Originally Posted by derail3

The wife and I are retired military and did San Louis Obispo to Santa Barbra on a four day weekend Oct 2017. Rode the train from SF to SLO. we followed the ACA route except for cutting thru Vandenburg Afb. First night we wanted to camp at Pismo State Beach Campground but was full and there are no hiker/biker sites at this campground. Ended up going to Grover Beach and staying at the County Campground. "Coastal Dunes RV Park"
1001 Pacific Blvd Oceana CA. The best I can say about this campground is right location, cheap hiker/biker sites, flush toilets, free showers. Noisy location between HY-1 and UP railroad tracks, bring ear plugs, shower outdated and dirty. Rock & Dinner 1300 Railroad St Oceano Ca is a good place to eat breakfast.

Second day we stayed on Hy-1 and entered Vandenburg thru the main gate (HY-1&Califonia Blvd) HY-1 is busy with steep climb up to the main gate but has a wide shoulder. We stayed in base lodging, clean modern and only $60. The Breakers Dinning Facility is across the street from lodging and is open to retires. The Base also has a campground.

Third day we departed Vandenburg via the SW gate (13th&W Ocean Ave) stayed on Ocean Ave and rejoined ACA route in Lompoc. All down hill out of Vandenburg 😀 Camped in hiker/biker site Refugio State Beach. Flush toilets and clean showers.

Fourth day rode Santa Barbra train station and boarded train for home.

If you need a low cost place to stay in San Louis Obispo: CA National Guard Post "Camp San Louis Obispo" has both Lodging and a Campground. There is also a Youth Hostel a few blocks from the train station.