Moto GP at Laguna Seca - Camping Nearby?

Suffering from the effects of procrastinating in arranging camping for
our Moto GP trip, I'm left with only a few choices:

1. Camp at Toro Park near the racetrack (open camping on grass away
from parking and no facilities);

2. Camp down coast at/near Big Sur (full service campgrounds, but a
good hour drive south from Laguna Seca); and

3. Try "lawn camping" at the Marina RV Park, which means that you just
pitch your tent on the grass in their picnic area (but hey, at least
it's close to the track, and they have showers and restrooms handy).

Anyone got any bright ideas that I haven't thought of? Right now it
looks like Big Sur, since (I'm guessing) Saturday and Sunday, most of
the traffic is going the other direction.

Anyone ever do the Toro Park open area camping? Sounds like it's
pretty rough.

EJ

 

I'm mildly surprised you're able to find camping in Big Sur at
this time of year.

Another option might be county parks. I like Mt. Madonna county
park pretty well, though it's still ~25 miles from Laguna Seca.

http://areas.wildernet.com/pages/area.cfm?areaID=CASCMM&CU_ID=157

Good luck with your search

 

Thanks Rob.

I actually did get a reservation at a private campground near Big Sur.
It's called Big Sur Campground and Cabins. It's right by the state
campground. That's probably our best bet. I just wondered if anyone
had any secret spots or if the Toro Park thing wasn't as bad as I was
picturing.

EJ

 

had any secret spots

Any secret spots very nearby Laguna Seca would likely have high lead
contamination & occasional harrassment from overzealous MP's... True
'Adventure Touring'




cds

 

Veteran's Park is an excellent suggestion. I had never heard of that
park before.

It presents an interesting dilemna for us, though, because the maximum
stay there is three consecutive days. Do we grab something there on
Thursday and then try to break camp super-early on Sunday morning, so
we can still get to the track early on the biggest race day, or do we
go early Friday, hoping that there will still be a space available, and
then have the luxury of leaving early for the track on Sunday (not to
mention being able to come back and drink safely after the race Sunday
night)?

Decisions, decisions...

Thanks for the great tip, though. Even if we don't get in for the Moto
GP, I'll have to check out this park another time.

EJ

 

We considered Fremont Peak, and it looks great, but we figured that
traffic on Hwy 68 and Hwy 156 after races on Saturdays and Sundays
would make the journey back to anyplace North or West longer twice as
long as the same distance South (I don't think a lot of those Carmel
residents are race fans, for some reason).

Also, we talked about a hotel/motel, but camping has become somwhat a
tradition for us (and you know how they get mad when you build a
campfire in the middle of your motel room).

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. Next year I swear I'm going to
start planning earlier!

EJ

 

national forest primitive camping off tassahara rd south of Jamesburg, way
up Carmel Valley. last 10 miles will be dirt road. bring everything you
need (water!) and pack it all out again.

 

Fremont Peak is also fabulous if you're into astronomy. They have a
resident 30" reflector telescope at the observatory that the public can
look through on occasion. I agree that it is too far a commute for the
race though. I plan to stay at a friend's condo near Cannery Row.

--
PC Paul

Trip pics at: http://photos.yahoo.com/paul1cart

"To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to
society" - Theodore Roosevelt