Took a short trip to Ventura, CA. I had no idea where I was going to stay that night, but found a promising looking place in Emma Wood State Beach. Reviews said part of the campground was closed due to erosion, but it sounded like some of it was still open.
I got lucky – even though I arrived after dark, I was able to find a first-come-first-serve spot easily (I really need to squash this arriving after dark thing). I found an eroded shortened site, but I still fit. Sites backed right up to the driftwood covered rocky beach. Despite proximity to the LA area, the stars over the ocean were quite prominent, but not terribly photogenic on a phone.
In the morning, I realized you could see the Catalina Islands from our spot. A few wetsuit clad surfers paddled out. It was very relaxing.
