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Post by calidream on Sept 14, 2016 10:23:00 GMT -8
Hi everybody! My partner and I are looking for 1-2 nights camping next week pretty much as described in the post title (short walk from car, mountains or sea views, 1-4 hour drive from East Bay). It’s a little intimidating googling destinations like Point Reyes, Yosemite, Big Sur, etc. For one thing, neither of us know much about car camping in the area (where is best, where is not) and of course availability of campsites is a huge issue. Anyway, any guidance will be appreciated. The more detail, the better! Thank you.
Also, for future planning, I'm interested in meeting slow-walking older backpackers in the Bay Area.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Sept 15, 2016 7:18:05 GMT -8
Tuolumne Meadows campground will still be open next week, as may others along Tioga Rd. Head there for wonderful mountain views right out your car window. though, truth be told, I prefer Porcupine or Tamarack as they're smaller, quieter and cheaper (bring cash for the fee envelope and remember if you're 62 or better and have your Senior park pass the campground fee is discounted 50%, that paid the 10 bucks for mine on one weekends stay!). But they're further from the Meadows so driving is involved for getting morning coffee at The Grill or the dayhike trailheads sprinkled around. www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htmA bit cool, well flat out cold at night, up there this time of year, and that means no mosquitos! the park activity guide: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/yg16-8.pdftheyve been experimenting with an online status report for the campgrounds availability: www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campground-status.htmThe Senior Pass for federal lands: "Senior Pass: $10 Lifetime admission and discount pass for US citizens or permanent residents who are age 62 or older. (You can also get this pass by mail for an additional $10.)" Just pick it it up at the entrance. www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/fees.htm |
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,685 
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 15, 2016 7:45:38 GMT -8
For local camping in the Bay Area:
I suspect the best views are on Mt. Diablo. I've never camped there, but have biked past the campgrounds and they are nicely up on the side of the mountain.
Pantoll CG on Mt. Tam is nice, but you have to walk to the views--the campsites are in the woods. They are walk-in sites, but not a long walk at all.
All campgrounds at Pt. Reyes are backpacking camps, though Coast Camp and Sky Camp are only about 2 miles in, and each has a fireroad access--so it's possible to take a wagon instead of a backpack (or a stroller, as we did once when the boys were babies).
Samuel P. Taylor St. Park (near Pt. Reyes) is a nice car-camping site among the redwoods. No views, but a short drive to Pt. Reyes, and the trees make it quiet and pretty.
South of SF, there are campgrounds at Butano St. Park and Big Basin Redwoods. Both are inland, among the big trees, but Butano is a short drive to the coast (and to Pescadero, where the Archangeli Bakery sells their famous artichoke garlic bread; definitely worth a stop). Big Basin has some really nice hiking, various distances along creeks and through redwood groves, up to the 10-mile loop to the falls (probably dry right now, though, or nearly dry).
There is also a state park campground right on the coast in Half Moon Bay, but it's not much to my taste--wide open and full of RVs.
From the East Bay, Sequoia-Kings Canyon is also within your 4 hour limit, and that of course is another great park.
Hope all this gives you some great ideas.
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tarol
Trail Wise!
Redding, CA
Posts: 582
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Post by tarol on Sept 15, 2016 9:40:21 GMT -8
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Post by calidream on Sept 15, 2016 11:36:50 GMT -8
Thank you HSF, Rebecca, and Tarol. Wow, you posted exactly what I was hoping for and then some!
It's a beautiful day and I am grateful for your help and for life. California!
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