Southern California - anyone done a day trip and camped at Leo Carillo state beach?

Looking for a good 2 day bike trip and was saw that leo carillo beach in malibu as a good choice. Do they have showers and how are the campgrounds.. This would be a good 160 mile 2 day trip. any info appreciated..

no but i have camped at sycamore canyon another 5 miles north on pch and i have ridden out while the family drives out. it's about 50-60 mile ride depending on which route i take. sycamore has showers, i'm pretty sure leo carillo does too. i like the campgrounds at sycamore, being on the non-beach side is nice and protected and lots of trees and to get to the beach you can walk under the highway bridge so you don't have to cross pch (although the traffic's pretty light).

the hiker/biker site is pretty cool at sycamore, slight more secluded that the normal sites. the biggest issue at them is the homeless got themselves some beach cruisers to stay at the sites and alternate back and forth between campgrounds. you might have to share the hiker/biker site with other bike tourist coming down the coast as well.

you might try posting this on the touring forum as well

I have camped at Leo Carillo and there are showers. Nice campground, but I think the smaller campgrounds that don't allow the bigger RV's in may be nicer. I'm not sure....I camp in a larger RV. :rolleyes:

I camp there every August. Yes, there are showers and I believe there is a store. It usually sells out for the summer in Jan when they open registration. Great rides out there. You will have a great time.

thanks.. I will check out sycamore canyon.. hopefully there are some reservations available for august.

Camped at Leo Carillo a year or two ago. (In a tent, FWIW.) Ground isn't the greatest: little rocks and nuts all over. If you want to actually sleep, avoid the weekends at any park: it's party time then. Close walk to the beach. Tidal basin is cool. Other than that, dry, prickly desert shrubs so hiking wasn't great either.

thanks.. I will check out sycamore canyon.. hopefully there are some reservations available for august.

If no regular sites are available, they do have hike 'n' bike sites for touring cyclists which are first-come, first-serve.

Oh yea, there is that volcanic tube at low tide. It's pretty cool and a short walk from the campsite. There is also a bunch of poison ivy/oak on the sites but it is marked most of the time.