Haven't camped there but Jumbo Rocks seemed like a place that avoided the "camping in a vast flat expanse" feeling. And every camp site comes with its mountain to climb.

I love Joshua Tree, but not for camping. I like more private places with trees. And water.

Ok, Joshua Tree shot down. Someone else's turn to name a place.

(Unless we're all just sitting around waiting for NA to organize things.)

My next suggest to include trees and water will be Olympic National Park so definitely someone else's turn.

She's got nothing better to do.

Big Sur
San Simeon
Mono Lake
Mammoth Lakes

When does Tioga Pass usually open each year (for Mono or Mammoth)?

Though not camping I believe there was a big group outing to the San Simeon area a couple years ago, right?

Tioga pass depends on snowfall etc - it's not a set date. Looks like average is mid Mayish link

San Simeon was rated one of the top campgrounds so I threw that in there.

How about San Onofre?

Intriguing suggestiong, delightfully local. Not sure how many trees it's got, but I'd be game.

Wasn't Disneyphile talking once about a place in the Angeles Nat'l Forest that had great group campgrounds as well? That might be another to consider.

I could definitely go for that. only beach camping Ive ever really done was waking up at sunrise after a party. might be nice to plan it a little beforehand. :P