Tips on camping with a toddler in southern california in a westy

[jtaby]

I've had a 1991 Westy for 10 years, but I haven't used to camp much since pandemic (or before, really).
In the first couple of years I got it I was single, so I took it on 2 two-month-long trips and worked remotely. Super fond memories of those trips.

Since then, I moved to LA, got married, started a company, pandemic, and had a kid, which means long aimless camping roadtrips became impossible, and short trips involved more planning, so I stopped doing that.

My kid is 2.5 years old now, and I'd like to build more camping/vanagon memories with him, but I have a few questions I'm hoping you can help me answer and build my confidence/knowledge for going camping with a family in California.
1. California campgrounds seem to consistently be full. How do you find spaces for a weekend (fri-sun) to reserve? Is there a system/trick I don't know about?
2. How far ahead do you plan?
3. Is it reasonably safe to just use the wait-belt to strap down a car seat for the toddler?
4. My wife would like to have a campground with more facilities than BLM/undeveloped camping (toilets, ideally a shower), which adds more constraints on finding a good campsite. Any suggestions of where we can go?
5. Any other tips on camping with a young kid?
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1991 Vanagon GL Camper

[PatJr]

I've had better luck booking sites during the week, weekdays and not on the weekend. Campgrounds with a shower??? That's tough. Maybe she could compromise with a shower tent?

looks like the sacrifice and effort will be well worth it

=== I don't know if this will work, it's a post from this thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=100

[Abscate]

Waist belt is fine for a car seat. Adjust it nice and tight
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.ssS!

[cbeck]

Popular national parks and campgrounds are usually gone shortly after opened in the reservation system.
Rv sales went crazy during the pandemic. Way more rv's than camping sites. People literally start making reservations early on January 1st for national parks for the year. Our state parks reserve up to one year in advance. Boondocking is growing in popularity. If your woman will squat in the woods, she's a keeper.
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My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[Emily's Owner]

[Abscate]

From sailing with 7 girls from 6-16 on the Cape…the Lady J is a great accessory for remote level 0 plumbed encounters.
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.ssS!

[Cusser]

[Joe 20]

Motel 6...that's camping,right?
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"Someday the world is gonna be populated by nothing but Volkswagens'" Corporal Klairvoy

[Emily's Owner]

[DesertSasquatchXploration]

Ventura Ranch Koa is Great for kids!

Book in advance you want ALDER Site 24

The best spot in the whole park We go twice a year Love it!
Hit up the Vons supermarket in town before, Stock up on food.

https://koa.com/campgrounds/ventura-ranch/map/

I have Made a Youtube video Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEoWW38aC8U

They sell Ice in the main store have great showers and bathrooms
We bring our little 13ft scamp fits great a Westy would be perfect the site has water and electric and is close to a bathroom

[DesertSasquatchXploration]