Michael,

Don writes, "Or even some of the So. Cal. state beach parks."

Having been a resident of coastal SoCal for most of my life (until I escaped in 2008) I would mention that the coast can be cool, or even cold, at any time of the year, and the state parks are almost without exception expensive, noisy, and crowded, with campers slotted cheek-by-jowl next to each other with little or no privacy. This might not be a concern for your style of camping (CYOC - camp your own camp) but it might be helpful in forming your decision.

I can't think of any place in SoCal where one could be assured to find warm weather, but Picacho State Recreation Area, down in the S.E. corner of Cali is low desert, and offers plenty of free camping. No amenities. <http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=641>

-- Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott 1984 Westfalia, auto trans, Bend, Ore.

On 09/16/2012 07:13 AM, Don Hanson wrote: > 12 days is not really enough time to go to Baja, really. Unless you like > spending a lot of time behind the wheel. You'd be two long days to get > past the border and another couple of long days to get away from the nasty > border towns....That would only leave you about 4 days when you weren't > driving. Distances are long in Baja..From T. J. to Cabo is over 1000 > miles and much of the first half is inland desert on a fairly intense > highway. Still quite fun, but you really need more time for that. > > The US desert is a better bet. Or even some of the So. Cal. state > beach parks. Depends on your 'goals' for this travel. If you are really > looking for warmth, you will want to be in the low deserts, it is often > cold and windy, even rainy sometimes in the higher southwest areas in > winter......The low deserts are normally pretty busy with Snowbirds during > the winter. Plenty of exploring to do. > > Don Hanson > > On Sat, Sep 15, 2012 at 11:04 PM, Michael Hart<mjhart853@yahoo.com> wrote: > >> Seeking recommendations for places to visit& stay in a 12 day trip in our >> Westy from Northern CA to either the Southwest (southern CA, AZ, NV, NM) >> and/or Baja. Heading south for warmth& avoidance of the (few) northern CA >> winter storms. >> 2WD Westy, so some of the wilder parts of Baja may be off limits to us. >> Parks and beach destinations preferred (and not the 'Amusement' Parks'). >> Thanks, >> >> Mike >> '87 2WD White Westfalia 'T3WESTY' >>