THE BEACH IS BACK RECORD NUMBERS EXPECTED AT LOCAL OCEANSIDE CAMPSITES.

Byline: BILL BECHER

If you haven't already made a reservation for your summer camping trip at a Southern California beach, you're probably out of luck. If you have, expect a lot of company.

Tim Strother of Santa Clarita Valley called six months in advance to reserve a camping spot at Carpinteria State Beach and was told the campground was full. He called back several times, then got lucky.

``For kicks, we tried one last time and a space became available,'' said Strother, who was able to reserve a four-day stay, though not at the time he had wanted. ``We were surprised at how cheap it was.''

The number of visitors to the 267 California state parks will approach a record 90 million this fiscal year, an increase of about 10 million over the previous year, officials said.

``Immediately after September 11, we began to see a rise in the number of people making reservations, perhaps an indication that people had decided to make their vacation plans within the state at locations reachable by vehicle,'' State Parks spokesman Steve Capps said.

Increased use also could be due to the reduction in fees that went into effect in 2000, when maximum state park camping fees were set at $12 per night. Previously, fees often were twice that much. Day-use fees also were lowered from $5 to $2 per day.

About 6 million people camped in California state parks in 2001-02, an increase of about 900,000 from the year before. There are 91 state parks on the camp reservation system, offering about 9,500 sites. In Southern California, defined as south of San Simeon, there are 29 parks, with 18 at the coast.

Unfortunately, everyone seems to want to camp at the beach this summer.

The 10 most popular camping state parks, determined by reservations, are: Mount Tamalpais, Doheny State Beach, Refugio State Beach, Seacliff State Beach, San Elijo State Beach, San Clemente State Beach, South Carlsbad State Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach, Carpinteria State Beach and New Brighton State Beach.

``The majority of reservations at the campsites are made by families that live in metropolitan areas and are looking to camp during the weekend at a coastal park within a two-hour drive of their homes,'' Capps said. ``The bottom line is that most coastal campgrounds, as well as other popular state parks in the state, are full on summer weekends.''

Tye Hawken of Santa Clarita Valley, who's been going to Carpinteria State Beach to camp for 20 years, had to share a campsite this time with Strother and his family.

``This is the first time it's been completely booked up,'' Hawken said.

``But the kids,'' Strother said. ``love it here.''

SUMMER CAMPING TIPS

--For state park reservation sites - plan ahead. You can make reservations up to seven months in advance through Reserve America at [phone], or visit its Web site at cal-parks.ca.gov/travel/online.htmL

--Determine where you want to camp and be flexible: Have alternate parks in mind in case your first choice is booked. Check the State Parks Web site at cal-parks.ca.govL

--The California State Parks magazine and Camping Reservation Guide are available by writing to the California State Parks Information Office, P.O. Box 942896, Sacramento 94296-0001 or call [phone]. For the Camping Reservation Guide alone, you can also call [phone].L

--Consider non-reservation sites: If the reservation sites are full, look for the first-come, first-served campgrounds, and try and arrive on a Tuesday or Wednesday to maximize your chance to get a campsite. Click on the link to First Come - First Serve Campgrounds at the State Parks Web site on the Reservations and Fees page or www.parks.ca.gov/pages/737/files/noreservations.pdf.L

--Book during less-busy months: Summer is the busiest time of the year, so try and take your vacation during the offseason - April, May or after Labor Day.L

--Choose less-busy days. Sometimes reservations are easier to make if you can camp midweek.L

--Check out less-popular camps - Southern coastal campgrounds can be full year-round. You could have better luck getting reservations north of Santa Cruz or inland. Look for sites that are more remote, away from major metropolitan areas.L

--Remember the holiday crush. The closer you try to make reservations to a major holiday (Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July, Labor Day weekend), the further north and inland you might need to go.L

--Consider cancellations: Check the Reserve America Web site or call the [phone] phone number. Cancellations are rare, but they happen.L

--If the campgrounds you want are booked, consider visiting the park for a day for a picnic, hike or other outdoor recreation.L

--Ventura County Parks offer first-come, first-serve seaside camping. Information at www.ventura.org/gsa/parks/ or [phone].L

Santa Barbara County also offers first-come, first-serve seaside camping. Information at www.sbparks.org or [phone].L

There's always the mountains. Consider a visit to a Bureau of Land Management Forest Service campground. They might be less developed, but they are often less crowded. See www.ca.blm.gov/caso/camping.html for a list of BLM campgrounds in California. Most BLM campgrounds are no-fee, first-come first-serve. The U.S. Forest Service also maintains hundreds of campgrounds in California; check www.fs.fed.us for links to National Forests and campgrounds.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

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(1 -- 2) The California state parks expect a record-breaking 90 million campers this season, meaning long lines and crowded conditions at camp sites.

Bill Becher/Special to the Daily News

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SUMMER CAMPING TIPS (see text)