Ocean Cove - Availability?

Shilo and I recently bought a camper so we don't have to get up at 3am to hit the water by 6.  We're planning a trip for 22 Jun (Saturday; we would arrive Saturday about 6pm) and have a phobia about making the trek to a first come - first serve campground.

For those who have either camped or camp at Ocean Cove -- since you cannot reserve a camp site; have you ever had a problem getting a site?  Any recommendations for nearby sites? 



Thanks in advance-

On low tide weekends it's packed,so if it is you would have to get there on Friday .  I have never  been turned away.

One time I thought it would be empty but there was some kind of festival going on nearby. The place was packed but we still managed to find a spot.
One thing I do not like about OC is now they allow anyone to leave their trailer there for a fee.
Last year it was $200 a month which you were allowed I think 10 days of use during that month.
For $400 you got to use it all month.
Most of the prime spots were taken with trailers not in use and a lot of those trailers had all kinds of crap laying around.
It seemed to be turning into a ratty trailer park instead of the cool campground it used to be.
Hopefully things will change this year or at least they will have some kind of regs to keep the junk down.
Try to get there after work on Friday. Your chances will be better of getting a spot but usually it isn't a problem.

Thanks mud shark and tote. 

Reviews I saw on Yelp spoke of the month long trailers - very unfortunate they do not restrict that to other than prime spots.  Unfortunately, we are attending an event in Milpitas on Friday and Saturday morning, arriving Saturday evening definately put us at a disadvantage.

After spending a ton of time on the sonoma coast for the last 30 yrs I finally made it to OC for the first time last summer. The place was almost full but we found 2 spots.  I wasn't as rowdy as I expected.

Of note, the outhouses are bad, really bad.
The outdoor showers are really nice,

Biggest thing, if you're coming in with most sites taken be prepared to end up in a site that's really hard to level up your camper in.

Thanks Dale- 

Any particular places up that way that you like best?

My No. 1
Salt Pt State prk, No Showers and lots of sites so it fills up last on the reservation system, but still the best park up there IMO, ocean side (gerstle) tends to be windy and open, inland side is best.

Stillwater Cove campground, has showers, fills up fast, I think you can make reservations thru Sonoma County.

Just checked, Salt Point has 47 sites available for Jun 22.  Thru Reserveamerica.com

Almost forgot, If you're just looking for a place to sack out for the night you can camp at Timber Cove, the surroundings aren't much but I think they even have showers, not sure tho.

Dale, thank you-

Appreciate the info and that website is going to be invaluable. I was having a hard time finding and negotiating through individual web sites.