mid day, you can take I5 north and cut over on the 166 into Santa Maria to save a little time.
- Getting onto the beach: Your GPS might take you in on Grand Ave which makes it a straight shot from 101 to the beach. Mine always takes me up to 4th and then doubles back so I usually ignoe it and exit on Grand. Or, it might take you off a different exit to Pier Ave to the south. Either will work and in each case go south to pole 6. Grand is easier to find but you spend more time driving 15 MPH on the beach. I prefer the Grand Ave entrance myself.
- The fee to camp is $10/night. Something new to me is that you can use Reserve America to reserve your rig and whatever you are towing. Of course there is an $8 fee for the privilege of using RA. As of 10/05/2016 there are 861 out of 999 "sites" available. You camp on the beach wherever you chose to stop, there are no actual sites, but maybe they are trying to manage the raw number of entrants. While it seems unlikely they'd sell out, this is a holiday weekend so it is probably a good idea to get a reservation in advance.
- I typically air down as soon as I pass through the ranger shack.
- Where to camp? Experiences says close to but above the high tide line which is identifiable by the ocean debris. Close do the dunes means loud struggling engines. Vehicles by the shore have to travel slowly and the waves drown a lot of that noise out which is nice. It is generally nice to be just off of the main camp area so you don't have to deal with the noise but don't have to walk a mile either. Keep the restrooms in sight but again to close and definitely not downwind.
- If people are coming in at night, we have our comm channels and cell phones to help guide you in.
- Firewood is available on the way to and on the beach, no need to bring it unless you want to do so.
- Flags are required! I zip tie mine on to my front bumper. They can also be purchased on the beach if you forget yours or just don't have one.
- We are next to the ocean so it can be cold at night. It can sunny and calm, sunny and windy, foggy at times, so read the weather report and plan accordingly.
- Vehicles are usually used as wind breaks.
As we get closer maybe we can loosely plan some potluck grub and the likes.
Frank
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