Donner State Park California Camping

Donner Memorial State Park is located near the town of Truckee in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Donner pass is where in 1846 members of the Donner party were stranded as them attempted to make a late season crossing over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. According to history some members of the group resorted to cannibalism to survive. The Emigrant Trail Museum at Donner State Park has exhibits

Mt Diablo State Park

Mt Diablo State Park is a popular summer day trip from San Francisco. Most visitors attempt to climb 3,864 feet to the summit of Mt Diablo. Those that make it are rewarded by one of the most spectacular views in the golden state. The vista from the top includes the Golden Gate Bridge and with binoculars, even Yosemite's Half Dome can be spotted. Activities at the park include hiking, camping and

San Simeon State Park Camping

San Simeon State Park is the most affordable place to stay near Hearst Castle. During the summer reservations are a good idea. From October 1st through the middle of March campsites are first come first serve. There is a self pay system where you mark your camping spot number on an envelope and deposit it in a box along with the fee. There are two campgrounds here San Simeon Creek Campground and

Silver Strand Beach San Diego

Silver Strand State Beach is only minutes away from downtown San Diego. The beach is on a strip of sand that separates the Pacific Ocean from San Diego Bay. At one time a train ran along the sand spit bringing tourist to the Hotel Del Coronado. Today highway 75 splits the park into two sections ocean and bay. Beach camping is permitted on the Pacific Ocean side with some sites backing right onto

Brannan Island California

In Southern California going to the river means the Colorado river. In northern California going to the river means the Sacramento River. Brannan Island State Recreation Area is located on the banks of the Sacramento river midway between San Francisco and Sacramento California. During the summer the campsites and river are overflowing with people eager to cool off in the Sacramento river. Popular

New Brighton State Beach

New Brighton State Beach is located south of Santa Cruz California in the town of Capitola. The beach is very popular during the summer months for both day use and beach camping. The 111 campsites are on a bluff overlooking northern Monterey Bay. Nearby is Seacliff’s famous fishing pier which has a concrete tanker at its end, the SS Palo Alto. It was built during World War I, when wartime steel

Camping Big Bear San Bernardino Mountains

Big Bear Lake and the surrounding San Bernardino mountians are a favorite camping destination for Southern Californians's. Low landers head up the mountain to escape the heat and smog of the valleys below without the long drive to northern California.San Bernardino National Forest campgroundsBig Pine Flats Campground - Located in the mountains in a pine forest at an elevation of 6820 feet.

Caswell State Park Camping Trip

Caswell Memorial State Park is an oasis of oak trees in a sea of farm land in the California central Valley. The Stanislaus River runs through Caswell State Park and during the summer campers can cool off in the slow moving waterway. There are 65 campsites most of which face the river. During the week you can have the park to yourself. Weekends Caswell State Park is full of campers from the San

Laguna Mountain Recreation Area

Laguna Mountain Recreation Area is loacted 50 miles east of San Diego and 5500 feet above sea level. Popular activities today include camping, hiking, picnicking, snow play, horseback riding, scenic driving, photography, and nature study.Hiking trails within the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area are:Pacific Crest Trail - 37 miles (foot & horse)Horse thief Trail - 1.2 miles (foot)Espinosa Trail -

Summer Beach Camping Season - California

Summer is just around the corner and one of the most favorite activities is beach camping. Reservations for the most popular locations are being snapped up fast so its time to pick your camping spot before they sell out. California residents not only have to compete with other Californians but visitors from out of state and even out of country. On a recent visit to San Clemente State Beach we met

Upper Little Truckee Campground

The Upper Little Truckee Campground has only 24 campsites. In the summer if your lucky enough to reserve a spot you can look forward to trout fishing, hiking, bicycling and camping alongside of the Little Truckee River. Upper Little Truckee Campground is located on Highway 89 12 miles north of Truckee. Reservations must be made 3 day in advance and a 2 night minimum on weekends and 3 night

California State Parks Camping

The state of California maintains over 480 campgrounds most of which are open year round. Campsite locations range from beach front to mountain high. You can stay close to civilization of enjoy a total escape out in the middle of nowhere. Reservations for camping at California state parks can be made up to seven months in advance. For some of the most popular places, reserving a spot is an

Frog Meadow Guard Station

If your looking for an off the beaten path camping experience Frog Meadow Guard Station is the place for you. The station is located near Tobias Peak and is available for overnight rental from June 1 to November 15.Cabin History: Frog Meadow Guard Station was constructed between 1933 and 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC) to provide a residence for Forest Service fire patrolmen

Calico Ghost Town Camping

Calico Ghost Town is in the mountains near the Barstow California. Once a thriving silver mining center, Calico is now a tourist stop on the way to Las Vegas just off Interstate 15. The town has quite a few of the original buildings plus it's own little railroad. If your traveling in an RV the Barstow/ Calico KOA Campground is just three miles away and offers a free shuttle up to the ghost town.

Hearst San Simeon State Park Camping

San Simeon State Park is located about 30 miles north of San Luis Obispo. The park is the closest campground to Hearst Castle and offers a fun alternative to staying at an expensive motel. The 541 acre park has about two miles of rocky shore plus two campgrounds. This tranquil getaway has many recreational options including hiking, beach combing and water sports. One of the most popular hikes is

Napa Valley State Park

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park has the the only campgrounds in Napa Valley. So if your planning on spending some time in Napa Valley and on a tight budget this is the place. There's hiking trails through stands of maple and oak, picnic grounds, a swimming pool which is open in the summer and historical places of interest. There are only 37 campsites at Napa Valley State Park so during the summer

San Clemente State Beach

San Clemente State Beach is the place the locals don't want you to know about. This pristine California beach is located about a mile south of the pier. Thanks to the state of California there is a large metered parking lot at the end of Avenida Calafia. After parking just cross the railroad track and your on the beach. For hiking there are quite a few trails to explore some of which run up small

Crystal Cove Camping Southern California

All that is left of the trailer park above Crystal Cove Beach is pictures like the one above. Construction crews are clearing the 35 acres of canyon and beach, and transforming the site into Southern California's first coastal campground in two decades. Workers are now ripping out nonnative plants, removing concrete foundations, demolishing outbuildings, and taking out old power lines and other

Carpinteria State Beach - Santa Barbara

Carpinteria State Beach is called the “the safest beach in the world” by locals and is definitely one of the best beaches along the Southern California coast. Beach camping is a favorite pass time at Carpinteria State Beach. There is even an Amtrak Pacific Surfliner station within walking distance of the campground so it's possible to take the train and go tent camping at this great beach.