Goat Harbor

Campsite location is wonderful, especially for boat-in campers. 5 mile kayak from Two Harbors, likely a little farther from Avalon, 21 miles from the Port of Los Angeles Harbor lighthouse. Multiple flat areas away from the beach (which largely consists of pea- to marble-sized polished loose pebbles) good for tents. Two fire pits are on the beach, but were full of trash which prior campers tried t... Campsite location is wonderful, especially for boat-in campers. 5 mile kayak from Two Harbors, likely a little farther from Avalon, 21 miles from the Port of Los Angeles Harbor lighthouse. Multiple flat areas away from the beach (which largely consists of pea- to marble-sized polished loose pebbles) good for tents. Two fire pits are on the beach, but were full of trash which prior campers tried to burn so the air smelled of burnt plastic. There is a latrine along a trail up the hill, but it is not usable since it is overridden with plant growth, so campers used the trailside to "make deposits" instead. There are two rickety, dirty picnic tables on the shore which can be moved with the help of a fellow camper. Obviously no running water or electricity. Also, the sun was behind clouds for more than 75% of the day (early September), so if you are bringing solar-powered things, exposure may be limited. A few trails exist which lead up the hillside which is steep, covered in matted grass and can be slippery since the dirt is loose on the hillside making footing difficult. A pleasant, constant breeze blows in from the sea, which keeps the site cool and dry and keeps bugs under control for the most part. For anchoring a boat, ensure you have plenty of chain (>15 ft at least for >20' boats). A fluke/Danforth anchor will not set well in the seabed in Goat Harbor. I had to put a giant rock in a bag, tie it to my chain (4') and sink it along with the fluke. Held well against fierce winds and crashing waves, but needed to be reset. There are several large stones to help a fluke anchor to be set for the stern, but a heavy claw anchor may be the best bet to anchor in this spot. When the sea is calm, Goat Harbor is glassy and allows for excellent exploration of the pristine turquoise, super-clear waters and native fishes in the harbor. However, when the Pacific Ocean picks up (usually in the afternoons), there is little protection Goat Harbor offers, esp from N or NW winds. In these conditions, your boat will take a pounding and anchoring gear will be put to the test. The sea is LOUD under these conditions, but it is somewhat soothing esp at night to hear crashing waves from the tent. Animals are generally not an issue at this campsite, somewhat surprisingly given the amount of leftover trash in the fire pits that i encountered upon my arrival. Buffalo tend to stay atop the hillsides and do not seem to venture down the steep hills and cliffs. The endangered Catalina fox can occasionally turn up, and likes to forage on garbage. Be sure to secure your food supplies & garbage at night. A fox that i encountered seemed to be a juvenile, was not afraid of humans, but was not interested in interacting either. Insects were abound at the campsite, but this was largely due to crumbs, food waste, and sugary drink spills near the picnic tables. The insects crawl under the rocks searching for the spilled materials, so they generally stay near your feet (I was stung on the foot) and out of the breeze. Recommendation would be to move the picnic tables if you plan on using them to an area that has less spillage. Seabirds can turn up but in generally small numbers and they are not aggressive towards campers and their food. Sea lion pups swam up in the cove on a gentle day to wave! Overall, the three biggest recommendations for an enjoyable camp in Goat Harbor are 1) take care of your trash 2) be prepared for the toilet situation 3) a sturdy anchoring strategy Recommendations for CDFW: take a hedge trimmer to the latrine area, clean out the latrine at least once a year, and get rid of the garbage in the fire pits. Thanks!!