Early-morning light illuminates a campsite at Montaña de Oro State Park on Californias Central Coast. The parks main 50-site campground offers primitive sites that include fire pits, pit toilets and nearby drinking water for car campers as well as trailers and motor homes under 27 feet (no showers or hookups). (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Rugged, secluded beaches are a Montaña de Oro signature. (Tim Hubbard / Los Angeles Times)
Montaña de Oro features 8,000-plus acres of buckled seascape and trail-lined hills, along with the occasional rattlesnake and mountain lion. (Tim Hubbard / Los Angeles Times)
The striking seascape, hidden from neighboring tourist magnets such as Big Sur, Hearst Castle and Morro Rock, used to be a local secret until it started popping up on tourist guides. Campground reservations are now essential between spring and Thanksgiving. (Tim Hubbard / Los Angeles Times)
