Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Planning & Reservations

I had envisioned a plan-as-I-go type of trip. That is, I'd camp and surf, and each day decide whether to stay where I was, or go somewhere new. But since campsites must be reserved, and campgrounds fill up months in advance, the trip needed to be a little more structured.

So on April 8, I finished making all the reservations for the southbound part of the trip.

It's looking like this:

Aug 11 Hand the keys over to the house-sitter, hop in the car and drive down the bay area. Arrive at good friends' house in Moraga California.

Aug 12 Drive to Santa Cruz/Capitola, surf there and stay at New Brighton state park.

Aug 13 Surf in the morning at Capitola area, then drive to Pismo Beach, and camp

Aug 14 Drive to Santa Barbara and stay at El Capitan State Beach for Aug 14, 15, and 16. Because the stupid reservation system reserves by specific campsites, I have to stay in a different campsite every night (and had to pay three separate reservation fees).

Aug 17 Drive to Malibu, and stay with some movie star friends. No wait, I don't have any movie star friends. Camp at Malibu Creek State Park, and surf the breaks around Malibu.

Aug 19 Drive to San Onofre and camp/surf for three days.

Aug 22 Drive to San Diego area and stay Aug 22, 23 at Motel 6 in Carlsbad. I'll do some surfing at the same beach I surfed when I was 15 (Mission Beach).

I haven't made any plans beyond that date. I may be sick of camping/surfing at that point, or may want to continue for another week or two. Hopefully, if I want to continue, I'll be able to find some first come first served campsites, or stay in motels.