Life
Sleep Under the Starry Skies on a California Camping Trip
Author: California Travel & Tourism Commission
Published on Jun 12, 2008 - 7:53:30 AM

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 10, 2008 -- Camping is more popular than ever, especially with families. With summer right around the corner, there is no better time to explore the outdoors than on a California camping vacation. With hundreds of beach, mountain, desert and lake campgrounds to choose from, visitors of all ages can easily find their perfect campsite in the Golden State.

According to the Adventure Travel Report (as referenced by the Travel Industry Association), camping is the number one outdoor vacation activity in America, with one-third of U.S. adults having gone on at least one camping vacation in the past five years. And, it's not a solo experience. According to the report, most of these camping travelers are married with children who are also taking part in the adventure.

"Campers in California can literally pitch their tent in a completely new site every night because the state offers an extensive variety of natural settings not found anywhere else," said Caroline Beteta, president and chief executive officer of the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC). "But there is one constant, and that's the connection to nature. Whether it's hiking through a wooded forest, enjoying a lakeside swim or toasting up s'mores around the campfire, campers now have the perfect opportunity to immerse themselves in California's pristine environment at area campsites."

With so many campgrounds in California to choose from, it can be overwhelming for the first-time visitor and the seasoned camping vacationer alike. That's why California Tourism has put together a list of the state's most popular sites that offer some of the best direct access to the Golden State's natural beauty. To make the most of their trip, travelers are advised to plan ahead, as reservations can be made months in advance.

In the North Coast Region, Patrick's Point State Park, located 25 miles north of Eureka, offers three camping areas near some of California's most impressive coastal scenery. Vacationers can expect to find sheer cliffs, tide pools, beaches covered in semi-precious pebbles and old sea stacks that rise in the surf like skyscrapers. Most campsites are found in the park's spruce, hemlock, fir and red alder forests, some with ocean views. Located 45 miles south of Eureka, Humboldt Redwoods State Park has the largest old growth redwood forest and more than 250 family campsites in three main campgrounds. In Mendocino, Caspar State Beach is popular with local surfers, abalone divers and sea kayakers, and is becoming better known to visitors. Some travelers choose to bunk at Caspar Beach RV Park, which has space for tents and trailers and is tucked away in a small oceanside cove next to Caspar State Beach, also a great venue for family picnics and beachcombing.

Next door in the Shasta Cascade Region, history buffs will want to reserve a spot at the Plumas-Eureka State Park, 5 miles west of Graeagle. This 4,500-acre park is rich in history in addition to its abundant recreational and natural offerings. The park's museum offers a variety of interpretive programs, which include tours of a miner's home, a partially restored stamp mill and demonstrations at a blacksmith shop. Once a month during the summer, docents in period attire re-create a miner's lifestyle during Gold Discovery Days. The park also features a myriad of hiking trails leading to four lakes and a 67-site, forest-laden campground along Jamison Creek.

Located at the base of the Sierra foothills, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area in Folsom, part of the Gold Country Region, provides opportunities for hiking, biking, running, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, water-skiing and boating. Fishing offers trout, catfish, big and small mouth bass and perch. For cyclists, there is a 32-mile-long bicycle path that connects Folsom Lake with many Sacramento County parks before reaching Old Sacramento. The park also includes Lake Natoma, downstream from Folsom Lake, which is popular for crew races, sailing, kayaking and other aquatic sports.

With a heritage as a gathering place for Native Americans, Meeks Bay Resort & Marina on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe offers a pristine setting for playing in the sun or enjoying the area's many water sports. Located in the High Sierra Region, vacationers choose from lakefront lodging, 12 campgrounds and 22 full RV hook-up sites. Nearby Camp Richardson Resort in South Lake Tahoe offers lakeside cabins surrounded by tall pines with spectacular views of the country's largest alpine lake. The Camp Richardson Hotel provides 28 rooms with the feel of quaint Tahoe charm, featuring log furniture, lamps and pictures that complement the décor. Donner Memorial State Park, located on Donner Lake in Truckee, provides 154 campsites, along with easy access to the Emigrant Trail Museum and Pioneer Monument.

On the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, travelers can camp with the stars – both literally and figuratively. Celebrities discovered camping in Mono County after film companies began shooting here. In the 1930s and '40s, Trumbull Lake Campground (20 miles south of Bridgeport), at an elevation of 9,650 feet, was often visited by Hollywood stars in search of serenity, fishing, hiking and camping. Mono County's alpine and high plains landscape subsequently became famous in such classics as High Plains Drifter (1973) and True Grit (1969). Another way to guarantee seeing stars is to camp. Nearly all of the 2,139 campsites at 61 campgrounds in Inyo and Toiyabe National Forests are at elevations from 7,000 to 10,000 feet, which means travelers can see billions of stars each night in Mono County's inky-black sky.

But camping is not always about roughing it. Outdoor enthusiasts seeking a "glamping" (glamour camping) adventure can also enjoy California's majestic landscape, all while indulging in luxurious comforts, such as steaming hot showers, daily maid service and gourmet cuisine, including five-course dinners served alfresco. Located at 8,200 feet in the Central Valley Region, the Sequoia High Sierra Camp is a backcountry retreat that offers deluxe accommodations and amenities in a secluded Sequoia National Forest setting. To reach the post, guests drive to a trailhead and follow an easy 1-mile route or hike a well-marked, 12-mile backcountry trail that leads to the camp. Many visitors take part in scenic hikes, fly fishing, wildlife watching and wildflower walks. Additionally, both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offer more than 1,200 developed camping sites, with fire rings and grills, tables and bear-proof storage.

In Santa Cruz, part of the San Francisco Bay Area Region, Big Basin Redwoods State Park is a favorite among campers and was named one of the Top 10 State Parks in America by Camping Life magazine, which cited the park's unique combination of land, water, flora, fauna, vista, legend and lore. Visitors can expect to find 18,000 acres of old growth redwood forest and the largest continuous stand of ancient redwoods south of San Francisco. The 106-year-old park offers 80 miles of trails alongside creeks, waterfalls and giant trees. For campers who demand modern conveniences while away from home, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Felton, with its 15 miles of hiking and riding trails through a forest that looks much the same as it did 200 years ago, offers wireless high-speed Internet so guests can share digital pictures of their vacation with friends.

To experience the rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, tide pools and miles of coastline, streams, canyons and hills in the Central Coast Region, many campers head to the 8,000-acre Montana de Oro State Park, the largest state park in San Luis Obispo County. Naturalists and backpackers enjoy the solitude and freedom found along the park's trails. There are also mountain biking and equestrian trails, as well as a campground that offers 50 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs. Another hot spot for outdoor enthusiasts is the Pismo Coast Village RV Resort, which is located right on the beach. The resort, which is within walking distance to shopping and a variety of seafood restaurants, offers 400 sites that include picnic tables, fire rings, utilities and satellite TV hook-ups.

And for those campers who prefer a less rustic option, El Capitan Canyon, 20 miles north of Santa Barbara, provides luxury camping with its cedar cabins and safari tents, complete with down duvets, linens and plush towels. Cabins have full bathrooms and kitchenettes, and some have hot tubs and gas fireplaces. The spacious safari tents feature electric lighting, screened windows and doors with zip-down flaps. Guests can check out complimentary beach cruisers and take the five-minute bike ride to famed El Capitan State Beach. Camp activities also include outdoor concerts, yoga and stargazing.

There are plenty of campgrounds for outdoor enthusiasts to choose from in Ventura. McGrath State Park has 174 campgrounds and is considered one of the best bird-watching areas in California for its native species. Emma Wood State Beach allows campers to camp right on the Pacific Ocean. Campers enjoy swimming and surfing without having to stray too far from their campground. Three blocks away from Main Street in the heart of Ventura, San Buenaventura State Beach gives visitors a chance to camp on the beach, while not missing out on the festivities of the Promenade and Pier.

Camping vacations start off on the right foot in the Deserts Region, where travelers take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs to access the beauty of Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area. On the trip, guests enjoy an uncommon view of the Coachella Valley and the surrounding area. At the park, majestic trees, spectacular views and quiet meadows provide an exceptional backdrop for campers at the 49 campsites to see mule deer and California gray squirrels. Located on the southern edge of the Mojave Desert, the Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground offers panoramic views of the North Face of Joshua Tree National Park, along with desert vistas. The rustic, 40-acre family campground offers 44 RV spaces, along with tenting areas, a playground and a fishing lake. It's within close proximity to hiking, rock climbing and ranger-led programs and tours. The 794,000-acre Joshua Tree National Park also hosts campers at its nine campgrounds with more than 530 individual campsites.

Windsurfing and hiking the canyon are popular activities at Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu, located in the Los Angeles County Region. It's also a great place for exploring as the beach boasts tide pools, coastal caves and reefs. There are giant sycamores that shade the main campgrounds. Just 25 miles from downtown Los Angles, Malibu Creek State Park is situated on 7,000 acres and features hiking, fishing, bird watching and horseback riding. There are 15 miles of streamside trail through oak and sycamore woodlands and chaparral-covered slopes. The park was the center of Chumash Native American life for centuries and was once used to film numerous movies and television shows, such as Planet of the Apes and M*A*S*H.

Only in California can travelers camp under the stars right in the middle of wine country. At Lake Skinner, 10 miles east of Temecula and part of the Inland Empire Region, campers can take advantage of some nontraditional camping activities as well, such as the annual Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival June 6-8, which attracts thousands of visitors. There are more than 300 campsites for both tent and RV campers at the lake, along with more than 30 award-winning wineries open for tasting, just minutes away. The site also hosts a swimming pool and café that is open on the weekends for breakfast and lunch.

In Dana Point, Doheny State Beach is actually two parks in one - with camping in the southern area (that feature some campsites only steps away from the beach) and day use in the northern area, where there is a 5-acre lawn with picnic facilities and volleyball courts. Surfing is also popular in this part of the Orange County Region but is restricted to the north end of the beach. With its 160 bluff-top campsites, San Clemente State Beach is one of the most popular beaches in California. The mile-long beach, located on the south end of the city of San Clemente, stretches between the curling ocean surf and the foot of a steep bluff. Midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, the park attracts water sports enthusiasts and those seeking respite from the inland heat or an escape from nearby metropolitan areas.

Located in San Diego North in the town of Encinitas, San Elijo State Beach offers swimming, surfing and shell seeking. Perched atop of the bluffs, the campground stretches nearly a mile, offering 171 sites along the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Known as a popular surf spot, the campground even has its own Eli Howard Surf School onsite. East of San Diego, the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, also located in the San Diego County Region, with its 600,000 acres of desert, is one of the richest living museums in the country and offers a wealth of camping possibilities, from full-service campgrounds to find-your-own-spot settings. It's one of the few places in San Diego County where camping is allowed outside of designated campgrounds. Travelers can enjoy auto touring on 4x4 routes, as well as biking, hiking, horseback riding and sightseeing.

For camping of a different nature, visitors can embark to the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park for a unique overnight camping experience through its Roar & Snore program, available during the summer months. Campers sleep in tents at Kilima Point, a grassy area overlooking the park's East Africa enclosure; the elephant and tiger yards are located to the west of the campground. A fence borders the East Africa enclosure, but rhinos, giraffes and gazelles can meander within a few feet of campers' sleeping grounds. Guests are given tent accommodations, dinner, campfire snack, pancake breakfast, camp activities and a private after-hours tour.

The CTTC is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs - in partnership with the state's travel industry - that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to the CTTC, travel and tourism expenditures total $96.7 billion annually in California, support jobs for 924,100 Californians and generate $5.8 billion in state and local tax revenues.

For more information about the CTTC and for a free California Visitor's Guide, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com.

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