Summer CA Beach Camping?'s

[Cole Sanger]

Starting to plan a vacation in mid July next year out to the beach. I have lots of questions and would like input from people with experience camping (trailer or RV) on/near beaches in southern California.
1. Has anyone stayed at Newport Dunes or one of the campgrounds in Huntington Beach?
2. How is Newport Harbor when it comes to boats. I have a 27ft openbow and am considering taking it with us. Newport Dunes has a marina and launch ramps connected from what I can tell. My greatest concern, other than the actual water conditions, is security of my boat and trailer at night.
3. We started out looking at renting a motorhome for the 9 day stay, but found a place called 1stchoicerv.com in Irvine that has travel trailers for rent. Has anyone used them, or can someone recommend some other places? We were looking at El Monte RV, but I can get a pretty big trailer for less than a smaller RV, so it started to make sense to go with a trailer.
4. Does anyone have an "IN" with any of these places, or know if any of them offer discounts of some type? (AAA, Good Sam, etc.) Newport Dunes is pretty expensive, so any help in lowering the cost would be great.
Thanks in advance for the help. I am sure I will have more questions in the coming weeks.

[Trailer Park Casanova]

We use Newport Dunes several times a year.
We look at the higher cost as a deterant to keep trouble out.
Security is fine, (remove ipods ect at nite though) launching is fine and convienent if you're camping there IOHO's.
Not familiar with the trailer rental places, but if it's a better deal than El Monte, we think you're right in considering them. Newport Dunes may have RV rental places they already work with and approve BTW.
Newport Dunes has all kinds of family activities so perhaps check on what's up and maybe plan to be a part of them if they appeal to your kids.
For example:
They have a bicycle parade and the kids decorate their bikes with materials supplied by, and a decorating party held by NP Dunes.
Seems kinda trivial, but it's a BFD to many kids.
Bike riding from NPD to Balboa Island via the ferry is a huge thing to our kids BTW.
We found the Good Sam Discounts wern't worth our mailbox constantly being stuffed with Good Sam Insurance sales brochures and other nonsense Good Sam offers so we lump it and pay the extra 3 bucks.
You can check online or ask NPD what discounts they currently have.
Most their RV spots are simple back-ins, but they do have a few on the beach that are nice but very pricy.
Make the reservation early, they fill up fast. I'd recon probably 50% of their spots already taken by regulars with standing reservations. You can always cancil.
Hope this gives you some idea.
If givin a choice, our kids prefer on-the-water San Diego camping.

[RVRKID]

We go to Newport Dunes every year and love it. The harbor wouldn't be a problem for your boat and the Marina is safe I believe(we have never taken a boat). Newport Dunes also has cottages they rent and a few are beach front, they might be a better deal then renting a trailer but not sure. They are pretty nice for what they are, kitchen master bedroom and a loft.
http://www.newportdunes.com/
Oh and be careful after 10PM they do push that very hard.

[new2cats]

Find an RV park in San Diego near Mission Bay or Sea Port Village...launch your boat and keep it in slip at the Sea port Village Marina (Contact the Marriott for info)....there are lots of shop, places to eat/drink, the gas lamp district, beaches, amusement parks, Coronado. Also, great harbor cruising in your boat...fun stuff. There is an aircraft carrier tour that is killer for the kids!!
OC is kinda boring in my opinion!

[new2cats]

One more thing....if you desire, there is a small train/trollie that takes you right to the Mexican border...walk into TJ for some donkey shows and bad Mescal-juice.......eat from the street vendor taco stands..good for about a 10 pound weight loss through the rectum!!!

[909punk]

i always wanted to do this..
for the working stiffs most places have free wi-fi!! woot

[TYLER DURDEN]

I have used 1st Choice RV. They are a first class operation. We have rented an RV from them a few times and never had any problems. The RV's were new, clean, fully decked out, and didn't feel like a rental (nor did they have the business name and "RENT ME" crap all over it.

[MBlaster]

There are lots of awsome beach spots in so cal between Santa Barbara and San Diego. Weather you plan on boating or just doing the beach thing will decide where you want to stay. If you want to do both I vote somewhere on mission bay. For pure beach camping I like Carpinteria, Emma Wood, Doheny, Carlsbad. Last weekend we went to Silver Strand, that place is tops for pure beach camping.

[OCMerrill]

I have used 1st Choice RV. They are a first class operation. We have rented an RV from them a few times and never had any problems. The RV's were new, clean, fully decked out, and didn't feel like a rental (nor did they have the business name and "RENT ME" crap all over it.
I believe these guys operate out of the same storage yard I keep my motor home in. Behind Traveland in Irvine?
They are always busy.

[Jordy]

Newport Dunes is a great place all around. The little cottages aren't anything to really write home about, but they are a roof and a place to crash. The loft upstairs is great if you're about 3' tall. As far as taking the boat, you'll have a blast in Newport Harbor with it, and it will be fine there on the trailer. The washdown facilities are outstanding there. Just be sure and take a garden hose, some salt away, and a pocket full of quarters, although, they do have a bill changer there now. The Back Bay Cafe also has some pretty decent food as well, and a nice bar that overlooks the launch ramp. It's always fun to sit and have a few cocktails and watch rookie day on the ramp.