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Want to save money and stay closer to nature? Here are five prime coastal campgrounds. They're all part of the state park system ([800] 444-7275, www.parks.ca.gov), and they book up fast. Fees vary from $11 to $44 per night. They're listed south to north:

* Crystal Cove State Park ( www.crystalcovebeachcottages.org) offers 14 rentable beach cottages on 3 1/2 miles of coastline. They book fast; reservations may be made the first of the month, seven months ahead.

* Leo Carrillo State Park, 28 miles north of Santa Monica. Campsites, 1 1/2 miles of beach.

* Carpinteria State Beach, 20 miles south of Santa Barbara, is crowded in summer but convenient to a quaint town and a mile of beach with gentle tides.

* Montaña de Oro State Park, 6 miles southwest of Morro Bay, features 8,000 acres of rugged headlands full of tide pools, dramatic rock formations and walking and mountain-biking trails.

* Patrick's Point State Park, 25 miles north of Eureka in Humboldt County. Lagoons, redwoods, meadows, frequent fog, heavy rains between October and April.

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