Sunday, January 19, 2014

What are the 5 best camping areas on the Northern Coast of California?

large car camping tents on Fishing Another favourite pastime in the area is fishing and its ...
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blueskys


We are looking for great camping areas north of San Francisco along the coast. We want to stay fairly close to the ocean, have dogs, bikes, hiking shoes and a tent. We will go as far as the Oregon border but hopefully not that far.

We hope to stay in 2-3 different locations with different environments.

What are your favorite camping areas and why?

Thanks so much!



Answer
My favorites are:

Van Damme State Park just south of Mendocino. This park has a sheltered cove that is great for kayaking (tours available), and a really nice trail up the Little River. Mendocino is worth a visit.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (Elk Prairie Campground). This park has wonderful redwood forests. Don't miss the drive out to the coast. The hike through Fern Canyon is a must.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (almost to the Oregon border, but the best campground on the list). This is a spectacular campground on the banks of the Smith River. Stout Grove is just across the river from the campground and is one of the most magnificent groves of redwoods I've ever seen. The drive on Howland Hill road is incredible (dirt road, passable in most cars).

Not bad:

MacKerricher State Park. On the coast with lots of harbor seals.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Albee Creek Campground (may not have trailer sites). The nearby Rockefeller Forest is the largest old-growth redwood forest left in California. Rumors are that the tallest tree in the world is in this grove, but the people who measure these things are pretty secretive.

Are there any places in San Diego to do at-large tent camping on a beach?




AppleCard!


I am going on a road trip this summer and San Diego is one of my destinations. I'd like to spend a night tent camping on or next to the beach, but not at a campground really, especially since reservations are hard to come by last minute. I'm looking for a place where I can just pick any spot on the beach and set up my tent.


Answer
When I was in high school my buddies and I would camp out at Black's Beach so that we can surf really early the next day. Although, we wouldn't set up any tents, build any bon fires, or drink any beers in hopes that we wouldn't get caught. See... We weren't so sure if this was actually legal to be there overnight. But we did it anyway. Also, please be advised that Black's Beach has a reputation for being a nude beach. Not like that's what my buddies and I did! Heck we just wanted to surf! But, it did give us a tad bit of security in hoping the authorities would turn a blind eye to that beach. Seeing that being nude in public is essentially illegal as well! Anyway, you will need to hike some to get to the beach. I would say find street (public) parking up near Torrey Pines Gliderport and look for the trail down to the beach.

OR just get a reservation at the San Onofre State Beach. I recommend a weekday as your best bet. Then you don't have to worry about nudist, if your car is safe overnight, or the police.

Either way...Have fun.




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