Rooms near the beach at $80 to $100 a night can still be found in older motels in San Diego’s Mission Beach, along the Pacific Coast Highway in Orange County, and in smaller towns such as Marina, in Monterey County, and Fort Bragg, in Mendocino County. During off-season, bargains can be found here and there, and websites such as Expedia.com and Priceline.com may offer good deals anytime. There are, however, other ways to spend a night in scenic locations within the sound of the waves. Hostelling International has over 1,000 beds in 13 coastal hostels, State Parks maintains at least 6,000 individual campsites, and private campgrounds and RV parks rent over 10,000 sites.

State Park information: www.parks.ca.gov;
Camping reservations: www.reserveamerica.com.

National Park information: www.nps.gov.

Hostelling International: www.hiayh.org.

California Division of Tourism: www.gocalif.ca.gov.

STATE CAMPING RATES RAISED

Fees for camping in all state parks will go up on July 1. The largest increases will be at the most popular campgrounds during the busiest times. Family camping fees, for example, which now range from $8–13, will be $11–25, plus a $10 fee for premium sites, and annual passes, now $67, will rise to $125. “After repeated budget reductions, we have reached the point where there is no other choice,” said State Parks Director Ruth Coleman. “This is a reasonable solution to help get the State through hard budget times. This plan keeps the system open and operating, while also keeping it as affordable as possible for all Californians.” The budget of State Parks was cut $35 million over the last three years, plus another $15 million in 2004–05. The steep fee increases will avert the need to close 100 parks, according to State Parks. Fees will also rise for day use, RV hookups, museums and historical sites, boat launching, and reservoir and annual boat passes. Fees for disabled visitors, veterans, seniors, and Golden Bear members will not change. The new fees are already in effect for camping reservations for the month of July. Telephone reservation hours have been reduced as well. Online reservations can still be made around the clock. For details, see the State Parks web site: www.parks.ca.gov, or call (800) 444-PARKS.