california camping sites?

84yoda · 04-11-2008, 12:07 PM

hey all, im located in concord ca (near san francisco,) and im looking for a good place to go camping that isnt more than a few hours away. anyone have any ideas or resources to find a spot?

thanks a lot
eric

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

norcalsvx · 04-11-2008, 12:13 PM

lots of places out near tahoe

4Crawler · 04-11-2008, 08:35 PM

You can check out the California State Parks site:
- http://www.parks.ca.gov/

stormin94 · 04-12-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84yoda

hey all, im located in concord ca (near san francisco,) and im looking for a good place to go camping that isnt more than a few hours away. anyone have any ideas or resources to find a spot?

thanks a lot
eric

Ok, so what are you looking for? Back woods, developed, organized?

If you want something with decent facilitys, but really nice scenery, and still allows for the FULL camping experience, Clear Lake State Park is really nice. Probably one of the nicest state parks in this part of California. I'm obviously going to be a little bias towards it, since I live literally 5 minutes away. They have a boat launch, 4 camping areas within the park, which is about 1600 acres, I believe. And you can camp right on the lake, too. It's about 2.5 hours from San Francisco, but it's only about 1.5 hours from Vallejo(Highway 29 North).

Or if you want something more back woods, there is always the Mendocino National Forest, which is about 20 minutes further than Clear Lake State Park. They have many camping areas up there, and close to 400,000 acres. They have mountain camping, with vault toilets, from about 4,200 feet elevation to over 5,000 feet. Or, they have creek side camping at about 1,300 feet. Also, there is good OHV access, and some decent 4X4 up there, but it is also very quiet for camping, esp up the mountain.

These are some of the ones that I know the most about up here, but there are other choices. Let me know if you need to know anything else about these places.

2000t4rAKS · 04-24-2008, 08:58 AM

Whenever the weather gets warmer, I am going out to Clear Lake National Park.

**UKMyers** · 04-24-2008, 09:33 AM

Lots of sweet spots around Santa Cruz too.

2000t4rAKS · 04-24-2008, 10:00 AM

Yes, Santa Cruz does have some great spots. I think the weather is Santa Cruz is milder, IMO. In terms of driving, it think clear lake is a little closer since I am in the Sacramento area.

jjrgr21 · 04-24-2008, 10:09 AM

lassen volcanic NP, yosemite, tahoe, lots of good places around tahoe

stormin94 · 04-24-2008, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000t4rAKS

Whenever the weather gets warmer, I am going out to Clear Lake National Park.

This weekend is supposed to be about 85*. And Clear Lake State Park, I think that's what you are referring to, but I live about 5 minutes from there, and I commute to Sacramento on a weekly basis. Total time for the trip is just over two hours, and about 110 miles.

2000t4rAKS · 04-25-2008, 07:24 AM

Two hours, that's not too bad, I can make it out to the Tahoe area about the same time. I have never been to Clear Lake State Park but I hear its nice. I hear it is suppose to be nice this weekend, too bad I am going to visit a couple of friends in the Bay.

stormin94 · 04-25-2008, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000t4rAKS

Two hours, that's not too bad, I can make it out to the Tahoe area about the same time. I have never been to Clear Lake State Park but I hear its nice. I hear it is suppose to be nice this weekend, too bad I am going to visit a couple of friends in the Bay.

Oh yeah, its gonna be a real nice weekend.

**Tofer** · 04-26-2008, 12:14 AM

when i was living in stockton i'd camp alot up in the Feather River canyon. i love it up there! there are also a bunch of places i know off hwy 4 heading to tahoe.

84yoda · 04-26-2008, 07:00 PM

thanks to everyone for the replies. very good suggestions. ive been to lassen and clear lake before and they were awesome. i ended up going to big basin in the santa cruz area. great hiking there. 13+ mile hike to see some falls. kicked our asses but it was worth it. we froze too

when it gets warmer, i would suggest big basin to any would be campers/hikers. camp sites are nice too. they have ones you are park your car at, and they are still a decent ways away from your neighbors, but the best sites are the walk in ones. maybe 100 yards at most to the furthest walk ins

toyotagogo · 04-26-2008, 07:30 PM

A lot of parks have group campsites, and that's what I am use to. Pt Reyes is a good place to go for back packing, Oakland Hills-Park and recreation dept, Kennedy Meadows above Sonora. You might check with your local Boy Scout Council, they might have a list of places, in fact, if you are in Concord, check out the Diablo boy Scout Council. I lived in Alameda for over 50 years.

ozziesironmanoffroad · 04-26-2008, 07:33 PM

any places anyone knows of near san diego besides the obvious ones... cuyumaca, jennings, morena, ocotillo, plaster, glamis, etc?

stormin94 · 04-26-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyotagogo

A lot of parks have group campsites, and that's what I am use to. Pt Reyes is a good place to go for back packing, Oakland Hills-Park and recreation dept, Kennedy Meadows above Sonora. You might check with your local Boy Scout Council, they might have a list of places, in fact, if you are in Concord, check out the Diablo boy Scout Council. I lived in Alameda for over 50 years.

Point Reyes... All I've heard about that is that there is a bunch of hiking, lots of fog, and a lighthouse. I've never been, but I'd like to go sometime. Is there a lot of people there in the summertime, or what? Also, is there camping a little ways away from the ocean, so I can aviod the fog. I used to live on the North Coast, so I'm not too fond of the fog.

2000t4rAKS · 04-30-2008, 12:27 PM

I am from San Francisco originally so Point Reyes is pretty close and in terms of the weather its great especially in the summer because it doesn't get too hot. The fog can be an issue though.

treknwil · 05-02-2008, 08:16 PM

There are some great camp site on Mt. Diablo. Can't get much closer than that.

04-11-2008, 12:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
norcalsvx Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alpine--GRASS valley, CA Posts: 2,132	lots of places out near tahoe __________________ 1994 toy 22re- http://www.yotatech.com/f86/nocalsvx-s-94-toy-104593/ 2006 Subaru Forester XT -some mods/awd 5spd 1994 Subaru SVX- hwy runner 84 RX7- drag car build

04-11-2008, 08:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,836	You can check out the California State Parks site: - http://www.parks.ca.gov/ __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club

04-24-2008, 08:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
2000t4rAKS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 292	Whenever the weather gets warmer, I am going out to Clear Lake National Park. __________________ 2000 4Runner Limited 4x4 Kenwood DNX7100 HU Alpine SPR-17S Component Speakers

04-24-2008, 10:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
2000t4rAKS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 292	Yes, Santa Cruz does have some great spots. I think the weather is Santa Cruz is milder, IMO. In terms of driving, it think clear lake is a little closer since I am in the Sacramento area. __________________ 2000 4Runner Limited 4x4 Kenwood DNX7100 HU Alpine SPR-17S Component Speakers

04-24-2008, 10:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
jjrgr21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,520	lassen volcanic NP, yosemite, tahoe, lots of good places around tahoe __________________ 2003 4WD TRD Tacoma 1986 4Runner

04-25-2008, 07:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
2000t4rAKS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 292	Two hours, that's not too bad, I can make it out to the Tahoe area about the same time. I have never been to Clear Lake State Park but I hear its nice. I hear it is suppose to be nice this weekend, too bad I am going to visit a couple of friends in the Bay. __________________ 2000 4Runner Limited 4x4 Kenwood DNX7100 HU Alpine SPR-17S Component Speakers

04-26-2008, 12:14 AM	#12 (permalink)
Tofer Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tacoma WA. Posts: 6,912	when i was living in stockton i'd camp alot up in the Feather River canyon. i love it up there! there are also a bunch of places i know off hwy 4 heading to tahoe. __________________ 94 4runenr: all the good stuff....... 89 4runner: 3.0, Auto, 5.29 lockright f/r. 31x10.5 wildcountry ATs. 81 2wd pickup: 22R \| 5-sp \| long bed \|Civic SI seats \| LockRight \| Hella 500s pacific-crawlers.com For all your Trail-gear and HID lighting Solutions Needs check out yotaworks.com Online store coming soon :)

04-26-2008, 07:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
84yoda Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: concord, ca Posts: 5	thanks to everyone for the replies. very good suggestions. ive been to lassen and clear lake before and they were awesome. i ended up going to big basin in the santa cruz area. great hiking there. 13+ mile hike to see some falls. kicked our asses but it was worth it. we froze too when it gets warmer, i would suggest big basin to any would be campers/hikers. camp sites are nice too. they have ones you are park your car at, and they are still a decent ways away from your neighbors, but the best sites are the walk in ones. maybe 100 yards at most to the furthest walk ins

04-26-2008, 07:30 PM	#14 (permalink)
toyotagogo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Franklin, Tennessee Posts: 18	A lot of parks have group campsites, and that's what I am use to. Pt Reyes is a good place to go for back packing, Oakland Hills-Park and recreation dept, Kennedy Meadows above Sonora. You might check with your local Boy Scout Council, they might have a list of places, in fact, if you are in Concord, check out the Diablo boy Scout Council. I lived in Alameda for over 50 years.

04-26-2008, 07:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
ozziesironmanoffroad Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Spring Valley, CA Posts: 5,678	any places anyone knows of near san diego besides the obvious ones... cuyumaca, jennings, morena, ocotillo, plaster, glamis, etc? __________________ The 22r series engines are made from the fires of hell, and will fight tooth and nail to not be sent back. 1988 Toyota P/U 4x4 22re, 1200 miles on the rebuild engine builder .268 cam pioneer CD deck 31x10.50x15 BFG A/T BAJA 100W lights on prerunner bumper KC Daylighters 100W rancho rs5000 MUD IS A VALID PAINT JOB! If not living life to the fullest, why live it? my trucks official buildup thread

04-30-2008, 12:27 PM	#17 (permalink)
2000t4rAKS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 292	I am from San Francisco originally so Point Reyes is pretty close and in terms of the weather its great especially in the summer because it doesn't get too hot. The fog can be an issue though. __________________ 2000 4Runner Limited 4x4 Kenwood DNX7100 HU Alpine SPR-17S Component Speakers

05-02-2008, 08:16 PM	#18 (permalink)
treknwil Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Vacaville Posts: 259	There are some great camp site on Mt. Diablo. Can't get much closer than that. __________________ 2007 FJ Cruiser 4x4 285/70-17 MTR's, Home made level lift, Home made Rock sliders, home made lower control arm skides, Home made Highlift jack clamps, AP LCA's, 4 KC's on roof rack, 1987 4runner SR5 22RE 5spd. Budbuilt skids and transf. case cross member, Flowmaster, 32x11.50/15's BFG MT's, Amer. racing rims, home made 1" body lift, winch & brush Guard, Downey truss, 26mm t-bars, home made 1" BJ spacers, Home Rocksliders, home rear quater sliders, Aussie locker in rear 4.30 gears

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
List camping gear that makes your camping/expedition trips better	Corey	Camping, Expedition, & Overlanding Gear	127	09-09-2009 12:48 PM
Help Me find these Sites!!!	AKennedy87	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	5	03-16-2005 08:03 PM
Celica sites	ianshoots	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	2	09-16-2004 05:47 AM