Camping – this is where you can find information about the parks and places we have camped. I will try to include as much info as I can including pricing, amenities, our favourite campsites and local places to shop, do laundry and eat.
South Lake Tahoe, California
Campground by the Lake (City Park) - We stayed there our first night ever in our new International. It is a short walk to our house so what better way to test the new trailer. This campground is right across the street from the lake. The street side campsites can see the lake but might be too noisy (street traffic) for those looking to "get away from it all". The campground is well maintained and the sites are situated among the big pine trees. For those not familiar with the pine trees in Tahoe, beware of the very large pine cones they produce. They can cause serious damage to a beautiful trailer or tow vehicle when falling from a forty foot tree. Our F-150 bears the scar (in the shape of a large dent) of a pine cone on the hood. There are plenty of nearby grocery stores, kayak and bicycle rentals, a boat launch, a bagel shop, natural foods restaurant and a laundromat across the street. There is even a knitting store across the way, in case you are out of yarn or need a shiny new pair of needles. Dump Station, ice, grills, wood, 10 pull thrus. Dry Camping only. To make reservations call:(530) 5412-6096
Zephyr Cove, Nevada (Nevada side of the south shore of Lake Tahoe)
Nevada State Beach Campground – This is a beautiful campground as close to the lake as you can get without being on a boat. It is a state run campground that is on the lake’s shore nestled in the forest. It is one of our favourites. Bring plenty of suncreen for those sunny days on the beach!
Northern California
Mendocinco Van Damme State Park - I think this is my favourite campground so far. Campng within the shelter of redwood trees and right across the street from the ocean. It is just outside of Mendocino proper so you can have the benefits of being close to little town of Mendocino and also be camping among the redwoods and in nature. The campsites are well shaded by the trees and the sites are nicely maintained. It is a state campground so bring quarters for the showers. If you love to kayak, abalone diving, beach combing and nature walks (ten miles of it!) this is the park for you.
Southern California
San Clemente State Beach Campground – This is a great campground for surfers, beachcombers, people who like to go nature walks and anyone who loves to camp on a scenic bluff. The sites are clean but not many have a paved pad. The views are amazing from the perimeter camp-sites and there is plenty of trails to wander on.
San Elijo SB State Beach – Located on the San Diego Coast, San Elijo State Beach offers swimming, surfing, showers and picnicking. The narrow, bluff-backed stretch of sand has a nearby reef popular with snorklers and divers. My review is here
San Onofre State Beach – While we did not stay at the beachside campground (it is closed during winter months) we did stay at the San Mateo campground which we loved. They have both hookups and non-hook-ups sites. We tried both and preferred the ones w/o. The dry camping sites are much bigger have alot more privacy and are in a very pretty area of the campground. The campground is very well maintained and clean. It is about a mile from the beach but it is off the beaten path so you truly feel sheltered from the world. Easy to get to but you will need your vehicle to get to any stores or restaurants for supplies. Great natur ehikes and bike trails are close by.
The Bay Area – San Francisco et al
San Francisco RV Resort – Pacifica, California – This is the only rv campground I could find (besides Candlestick RV Park which didn’t sound so cool) that had full hook-ups, was close to SF and on the water. We pulled in pretty late on a Friday night and didn’t really know what we were in for. We woke up Saturday morning to the sound of the ocean and the waves within view of our front door. The showers were nice and hot and the bathrooms well maintained. The staff is VERY helpful and nice. We loved it there. The sites are pretty close together (you won’t be able to open your awning if someone is camped next to you), but the ocean front spots make it all worth while. They have onsite laundry and a small general store (bare necessities plus some minimal RV supplies) at the front office. WIFI and a pool. Breakfast at Dallas cafe’ is a must. Oh, the turnovers at the Italian bakery down the street were great. We will definitely go again next time we go to SF. I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Seacliff State Beach Campground – Capitola, California – This campground is what beach camping is all about. The sand almost comes right up to your trailer and every spot has an ocean view. Just a few steps and quick climb over the wooden railing and your toes are sinking in the sand and you are on your way to finding a sand dollar and getting wet. We were lucky enough to get a few days there upon arriving, which I hear is rare. We were told that this spot generally books up 6-7 months in advance. The bathrooms are standard state campground bathrooms. Spare but adequate. They are exactly like every other state campground, bring your shower sandals because it can get sandy. The views are well worth the trip and they do have hookups at some of the sites. Make sure you bring layers in case the fog roles in. Try a nice hickory smoked chicken lunch at Pixies in Aptos. 4 out of 5 stars.
Tags: Uncategorized, airstreaming, trailer camping