Gaviota State Park, Gaviota, California

I found out about this campground on the California state park Web site, and I tent camped there in May 2007.

Describe your camping trip:

This is a small tight campground. There are only 40 spots and half are now available on Reserve America. The rest are on a first come first serve after May 25. I have been coming here for years and have always enjoyed relaxing at this campground. It's the only state beach in the area with a fishing pier.

Pros: Hot showers, mini-market on premises, fishing pier open 24hours, hiking and bike trails, nice beach area.

Cons: Amtrak trains buzz the campsite about two times a night. Gophers and gopher holes on campsites. They don't really bother you, but they will pop up and say "hi". High winds at night coming down the valley mountains or beach.

Nearby attractions: Solvang (13 miles away), Santa Barbara (20 miles), Refugio State Beach (8 miles), El Capitan State Beach (10 miles).

Further comments:

If you like fishing, this is the place to go. This is the only park that has a pier, and you can go anytime of day or night you please. There are usually 10 people who fish and hang out all night on the pier. Last time I went, some guy caught an 11-foot thresher shark.