Jalama Beach CA - Setting up camp

Last spring several friends from SoCal and us planned a joint camping adventure to the Santa Barbara County Park - Jalama Beach as a fun get together. Jalama was chosen as it's approximately half way between the San Diego and SF Bay areas. It's also been a long time favorite campground because of its remote location, dog friendliness, and long sandy beaches in a rare undeveloped area along the California coast.

After packing up XSC8POD (our 2014 Free Spirit Sprinter van), we head south on Hwy 101.

On the road again - XSC8POD reflected on tanker

Harvest season for vineyards surrounding Paso Robles

Just before Gaviota Pass, we take the Lompoc exit onto the California Coast Hwy 1 to Jalama Road. The narrow two lane blacktops curve through farms and ranches as we make our way towards the Pacific coast.

When we made our reservation for a group site many months ago, we knew we were taking a chance with the weather. Fortunately Mother Nature smiles on us by bringing in the last heat wave of the season. While temps hover in the 90-100 F range in the cities and interior valleys, the day welcomes us with warm sunny weather, calm winds and clear skies as we approach Jalama... or in other words perfect beach weather.

Jalama Road winds through large ranches

Good thing we have reservations

Almost there! Look, the Amtrak Surfliner is approaching, be careful going over the tracks

We couldn't have asked for better weather as we check-in at the gate and find our group camp site.  Several of the others are already there and have started to set up. We back into our site, plug into the utilities, extend the patio shade, and we're done.

Entering Jalama Beach Park

John sets up his camper's canopy

Camp site at Jalama Beach

After greeting everybody and helping to set up extra shade canopies over picnic tables, we leash up the dogs and head down to the beach.

Jalama Beach Campground

Ahhh - now that's a BEACH!

When we return to camp, it's happy hour and we toast our good fortune with wine and margaritas.

Jamie with his margarita

White wine anyone?

Suzie with margarita in a REI cup

David

David and Terry toast each other as the sun starts to set

Terry

As Jamie and Suzie prepare gourmet hamburgers and sausages for our first dinner, the rest of us watch the sunset and prepare for a fun evening together.

Sunset at Jalama

Party lights are up and ready