At Huntington and Malibu,
They're shooting the pier,
At Rincon they're walking the nose,
We're going on safari to the islands this year,
So if you're coming get ready to go.
~Beach Boys, Surfin’ Safari (1962)
Sun and surf...endless summer. The California dream is almost part of the American psyche. These days, your vehicle of choice may be a motorhome and not a Woody and perhaps you’ve never surfed a day in your life; but, you can still experience the California dream at Rincon Parkway campground near Ventura, California.
Imagine camping on the Pacific coast with the beach right at your doorstep. Mornings offer the opportunity to spy dolphins, seals, and possibly even migrating gray whales. During daylight hours, surfers offer ongoing entertainment and may even tempt you to try your hand. Sunsets over the Channel Islands will inspire you each evening.
Rincon Parkway is not a campground in the traditional sense. Rather, there are 127 paved spaces for RV use that actually sit on the shoulder of the famed Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH), near the town of Ventura. If you have a self-contained RV you can parallel park in these spaces set up right next to the sea wall.
Most of the sites are 15â² wide x 46â² long. There are some larger spaces at the north end of the campground although a cement wall partially obscures the ocean view. The spaces at the south end of the facility have the best views because they are not obstructed by the wall.
One car and one RV are allowed per spot, with a maximum of six occupants. Vehicles, including their slides, must fully fit within the space. There are no electrical hookups, dump stations, bathroom facilities or onsite water although there is a local service providing wastewater and freshwater several times a week for a fee. Fires are allowed in the rock fire rings at each site. Tent camping is not permitted.
You’ll have to navigate the rock wall sitting between the sites and the beach in order to access the water, although at certain sites the path is easier than at others. For those who want to forego the climb, there are public beaches at nearby Hobson and Faria parks. Leashed dogs are allowed on area beaches.
RVs parked on Rincon Parkway campground [Photo by VenturaParks.Org]
A trip to the California coast is not complete without a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway to experience some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery. California State Route 1 runs nearly the entire length of California’s coastline, so there’s plenty to drive. If the lifestyles of the rich and famous appeal to you, head south about an hour along the PCH to famed Malibu to spy the homes of many Hollywood celebrities.
If the lyrics of yet another song - the 70’s tune Ventura Highway - start calling your name, head for U.S. Highway 101 (Ventura Freeway) for another uniquely California driving experience.
By all means, take time to visit the Channel Islands, an archipelago of eight islands along the Santa Barbara Channel. Five of the islands comprise the Channel Islands National Park. You may be familiar with the islands if you ever read Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell as a child. The islands have a fantastic history and wildlife watching is astounding, with everything from sea lions to the occasional whale to be spotted.
Several companies offer tours including Island Packers Cruises which leaves from the Ventura harbor.
When civilization lures you away from the sand, you can head just a few miles to Ventura, with ample choices for shopping, dining, and nightlife. Santa Barbara, an impressive city to tour, is about 20 miles north up the coast.
In 2018, the Ventura County Parks Department implemented a reservation system that will show what sites are available on a given date. Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance. Campers who arrive without a reservation and find an empty spot can use a mobile payment app offered by the park system but must be physically in the spot when they pay.
Ron Van Dyck, Deputy Director of Ventura’s parks department said, “With reservations, visitors have a better chance of getting a spot than before because site availability is shown in real time.” He added, “With reservations, everyone has the same chance to get a spot whether they’re from Ventura or Maine.” Mr. Van Dyck acknowledged that snagging a spot in high season can take some work, “Holidays and summer weekends have always been full in the past.” Theresa Lubin, parks manager added, “Availability opens up considerably in early August.”
Sites are $32.00 per day. The weekend and holiday rate is $35 per day. Stays are limited to five days from April through October and fourteen days from November through March. Parks Reservations can also be reached by phone at: 805-654-3951.
While staying on the Pacific coast may be idyllic, the park service offers a few caveats. Foremost, beware of thieves that patrol the area and don’t leave anything unsecured outside of your vehicle. The campground sits between the ocean and railroad tracks, so you’ll likely hear trains passing during your stay. The park is also close enough to Highway 101 to hear traffic noise. Most visitors say that the crashing waves of the Pacific more than compensate for any occasional train or traffic noise.
The Rincon Parkway campground is located between Faria Beach Park and Hobson Beach Park on Highway 1 off U.S. Highway 101. To get to Rincon Parkway from Ventura, go north on US Hwy 101 and take exit 78. From there, drive south on CA Hwy 1.
California, Camping, Destinations, Outdoors, RV Lifestyle, RV Parks