The Best Camping In California

The best time to camp in California comes down to the area in which you’re camping:

Coastal California Camping

Most of the California coast has a temperate climate, with particular areas prone to higher winds, more wind, or fog during the winter months. Thus, you can camp along the California coast year-round if you don’t mind a little moisture.

California High Country Camping

If you’re looking to go camping in the Sierra Nevada, visit Lassen Volcanic National Park, or Mount Shasta, snow buries the high country during the winter. Wait until the summer to go camping here. Although high elevation, the Sierras still get very hot during the summer months, and shade coverage might have changed with new burn areas. Be prepared with extra water (one liter of water per person, per hour) and sun protection, and avoid going out in hot temperatures.

Southern California Camping

Spring is the best time to camp in Southern California. The desert blooms, temperatures are comfortable, and there are fewer bans on campfires. Additionally, the fall is another excellent time to camp in Southern California as temperatures are beginning to cool from the heat of the summer.

Some of the best places to visit California are:

• Yosemite National Park
• Disneyland
• Big Sur
• Mammoth Lakes
• San Diego
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Palm Springs
• Lake Tahoe
• Redwood National and State Parks
• Sequoia National Park
• Crystal Cove State Park
• San Francisco
• Monterey Bay
• Napa Valley
• Death Valley National Park

There are nine National Parks in California:

Yosemite National Park

Located in California’s central Sierra Nevada, Yosemite’s granite peaks, sequoia groves, sky-high waterfalls, pristine lakes, and diverse ecosystems attract millions of visitors from across the globe each year. Within the park, the most popular attractions include Glacier Point, Half Dome, Tunnel View Point, Mariposa Grove, and Bridalveil Fall. Some of the most common outdoor activities in the park are hiking, rock climbing, wildlife viewing, and general sightseeing. So when should you visit Yosemite National Park? Its peak season is from April to October. However, if you’re looking for a place to go for winter activities such as snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, this high-elevation destination will be covered in lush, white snow.

Joshua Tree National Park

Located just a short drive from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park is perfect for those looking to experience the beauty of the desert. Positioned where the Mojave and Sonoran deserts collide, Joshua Tree National Park is home to various plants and animals such as the kangaroo rat, greater roadrunner, and desert tortoises. A popular destination for rock climbers and boulders, other activities within the park include hiking, wildlife viewing, birding, and stargazing. Due to the extreme heat in the summer, the best time to visit Joshua Tree National park is between October and May. Arrive at the park early as it gets busy by late morning.

Death Valley National Park

Along the border of California and Nevada is Death Valley National Park, the largest national park in the lower 48. The park continues to break records as the hottest, driest, and lowest national park. At 282 feet below sea level, Death Valley’s Badwater Basin is the second-lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and open to visitors to walk on. Other popular attractions within the park include Artists Drive, Telescope Peak, Dante’s View, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Zabriskie Point. What to do in Death Valley’s National Park? Hiking, nature photography, and wildflower viewing in the spring are the outdoor activities visitors partake in when in the national park. Because of its record-breaking heat during the summer months, guests should visit the park during the fall, winter, and spring.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

It’s here at Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park that you’ll find towering sequoia trees, including the largest tree in the world: the General Sherman Tree. Additionally, the tallest mountain in the United States’ lower 48, Mt. Whitney, calls Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park home. Top attractions within the park include:

• Visiting the Giant Forest
• Visiting the General Sherman Tree
• Driving through the Tunnel Log
• Hiking up to Moro Rock
• Taking the trail to Tokopah Falls
• Driving the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

The best time to visit Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park is spring, summer, and fall. However, a heads up– rain showers might mean snow in the higher elevation areas of the park, so be prepared and pack accordingly.

Redwood National and State Parks

Along the coast of Northern California, you’ll find the different state and national parks that make up the Redwood National and State Parks. These parks protect 45% of all remaining coast redwood old-growth forests. You’ll quickly understand the importance of conservation efforts when visiting, as seeing the park is an almost magical experience. The temperate rainforests of the area are unlike any other forests in the nation. Visitors can partake in a variety of outdoor activities within the park, including but not limited to hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, and enjoying scenic drives. Popular attractions within the park are Enderts Beach, Trillium Falls Trail, Howland Hill Road, and Tall Tree Grove. So what’s the best time to visit the Redwood National and State Parks? Because of its mild climate, you can go to the parks year-round! Sure, it gets a bit cooler in the winter months and warmer in the summer, but the area’s weather is usually pretty consistent.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Also in Northern California is Lassen Volcanic National Park. Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world, last erupted in 1917! Although loaded with various hydrothermal sites, volcanoes, and mud pots, the climate is relatively cool even in the early summer months due to its northern location and high elevation. Popular areas within the park are Little Hot Springs Valley, Devils Kitchen, Boiling Springs Lake, Bumpass Hell, and Sulphur Works. What is the best time of year to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park? The time window is quite short, with roads throughout the park opening in July and snow beginning to fall in October.

Channel Islands National Park

Commonly referred to as the Galapagos of North America, Channel Islands National Park is five of the eight Channel Islands off Southern California’s Pacific coast. If you’re looking for a rugged and remote destination, this national park is the perfect getaway. Because of its remoteness, Channel Islands National Park is a wildlife haven. In addition to wildlife viewing, other outdoor activities within the park include fishing charters, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, camping, and kayaking. How do you get to Channel Islands National Park? Island Packers Cruises out of Ventura operate during the spring, summer, and fall months. When to visit Channel Islands National Park? Due to the high winds in the winter, visitors should come during the spring, summer, and fall months.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Located in the Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County and just north of San Francisco, the National Park Service maintains Point Reyes National Seashore and is considered one of the nine national parks within the state of California. Top things to do in the national seashore are soaking in the vistas of the Tomales Point Trail, visiting the Point Reyes Lighthouse, hiking to Alamere Falls, walking Drakes Beach, and photographing the cypress tree tunnel. In addition, Point Reyes National Seashore is a fantastic place for wildlife viewing. You’ll see the tule elk, a wide variety of bird species, gray whales in the winter and spring, northern elephant seals, harbor seals, and more. When is the best time to visit Point Reyes National Seashore? The summer provides the best weather for visiting. However, know that the park is most crowded during this time. The Bay Area’s heavy fog occurs during July, August, and September, and the winter is considered the rainy season. Thus, the spring months would be the best time to visit Point Reyes National Seashore: March, April, and May.

Pinnacles National Park: California’s newest and smallest park of nine, Pinnacles National Park, is located in Central California. Eroded leftovers of an extinct volcano, the famed pinnacles of the park are domed rock formations that visitors can summit to overlook the surrounding valleys. Note that the high peak area splits into east and west regions. Alternatively, park-goers can also explore talus caves, narrow canyons filled with boulders, such as the Balconies Caves and Bear Gulch Cave. Pinnacles National Park is where you can see a California Condor, the largest bird in North America. Other activities you can do in Pinnacles National Park include viewing wildflowers, swimming in the park’s public pool (yes, you read that right), and hiring a guide to rock climb the pinnacles. When is the best time to visit Pinnacles National Park? During the summer months, the temperatures soar dangerously. Visitors should go during the spring, winter, and fall months and consume at least one liter of water per hour while outside.

The first state park in the U.S. was actually established in California in the mid-19th century. Some of the state parks in California could likely be national parks in other states, but with nine already here, you end up with a rich state park system instead! There are 280 parks total, so it’d take you a while if you ever decided to try visiting them all—but it’s highly likely worth the try.

Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park

This one is actually a cooperation between California and the National Park Service. Redwood State and National Parks are in the same area and jointly managed. If you’re already at Redwood National Park, hop on over to the state park side and see what it has to offer!

Malibu Creek State Park

Who says Los Angeles is a concrete jungle? The nearby Santa Monica Mountains hold one of the more popular state parks in California. It’s a popular day hiking area for locals and visitors alike, but it definitely is worth at least an overnight.

Emerald Bay State Park

You’ll have picturesque views of the water and the mountains at Emerald Bay. Located near beautiful Lake Tahoe, few places give you a greater swatch of camping in California. Whether you want to head to the waterfront or venture into the mountains, you’ll find yourself among some of the most beautiful features in the state.

What Are the Top Attractions in California?

California is such a large, diverse state that there’s something for everyone. While often associated with Hollywood and the Southern California lifestyle, the top attractions in California are quite varied.

Hollywood

Just because it’s not the only thing doesn’t mean it isn’t up there! The Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood sign hike, and the TCL Chinese Theater are all must-sees if you’re traveling through Hollywood, California.

Disneyland

Sure, there’s no Epcot ball, but this West Coast Disney stop is nothing to ignore. This top attraction in California is sure to be a hit if you’re traveling with kids. While tickets aren’t cheap, you can save some money with a single park ticket or by bundling a hotel stay with your park ticket.

Golden Gate Bridge

While the famous Golden Gate Bridge might bring you north, unless you’re a real architecture enthusiast, you likely aren’t going to San Francisco just to see the bridge and leave. Luckily, San Francisco is steeped in California history and is at the forefront of the state’s culture and attractions.

If you’re already there, make sure to add Alcatraz, Lombard Street, and Fisherman’s Wharf to your itinerary.

Griffith Park Observatory

This is easily one of the most recognizable sights in all of Los Angeles. While featured in countless movies, it’s much more than just its exterior. Inside, you’ll have an opportunity to learn about the world around you. Once you’ve checked out the interactive exhibits, the park itself is a great place to walk around or have a picnic lunch.

Campfire restrictions change depending on the threat of wildfires in the area. Fire restrictions fall within the area’s jurisdiction, such as the Bureau of Land Management, National Forest, National Park Service, or county ordinances. If you’re camping during the summer or fall, there will most likely be a ban on any open flame as this is when California is most vulnerable to wildlife. Note that this might include a ban on barbecues and charcoal grills. Before your camping trip, check in with the campground’s rangers or management to whether campfires are allowed at campsites.

Black bears are the only wild bears in California, yet they come in a range of colors, from lighter browns to black. This might confuse people, leading them falsely to identify a black bear as a grizzly. Bears in California are more common in the state’s northern, eastern, and western areas, not the south. Black bears tend to only be dangerous in defensive situations where a person is too close, a circumstance easy to avoid. According to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, these tips on bear safety should prevent any dangerous situations with bears in California:

When camping and hiking:

• Use bear-proof containers for food and scented personal items like toiletries.
• Never store food in your tent, and clean up immediately after preparing meals.
• Make noise while you’re hiking, so bears know you’re in the area.

When confronted by a bear:

• Don’t approach it.
• Make sure it has plenty of room to get past you.
• Don’t run. This may make the bear chase you.
• If you can’t avoid an encounter, stand up and raise your arms so you look bigger.
• Yell and use anything at hand to make noise.
• Look the bear in the eye, but don’t stare.

When attacked by a bear: Your best bet when a bear threatens is to fight back. Throw rocks and hit the bear with whatever you can find, like branches or, if you’re at your campsite or near your car, whatever heavy gear is nearby.