August 12, 2017

California is the third largest state in the country with regard to its area and the most populated state. Its capital is Sacramento. California shares its international boundary with the Mexican city of Baja California in the south, Oregon in the north, Arizona to the south east and Nevada to the east and north east. The area is well known for its diverse geographical features and wildlife; it includes the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Pacific coast and redwood-Douglas fir forest and Mojave Desert. The state expands over a large area, hence the climatic conditions might vary, however the warm Mediterranean climate is the most prevalent. It also hosts a number of campgrounds which are suitable for all kinds of campers. Following are the details of the top 15 campgrounds in California.

  1. Maple Creek Ranch

The area expands up to 500 acres. It offers visitors a primitive campground is surrounded by forests that are home to squirrels, deer, turkeys, etc. among other forest animals. Located near Bodega Bay the weather in the area is cozy. It offers visitors convenient facilities and a number of activities that help in making the camping trip an enjoyable one. Visitors can drive to the campground and should book their campsites in advance. It includes two campsites for its visitors.

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Wildlife watching

·       Biking

·       Fishing

·       Swimming

·       Hiking

 ·       RV accommodation

·       RV sanitation

·       Toilets

·       Showers

·       Picnic areas

Location: 165 Maple Creek Ranch Rd, Chico, CA 95973,+1 530-343-8479

  1. Pianetta Ranch and Winery Camp

This ranch measures 95 acres out of which 65 acres are planted wines. The campground is located to the north of the Paso Robles wine region. It offers 6 campsites with beautiful views of the Indian Valley to the north and south of the area. It is ideal for people who want to spend some quality time relaxing. An added attraction is the winery and the wine tasting rooms. It is a private vineyard and winery that provides winery tours, barrel tasting, cheese pairings, champagne breakfasts, winemakers dinners, etc.  Visitors coming in large groups and those who are accompanied by children must mention all the details while booking.

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Biking

·       Wildlife watching

·       Hiking

·       Wine tasting

·       Tour of the winery

 ·       Toilets

·       Showers

·       Picnic tables

·       Wine tasting rooms

·       Pet friendly

·       Fire pits

Location: 829 13th St, Paso Robles, CA 93446, +1 805-226-4005

  1. Irish Creek Ranch

This campground covers an area of less than 60 acres. The construction in the area began in the year 1870 and the ‘Hurley-Schlein’ family has held proprietorship over the area since 1919. The area was mined during the Gold Rush. Presently, it caters as a cattle grazing area and crops such as peaches, apples and olives are cultivated. It is very close to Coloma where gold was discovered as well as the historic Georgetown which adds to the appeal of this campground. 

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Biking

·       Hiking

·       White water paddling

·       Wildlife watching

 ·       Horse trails

·       Wine tasting rooms

·       Toilets

·       Picnic tables

Location: 5900 Garden Valley Road Garden Valley, CA 95633, (530) 333-1177

  1. Songdog Ranch

This campground is located in the Cuyama valley, central California. Its location is the Cuyama Badlands where the counties of Santa Barbara, Kent, Ventura and San Luis Obispo meet. This place is ideal for visitors who want a quiet, personal and private experience. It includes four campsites; visitors can reserve their camping spots by booking up to 12 months in advance. It also provides open air sites for motorcycle and car camping. Visitors can reach the campground by driving to the location.

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Hiking

·       Biking

·       Wildlife watching

·       Horseback riding

·       Offroading

 ·       OHV Trails

·       Picnic areas

·       Accessible drinking water

·       Pet friendly environment

·       Clean toilets

 Location:  6323 CA-140, Midpines, CA 95345, +1 209-966-2201 

  1. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

This large campground includes a total of 172 campgrounds. It offers a stunning coastal view, an 80 foot waterfall, flowing from a granite cliff into the ocean and the surrounding sycamore and redwood trees, which render sufficient shade to the visitors. Due to its size the campground expands over varied landforms. Visitors can choose their camping spots as per their requirements. The campground is a pet friendly environment and visitors can drive to the location.

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Biking

·       Hiking

·       Fishing

·       Paddling

·       Swimming

·       Wildlife watching

 ·       RV accommodation

·       RV sanitation

·       Picnic area

·       Toilets

·       Showers

·       Fire pits

Location: CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920, +1 831-667-2315

  1. Angeles Crest Creamery

At an elevation of 5,217 ft Angeles Crest Creamery is a campground that spreads across an area of 70 acres. It is a private goat diary located within the Angeles National Forest. Visitors may either choose to drive to the location or go hiking. It includes a total of 4 campsites. It is suitable for family visits and children can also enjoy as it offers an opportunity for visitors to help in their chores related to the goats. They also provide milking lessons to visitors who may be interested. They also cater meals which are incorporated with native plants in pickles and salads, and specialties like pinon pine syrup for the campers.

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Hiking

·       Snow sports

·       Wildlife watching

·       Biking

·       Picnicking

·       Horseback riding

·       Milking lessons

·       Swimming

 ·       Tent accommodation

·       Visitor centers

·       Toilets

·       Picnic area

·       Meals can be ordered

Location: 19830 Big Pines Hwy, Valyermo, CA 93563

  1. Jug Handle Creek Farm

Located amidst meadows and forest, Jug Handle Creek Farm is just five minutes away from the Jug Handle Beach. Visitors can reach the campground by passing through the pygmy forest also known as the Jug Handle Ecological Staircase trail. It has 7 campsites that are suited for various kinds of campers and they have separate sites for those visitors who travel in RVs and campervans. The area also includes a non-profit nature and education centre. Visitors can also participate in yoga sessions that induce feelings of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Therapeutic or Thai yoga massage

·       Biking

·       Hiking

·       Swimming

·       Paddling

·       Horseback riding

·       Fishing

·       Wildlife watching

 ·       Fire pits

·       Picnic area

·       Pet friendly environment

·       RV hookup

·       Private yoga sessions

 

Location: 15501 CA-1, Caspar, CA 95420, +1 707-964-4630

  1. Mare Island Preserve

The Mare Island Preserve is suited for all kinds of visitors like photographers, nature lovers and those interested in history. It is located to the south of Mare Island and previously served as the first Naval Ammunition Depot for the U.S Navy in 1857. It was open to the public in the year 2008. The area is being maintained to as a historic and nature focused park. The 215 acre area also includes a naval cemetery. The campground offers visitors to choose from the various yurts present there to camp. The Victorian houses, spectacular view of the bay area and the presence of wildlife makes it an ideal campground.

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Biking

·       Hiking

·       Wildlife watching

 ·       Trails

·       Pets are allowed

·       Picnic area

Location: 1595 Railroad Ave, Vallejo, CA 94592 +1 707-249-9633

  1. Desert Mountain Majesty

This area is located high up on the hills of the Bartlett Mountain Range. At a height of 3093 ft, it offers an overall view of the surrounding area. The desert provides a scenic view of a different side of nature which is accompanied by exotic wildlife that is suited for desert life. The area is just a few minutes away from the Joshua Tree National Park. It has a total of 4 campsites and enough shade to accommodate large number of visitors. Diverse geographical features allow visitors to enjoy a number of adventurous and exciting recreational activities.

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Biking

·       Climbing

·       Hiking

·       Wildlife watching

·       Picnicking

 

 ·       Pet friendly environment

·       Fire pits

·       Toilets

·       Showers

·       Thrash management

·       Picnic area

Location: Sky Camp, Joshua Tree National Park, CA.

  1. Crystal Cove State Park, Moro Campground

This campground is listed as one of those that kids enjoy visiting. It is located near the beach, hence making the area desirable for water sports enthusiast. Children also get to observe diverse aquatic creatures. The area includes trails and an underwater park to cater to all sorts of visitors. The entire campground is terraced which gives the viewer a spectacular view of the beautiful surrounding area as well as the beach.

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Biking

·       Fishing

·       Horseback riding

·       Swimming

·       Wildlife watching

·       Surfing

·       Paddling

·       Boating

·       Hiking

 ·       Showers

·       Toilets

·       Picnic area

·       RV sanitation

·       Underwater park

·        Tent and RV accommodation

·       Fire pits

·       Pet friendly

Location: 8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, +1 800-444-7275

  1. Upper Pine Campground, Yosemite National

    Park

This is a large campground, it includes 238 campsites and is the most popular in the Yosemite valley. It overlooks some of the most iconic landmarks in the adjoining area at an elevation of 3996 ft. It is centrally located and very close to the Yosemite National Park. The famous granite formation ‘Half Dome’ is another attraction along with the glaciers, numerous waterfalls and the serenity of the High Sierra. It gives visitors a chance to enjoy a range of recreational activities. Due to its popularity the campground is usually crowded; hence, it is advisable that visitors should reserve their camping spots in advance.

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Biking

·       Hiking

·       Fishing

·       White water paddling

·       Swimming

·       Wildlife watching

·       Horseback riding

·       Climbing

·       Paddling

·       Snow sports

 ·       Toilets

·       RV sanitation

·       Picnic area

·       Fire pits

·       Pet friendly environment

 

 Location: 9024 Southside Dr, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389, +1 209-372-8502

  1. Bullfrog pond campground, Austin Creek State Recreational Area

Situated on rolling hills, this campground is on an elevation of 1247 ft. The hills are filled with oak trees and redwoods surround the pond. This campground is in the Austin creek state recreational area. It includes view of sunset from Vista Point as well as when visitors climb onto the rolling ridge line out of the canyon. It has a total of 23 campsites that include 3 back country sites.

 

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Biking

·       Hiking

·       Horseback riding

·       Wildlife watching

 ·       Picnic table

·       Toilets

·       Fire pits

·       Pet friendly

Location: 17000 Armstrong Woods Rd, Guerneville, CA 95446,+1 707-869-9177

  1. Yuba Canyon Vistas, Whispering Pine Trails

This is a relatively isolated campsite with tall pine trees growing on the hills around the clearing. It is located between the New Bullards Bar Reservoir and the Yuba River, hence water is easily accessible. It is in close proximity to the forest which allows visitors to observe many species of animals including deer and bears. People looking for adventure can also go for hiking trips in the deeper woods.

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Biking

·       Paddling

·       Hiking

·       Swimming

·       Wildlife watching

 ·       Toilets

·       Water is easily accessible

 

 

Location:

  1. Mendocino campground

This campground has been open to public for 35 years. In the early 1800s the area provided food for the logging industry spread across Fort Bragg and Mendocino. At that time Chinese immigrants had settled in the area. The climate is supposed to be very cold at night. They provide convenient facilities for their visitors.

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Fishing

·       Biking

·       Hiking

·       Horseback riding

·       Climbing

·       Paddling

·       Wildlife watching

 ·       Clean showers

·       Bathrooms and restrooms with charging points

·       Trails

·       Breakfast served at the tent

Location: Fort Bragg, CA 95437, +1 707-459-6458

  1. Camp Nylen group Camp

This campground is located only 17 miles away from Joshua Tree National Park. It is a private base camp spread across an area of 10 acre. The area is surrounded by BLM land which is undeveloped and private, it includes a cowboy bar and beautiful rock formations that add to the charm of the area. Moreover the famous ‘Pappy and Harriet’s’ cowboy bar and BBQ restaurant is only 8 miles away. Lastly, the natural flora and fauna of the area makes it appealing to visitors.

Best time to visit:

Activities Facilities
·       Biking

·       Climbing

·       Hiking

·       Wildlife watching

 ·       Toilets

·       Picnic tables

·       Bar and restaurant

·       Fire pits

·       Pet friendly environment

Location: Pioneer town, CA 92268, USA