I'm considering a NoCal camping trip. Where's the good spots?

[maveric]

I've heard that Pt. Reyes is beautiful and a great place for a photo shoot. Thats on my list, as is Redwood country, where I've never been before.
I'm looking for campgrounds in Redwood country and Pt. Reyes. The grounds must have restroom and shower facilities.
Can anyone recommend some spots?
I'll be driving up from San Diego within the next 1-3 weeks.

[Droopy]

1. Lake Shasta always looked pretty to me

But I've never camped there.

[maveric]

3. Looking for a spot in Pt. Reyes.

Is that near Redwood country?
Lake Shasta is a possibility.

[Droopy]

8. Here's a cool link for you.

http://www.shastalake.com/

I think you will find all the info you need there.

[maveric]

9. Thank you! Looks like what I'm looking for.

I just need to get out of the city and away from those I love for a couple of weeks. A clean and quiet area like this, Big Basin and Pt. Reyes may help me achieve the serenity and clarity I need.

[LeftyMom]

2. Big Basin is pretty neat

http://www.bigbasin.org/

[Dangerously Amused]

4. Sorry.

I can probably hook you up with a fat farm that is LOW cal, but to get a NoCal trip, geez... you'll probably have to go to a Tibetan monastery or something.

Have you considered LoCarb? They're everywhere!

[maveric]

7. Ooooooooookay! Thanks anyway!

:silly:

[BikeWriter]

5. Watch out for mountain lions!

[maveric]

6. I'm familiar with mountain lions.

Camping in San Diego county, you tend to meet up with them. I've been schooled in how to deal with them.

[BikeWriter]

40. I suppose they're like sharks, you know they are out there...

and lightning probably zaps more people.

[Duer 157099]

10. What do you like to do when camping?

Also, tent or trailer/rv?

How long?

[maveric]

11. Tent. Hiking. Nature photography.

Biking (I'll rent a bike),too.

[Duer 157099]

14. Might consider area around Bodega Bay

If you want to camp on the beach, there's Doran (lots and lots of sites)

http://www.bodegabay.com/discover/camping.html

A little bit further north and inland a bit and you're at the Russian River -- never camped anywhere along there, but it's redwoods galore.

In fact, yeah, check out Russian River area -- that'd be my first recommendation, although like I said, I've never camped anywhere there...

[maveric]

16. Thats one the spots I have marked.

My brother raves about Bolinas. Tells me that there are still little Hippie/communes around there.

[Duer 157099]

19. Oh yeah, I drove through Bolinas on the way to Pt. Reyes once

There are so many incredible places along the California coast. Big Sur was mentioned, if you've never been there, that's a bit closer for you too.

North of the Golden Gate bridge -- it's hard to even narrow down the choices, they are all good.

If you've never been very far north, I'd again recommend the Russian River if it fits your driving range.

Where have/haven't you been in California?

[maveric]

20. I've never been north or east of San Francisco, in CA.

Last year I did the HWY 1 trip, going as far as SF, then heading back to SoCal.
I've heard that northern CA (north of SF), is beautiful.
I need some time away and solitude in a quiet and serene natural setting.

[Duer 157099]

21. If you've never been north of the Golden Gate Bridge

then, just on principle (and if you have time) I'm going to say you should definitely go there (north of the bridge, that is).

Now, how far north is another question.

(Wait, are you saying you've not been to the Sierra Nevadas, as in Yosemite and such? That might have to be another conversation)

The Russian River area is very bohemian (why, the main highway is called the Bohemian Highway!), I can't recommend it enough. I grew up in So. Cal., so the appeal of a river is strong because it's not something we get to experience very much. Kern river is pretty much the extent of my So. Cal river experience.

[maveric]

22. I'm open to go all the way to Oregon.

But I've been told that all that I seek can be found in CA, north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
I'm into nature photography.

[Duer 157099]

23. Nature photography shouldn't be a problem :-)

Although for some stunning views, Yosemite valley is an obvious.

Hard to go wrong anywhere in nor cal, imho (just don't stray east unless you intend to go all the way to the mountains)

[maveric]

24. I just changed my plan. Yosemite first then Big Basin, then...

Pt. Reys/Bolinas, then Russian River/Sonoma Coast State beach.
With gas prices rising, now is the time for me to get this road trip in before I really cant afford it.
I have to see Yosemite before I die.

[Duer 157099]

25. Whoa! You are going to have one fantastic time!

How long do you have for it?

[maveric]

26. As long as it takes. Have the time and a little $$$$ put away.

I'm in "between" everything and need time to figure out what to do with my 50 yr old, lonely, unemployed and cynical ass.
Now is probably a good time before gas is $4.00 + a gallon.

[Duer 157099]

27. This will do you well, I need to do something like this too

Those places are all outstanding, and combined together will be unforgettable.

I actually did a very similar trip several years ago -- started from so. cal, up the coast (camped along the way at Fort Hunter Ligget, then at Butano State park, then cut across to the Sierras to Yosemite and then back down the central valley (didn't make it north of the bridge on that trip).

Lucky you!

[maveric]

28. Ever take HWY 140 frrom Merced to Yosemite?

Is it a decent road? Safe?

[Duer 157099]

30. I can't recall specifically, although it's likely I've taken that road

But, it was many years ago (about 10) so things could have changed.

My guess is that it is ok.

[XemaSab]

32. Highway 140 is a decent and safe road

You might want to go 140 entering the park and 41 leaving the park. They're both windy (as in lots of back and forth) but well maintained, as it were.

Camping in and around the park can be a challenge. I would investigate camping both inside and outside the park, as well as road closures due to snow.

If you're not too fussy about showers, there are lots of little forest service campgrounds that I have stayed at south of the park near the 41. I would especially recommend Nelder Grove, which is a small FS campground near the town of Oakhurst.

[Duer 157099]

35. I agree about the part where you should do lots of research on the

Yosemite area before heading out -- it can be difficult to just "stop" and find a place.

I once stayed at a cabin in Wawona, just outside the park, oh what a fine trip that was -- it was right on the river, too (I guess I really do have a thing about rivers).

I'll bet it is stunningly beautiful in that area right around now, after all the rain we've recently gotten.

[maveric]

38. I'll be tent camping. Showers would be nice.

I'm kind of picky about my personal hygene. Doing the research right now.

[XemaSab]

29. I camped at Doran Beach a few weeks ago

There are indoor bathrooms and showers, but bring your own soap! I learned this the hard way! I am series!

[Duer 157099]

31. During all that rain? yikes

I bet it was cold?

[XemaSab]

33. My rain fly blew off in the middle of the night

So yes.

[brook]

12. If you go up Highway 1...

Fernwood is a neat place. I stop there for coffee when I'm enroute to Carmel. Take 1 out of San Luis Obispo on up to Big Sur.

To get a 'bigger' picture, here's

No matter where you decide to go, it's all beautiful!

[livetohike]

13. I second Fernwood - great choice!

:thumbsup:

[maveric]

15. I've camped along HWY1, south of San Francisco. Big Sur is beautiful!

Looking for scenic spots north of "The City".
I may be putting together scenic calenders to sell to the tourists. I hear that Pt. Reyes has an abundance of such creatures.

[brook]

18. Calendars? or Tourists?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I'm not very familiar with the north coast- though I did spend a couple of weeks in Bodega Bay once which had some great scenery. We were doing retakes for scenes originally done in Oregon. (The Goonies).

[XemaSab]

34. You worked on that film?

Which scenes were shot in Bodega Bay?

[brook]

36. Yep.

Beach stuff - mostly the ending as I recall. I do remember we were there over SuperBowl. We had to work in the morning but got back to the hotel to find the producer had set up Big Screen Tvs and a helluva good party. Our props driver won a thousand bucks on the pool. </nostalgia> :)

[XemaSab]

37. I love that film.

I also love Bodega Bay.

So many stretches of the coast look kinda similar with the sea stacks that I never really put the two together.

But you put together a classic there!

A few years ago the movie theater in the college town I was living in decided to show it on the big screen, and it was pretty amazing to see people who had grown up with the film taking their kids to see it. </nostalgia>

[brook]

39. Sometimes

I think there's a direct (somewhat mysterious) correlation between how much a crew enjoys making a film and how much the audience enjoys it. We certainly had fun on that one.Glad you liked it!

[trof]

17. Woops. Thought this was a diet thread.

;-)