San Clemente State Beach - Health Spa Hosting

With the bikes fixed, this park became our own "health spa". You could soak in the ocean, chase and be chased by waves, bike the beach and the gorgeous bike trail along the coast. The bluffs here are an erosional wonder. The trails wander through bunches of flowers. You don't even realize you are getting in shape as you explore the canyons. Wonderful!http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/San_Clemente_Sb/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=CA&parkId=120082&pstate=CA

P.S. California's state park hosts are strictly volunteer....no pay/no stipend. You do get a spot to park your rig and hookups (if available). We don't know if it's true, but we heard that management tends to not treat the hosts very well in Southern California. In Northern California it seems you have to apply and wait at least a year or two for a spot...so hosts must have a better time of it there. On the up side, you can volunteer for as little as a month. There's complete information on all of the host jobs at this link: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=911

Networking - Job Search Contacts

We drove ourselves from Arizona right to the California Coast, landing at Leo Carillo State Park. Lovely!...but it was winter and the days were short. We thought by traveling south we'd find summer...but Southern California enjoyed their coldest and snowiest winter since the 40's. But we weren't there for the beach. We talked with every camp host we could. They all loved their jobs, and their happy faces showed it...especially when they zipped around on their electric carts! On February 25, 2011, it was raining like crazy...so instead of paying for a day at the park or the beach....we camped out at Walmart. Everyone has to try it. We asked if it was OK first, because it's not true that Walmart "doesn't care" if you stay overnight. We found the stores near tourist spots do not allow it at all. Even though we got permission, we were asked to move in the middle of the night...because only one spot was set aside for overnight use.

Vehicle Type for Camp Hosting

When you apply to be a camp host you are asked what you will be living in and what you will be driving. We had a 1986 Mini Winnebago when we were first hired last year....and a 1996 Ford Aerostar van. Your employer doesn't seem concerned with what you live in, if it's comfortable for you...but be careful about the vehicle you drive. You may be expected to use it on the job. So it's a good idea to ask before you sign on: "Will I be expected to use my own vehicle to do the work required of me as a host?" Some campgrounds are very tough on vehicles...and some jobs require you to drive between areas that might be spread out over quite a few miles. Gas prices must be considered. So again you need to ask questions: "Will a vehicle or cart be provided?" "If I have to use my own vehicle, will I be reimbursed for mileage?"

We loved our Wini...but it didn't have a hot shower...and most campgrounds hiring hosts did not have showers....so we sold our $6500 RV to a cute girl who turned it into a hippie pad and took it to live on the California coast.