Reservecalifornia Reviews 108

I tried to book reservations and was getting web site errors like: Server Error in '/CaliforniaWebHome' Application. Runtime Error Description: An application error occurred on the server.

I contacted Reserve California customer service who forwarded my message to their web host Conduent.com. Soon afterwards I am trying to book a reservation at reservecalifornia.com and the web site keeps showing "403 Forbidden".

I am wondering if this is a fake website. I booked a campsite in Henry Coe State Park. You pay extra $7.99 for the reservation that are non refundable when you cancel. Campgrounds are closed due to the fires and I did not get any notification. My wife just found out by accident going to the official .gov website. Now I cancelled the campsite and instead of providing me back the amount I paid for the reservation I get the email message and invoice stating they are going to refund me a negative $$ value (-$12.01). Don't use.

We have been going to the same beach campsite (bolsa chica sb ) for the last 15 years, back when we used Reserve America. Never had too many problems and was usually able to get a spot at this beach.. Now everytime I try and get our favorite camping spot , its gone... Its like someone was able to get into the system ahead of everyone else... Its sad....

Beware before you book. Picture on there website doesn't match the actual campsite. If you cancel they charge you $7.99 cancelation fee and another $7.99 of your reservation fee. $16 for each site you cancel.

This website is complete trash. The search option is useless and unreliable. I just wanted to search for open spots anywhere and that is impossible. I shouldn't expect much since it is a California Government product. Waste of tax payer money for sure.

If I could rate on a minus scale I would . Useless, and a complete waste of time .

If I got put zero stars I would. They have no idea how the system works, all given different information and are incredibly rude. It’s terrible that such a wonderful campground network can be run so terribly

If the campground is closed because of COVID why don't you say so when typing in the campground instead of taking me to an unrelated site that is open? Please improve the web-site just look at all the problems listed and nothing happens. Heck, we Californian residents are charged enough state taxes to at least have a presentable reservation site. This is an embarrassment to all visitors!

I tried to make an reservation on line, using my existing account information. The site froze up multiple times and then finally began to work after approximately 1/2 hr. I then tried to log on. The site said my e-mail address "DID NOT EXIST". I then went to I forgot my password, and they still said my e-mail "DID NOT EXIST". I then went on to make a new account in my name. Used my existing e-mail address and physical address, the site came back and said the post office has no record of my address and there is all ready an account with that e-mail address. Totally Confused!!!!
I am now very frustrated!!!
I called Reserve California this morning. Talked to a rep. After a long conversation, he said my name doesn't exist on the account. How did this happen? He couldn't answer my question. He said someone else's name is on the account. We then went through names in the household and some how my, 30 yr. old daughters name ended up on the account in place of mine. Most likely when she made a reservation, sometime in the past for one of her trips. He would not change or create a new account in my name because of their rules "Only one name can have an account per household" and now the account is in my daughters name. I just want my account back so I can make reservations, nothing more nothing less.
On top of everything the "Rep." was not very helpful in trying to resolve my issue. I don't think they want to reserve space at any of their sites, just make it a miserable as possible....Just not helpful at all!!!!
My e-mail address exists, but it doesn't exist...Hope they can figure this one out.

Sucks , nothing is ever available. System is seriously flawed !!!!!

TERRIBLE system, and terrible policy not even listed anywhere on their website or the states website.
Old System at ReserveAmerica was so much better. I genuinely HATE the new system.

Makes no sense to book a site for 7 days just to modify it twice to extend it our to get the days you need. Oh and be careful if you want to book two sites during the same time. If the (never available) sites dates do not match exactly you cannot book them together.

And refunds take forever.
Guess this site runs just like California, backwards and makes no sense.

It used to be easier when it was reserve America. Now its impossible to get anything. I think they hold their own popular spots for themselves or friends and family. I used to get a spot every year with the other system. Now its impossible. Someone needs to investigate this issue.

can I rate it with a negative rating, as in "negative stars"? The website is a disaster and a waste of our tax dollars; a huge injustice to the citizens of this state. How can this be allowed to continue?

Can we give Zero stars. This is the worst thing CA State Parks ever did. How long are they locked into this crap system? They obviously went with the lowest bidder for a new program and have done nothing to help the average Joe. This morning 11/21/19 I have not even been able to get on to their site and it's been over an hour and there's nothing wrong with my computer.
Sooooo disappointed.

Definitely the worst reservation site I have ever tried to use. Unless you want a Wednesday night in November you have no hope of getting a reservation. But the system cheats by making it look like sites are available, then you find they are all ADA and you can't reserve them. Then you have to back allll the way out and try again with different dates. Why you can't filter is beyond me. All the other issues raised by other reviewers I don't need to reiterate. It's appalling our tax money, in California, home of the best engineers in the world, paid for this crap.

Buyer BEWARE! Made a Reservation for the weekend and had to cancel due to my Dad undergoing surgery. Yet another way the state scams the residents out of money. This site is a money trap and im very angry on how the State of California treats its tax paying citizens

I was one step away from being done with my reservation and then all of the sudden it was no longer available. Why the **** would you allow multiple to be booking the same site at one time? Other sites give you 15 minutes or you lose it. There goes taking my daughter camping next weekend. ********.

Another government waste of money. Seems like the site is using IIS/ASP platform which NO ONE uses this days and it is filled with bugs. When I click on reserve, sometimes it is sends me to a wrong park or create another nested screen inside. I only used it for 5 mins and experienced 3 bugs/crashes. If I design a website like this, I would get fired.

Campsites are coded with 4 letter words and I cannot seem to translate that to actual campsite names found in Google maps or camp brochure.

I have a loathing hatred for the Reserve California website. It’s glitchy, it puts the user into futile loops of wasted time, and just when you think you have paid and it has reserved your camping site (after hours of trying)...there is no record that it actually happened. We work hard and we just want to go camping with family to rest and get a break from the “hamster wheel”. The state’s site is a completely disrespectful and negligent disservice to the people of California and those visiting from other states. My family just wants to go camping this Summer...California, can you please contract with a private sector company that knows what they are doing and fix the site? Have you seen the reviews? Government inefficiency as expected...total fail. Thank you for trying, I guess.

PS: Please get rid of the four Capchas that are entirely unnecessary. They are frustrating and waste more than half of the time on the countdown clock that we have to rush through to “secure” our reservation...that we never really secure.

Reserve California is still very flawed. 2019 was supposed to be an improved version. The major problem is campsite reservation holders have ability to change the name of the campsite recipient. This means they can book the site and sell it to someone else. This problem is rampant and seems like an obvious fix. Also, they book the sites for early in the week six months in advance. Then just modify it to extend thru the weekend. Total BS.....