Camping in California gives up an endless number of great things to do and see in one of the biggest, most diverse regions in the world. With over 110 State Parks, 17 National Forests, and dozens of campgrounds scattered across the state, it’s tough to know just where to begin. The great thing about camping in California is that you can do it practically anywhere. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Camping is a popular pastime for people in California, perhaps because it is accessible year round. Of course, that also means that the camping conditions in the state vary depending on the season. Summer is usually the best time for camping in California thanks to warmer temperatures and less crowded campgrounds, but winter is a great time to travel to the hills. In addition to more popular campgrounds, there are also more remote campsites scattered throughout the vastness of California’s central mountains and valleys.
The first and best tip for California camping is to look for a tent that has all of the amenities you’d find at a full-fledged hotel. You’ll want to pack a tent with all of the bells and whistles: hot tubs, kitchens with grill space, fireplace, and even showers and toilets. There are plenty of small, discount tents available for camping in California that don’t have these amenities. However, you should only expect these cheap tents to have the barest amount of interior storage and amenities, as most tent camping comes with everything you’ll need.
If you’re looking for more options and variety in your tent camping in California, then you might consider looking into RV campsites in the area. There are many campgrounds in and around California’s Central Valley that are full of RV parks with full or partial hookups for your water and electricity. A number of these parks offer camping amenities and are quite popular among people who like to camp in their own vehicles. However, you will pay a little bit more at RV camping campsites than at regular tent camping grounds, but you’ll get more space and the amenities that you want.
If you can’t afford to pay much for camping in California, then your next option is to look into full or partial campground reservation systems. Full campground reservation systems allow you to make a reservation at one of their facilities in advance, without ever standing in line at a desk. Once you’ve paid your fee at the campsite, you can then use the reservation system to reserve your spot at the campsite itself. You can make your reservations at a number of different campsites in California, including popular campgrounds such as Yosemite National Park and the Santa Cruz National Forest. In addition to making your reservation through a full campground booking system, some systems also allow you to make your reservation online without having to go through the trouble or hassle of making numerous phone calls or writing down numbers.
If you’d rather save money while camping in California, then a good alternative would be to make your reservation at a beach campground instead of at a regular hotel or motel. Many beach campgrounds are operated on a nightly basis, and they have facilities such as bathrooms and showering areas, so there’s no need to worry about taking showers at night. In addition, because most beaches in California have fairly small parking lots, it’s easy to find a beach campground that is very close to your desired location. Although you may pay a little bit more per night at a beach campground, if you’re going to be in town for a few days, you should really consider it!