Dates: Saturday through Monday, August 30, September 1

Special Features: Montana del Oro State Park has three beaches, tide pools, hiking trails, fantastic scenery, and abundant wildlife, including sea otters, seals, raccoons, and bird life!

In addition, we expect to see astronomer Richard Nolthenius put in an appearance - he'll have night sky equipment with him and will be able to discuss the night sky with us.

Trip difficulty: none; this trip is suitable for kids & adults

Transportation: via private vehicle

Where is It: Montana de Oro State Beach is west of San Luis Obispo, and south of the town of Morro Bay

Accommodations: Montana del Oro State Park, on the southern fringe of Morro Bay; tent camping, only please. If you would like to bring an RV, please contact the trip leader first. Pets are allowed at the discretion of the trip leaders, again, call first. (Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times and are not allowed on any hiking trails.)

Weather: Should be mild, but be prepared for warm & cool conditions

Cost: $110 for adults, $75 for kids; kids under two are free

Who is the trip for: Anyone who loves the natural world, camping, and celebrating the end of school; for kids, moms and dads, grandparents, friends and relatives, etc; and for moms (and dads) who don't want to cook on vacation!

Age limits: none; open to all ages, from infants to seniors.

Trip leaders: Dave Wyman and Kathy Burke (with daughter Nora, age 16), who have originated and organized our family mini-tours for the past ten years. Additional helpers will be on hand as numbers dictate.

The Trip: Spectacular Morro Bay will serve as our base of exploration on our Family Camping Weekend. This is time with your family, and a great chance for you and your kids to meet and make new friends. During the weekend we'll have an opportunity to explore the rugged coastline of Montana del Oro State Park (just south of the Bay), look for sea otters, seals and sea lions, visit massive Morro Rock, look for sea creatures in tide pools, and lounge on the beach. We'll also enjoy great camp meals, optional games and Frisbee tossing, and lots more! You can take full advantage of the cornucopia of activities, you can head off on your own, or simply relax in camp. The group structure offers everyone a chance to relax and do their own thing. And for parents, there's no hassle with cooking!

What Will be Provided:
-Trip leaders
-Campground reservations at Morro Bay family camp sites
-Guided hikes to tide pools, beaches, mountain vistas
-Breakfast both Sunday and Monday
-Lunch on Sunday
-Dinner on Saturday, Sunday
-Campfire activities

What You Need to Bring:
-Sleeping bag and foam pad or air mattress for each family member, and a tent
-Extra clothes for cool and warm conditions
-Extra pair of shoes in case you get your first pair wet in tide pools
-Lawn chairs (optional, for the adults)
-Day pack (optional)
-Bikes - it's possible to ride carefully around our campground, there is a paved road running through the park, and mountain bikes are welcome on several trails.
-Towels (showers are located at Morro Bay State Park, about 20 minutes from the camp; we may make a shower run during the weekend.)

Basic Itinerary: depart for Montana del Oro at your leisure on Saturday. Drive time is about 3 1/2 hours to the Morro Bay area. No official activities planned for the first afternoon/night, except for dinner, a possible informal hike in late afternoon, and a campfire session; we'll also watch for raccoons and other animal night life.

On Sunday we'll enjoy a great breakfast. We'll make a short hike along the rugged coast, and visit one of the best tide pools in California. In the afternoon, we can fly kites on the beach, hike up into the coastal mountains with one of the trip leaders, ride a bike (Montana de Oro is known for its superb mountain biking trails), or just relax in camp. At sunset it's dinner back at camp, with marshmallows around the campfire and a night sky walk.

On Monday after breakfast and an optional walk down to the beach, we'll head for home. Other activities you might want to explore on your own include a visit to the little town of Morro Bay, with a stop at the Morro Bay Aquarium, or a visit to the La Purisma Mission, the best preserved Spanish-era mission in California.

How to sign-up: Send a check or money order to: Family Adventure Tours, 1164 Alvira Street, Los Angeles, California, 90035. You can make secure payment with a credit card on-line, by using paypal.com (contact the trip leader - see below - for details).

We hope to see you on the trip; if you have any questions, please contact Dave Wyman at (323) 377-7565, or email him at davewyman@imountainman.com. Dave's website is at www.dave wyman.com, where you'll find more information about family trips, and information about Dave's photography workshops.

Cancellations: If you cannot participate in a trip you are registered for, please notify us as soon as possible. If you cancel up to two weeks prior to the trip departure date, we will gladly refund your money, minus a $25 cancellation fee. If you are canceling two weeks or less before the departure date, you will not receive a refund, unless your slots can be filled, in which case you will receive your money back, minus the $25 cancellation fee. The trip will run, rain or shine.

Send payment to: Family Adventure Tours, 1164 Alvira Street, Los Angeles, CA 90035.

Directions for Drivers: First, obtain a good California road map! Take Highway 101 north towards San Luis Obispo. Coming from the south, take the first exit past the first San Luis Obispo city limits sign. That exit is the Los Osos/Valley Road exit. Turn left at the end of the off ramp, and continue on Valley Road to the little town of Los Osos. Continue on the same road, which will take you into Montana Del Oro, about three miles past the park entrance. The campground will be available anytime after 2:00 p.m. Check with the ranger station (the small white house at the top of the hill about 2 miles into the park) for our campsite numbers.

Note: Parking fees - $10 - at the campground may apply to your vehicle.