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Time to start thinking about possible places to consider for Camping 2009. Usually we have to book by Jan to get the popular Camping locations. Hence during the holidays it may make sense for people to browse and put down interesting camping locations.
For the past 2 years, we have been going near the coastal side. So maybe in 2009, we can aim to go inwards (near some lake or river) and hence eliminate the coastal campsites.
Our usual requirements for camping are : within 200 miles, near some water body, should have showers and flush toilets, should be able to reserve specific sites, should have picnic tables on site.
If you have an interesting campsite that you know of please put it down here.
For reference to other camping venues recommended earlier by KVites:
http://www.kavita.kutchvalley.com/?p=60
Thanks for making it a pinned article 🙂
San Luis Reservoir for 2009?
Too close and not that great of a campground. The swimming options are great though :-). Definitely not a 2 night campground.
Besides KV has never repeated any camping place till now :-).
Petaluma KOA or Cloverdale KOA?
KOA Cloverdale is one option: It has boating, a swimming pool, sometimes deers come right nextdoors, and plus the Russian River is closeby too (in driving distance).
http://www.winecountrykoa.com
Our pictures from KOA Cloverdale: http://flickr.com/photos/dimprash/sets/72157600711496657/
KOA Petaluma was also fun for the Kids. However its closeby to the highway (101) and there was manure smell since the field is nearby. However they had an animal show, arts and craft, etc and the kids had fun. They also have a central kitchen which can be used to warm food. They have an awesome play structure too. However this is not nature camping as such. 🙂
http://www.petalumakoa.com/
Our photos from Petaluma KOA:
http://flickr.com/photos/dimprash/sets/72157594212357094/
New Melones Lake (Glory Hole Recreation Area) :
http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/field_offices/new_melones/camping.html
Nice lakeview side campsites, beautiful views of lake, Play area for kids, Amphitheater, drinking fountain :-).
However it did get cold in the night. And the swimming area in the lake was dried up. So there was no swimming possible. However you can rent motor boats and drive them yourself.
Also within driving distance of 30-45 mins there are some interesting things including caves etc that you can explore.
http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/field_offices/new_melones/planning_visit.html
Our photos from this Camping:
http://flickr.com/photos/dimprash/sets/72157605571228441/
One caveat regarding above 3 campgrounds is that both me and dimple have never visited any campsite twice. :-). So we are always looking forward to new campsites.
If you know of some new interesting campsites please let us know.
How about camping in Yosemite? Has anyone tried that?
The problem with Yosemite is that we have a huge number of folks (around 70 to 80) and it could get difficult to get reservations.
Anyone has availability info on Yosemite camping?
http://www.lakemcclure.com/information_center/
There seem to be quite a few campsites within the area – all in the vicinity of a lake.
I have heard from friends that there are alot of mosquito problems while camping in Yosemite.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
Though Bear could have feast at our expense (based on amount of food we carry) at both places – Yosemite & Sequoia 🙂
Since the thought is to have a different campsite every visit :), how about a different camping experience as well.
i.e non water sport campsite, essentially close to the nature campsite then. I definitely see lot of eyebrow’s going up 🙂
We have camped in Yosemite and Sequoia National Park. We didn’t have any mosquito problem at Yosemite.
Two important aspects of KV camping are food and (late) night entertainment. Bear will become our friend after smelling all the food that we carry. And park rangers at these places are more strict about noise after 10pm.
Other camping options:
* Vicinity of Lake Tahoe area
* Whiskeytown area on Lake Shashta.
need to finalize venue before end of month. 🙂
Popular Campsites in California:
http://www.tripleblaze.com/best/?c=59
Portola State Park and Lake Del Valle are the more nearer options. Both within 1 hour.
Samuel Taylor Park – Its very close to San Francisco.
Has great reviews on Yelp:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/samuel-p-taylor-state-park-lagunitas
Big Basin and Turlock Lake SRA unfortunately dont offer site-specific reservations.
From the info provided on the website, Lake Del valle seems to be a good option.
China Camp
Palvi recommended Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Looks nice but unfortunately they offer non-site specific bookking. The Group Sites are booked also. Can try for next year.
I like Portola SP….
Another option is San Mateo County Memorial Park . It is adjoining Portola. Yelp
About to finalize on San Mateo County Memorial Park. Raise concerns if any.
They have a very cool reservation system. And you can see pictures of each site also.
If the Venue is so close to home – there is a risk of folks running errands 🙂 🙂
10$ everytime you leave the campground. 🙂
This year we are a bit late in booking and hence some of the popular camping places for a group this large are gone.
Lets try out this experience for a change this year. Will mean more relaxing time than traveling time.
For next year’s camping, we plan to make the booking this May/June itself so that we can get into some popular parks.
Appears to be good candidate for some future camping
Spring Lake Regional Park