Knowledge on Camping in SF, NorCal or EastBay? (Merced, Pleasanton: how much, live)

[Momma_s]

We've lived here for almost a year now (YAY! WE LOVE IT!), and are looking to do our first camping trip.

I've been looking on Campgrounds and Camping Reservations - ReserveAmerica and yelp, but I still have some questions... I understand that there is now a camping forum, but it seems very general, so here I am.

We're looking for car tent camping with a 7yo and 18mo, and no more that 2.5 hours from Pleasanton. Also looking for some seclusion (ie not *right* next to our neighbors), and not totally surrounded by RV's. We also don't need a ton of activities to do (nature is plenty entertaining to us ).

My questions:
Where do you recommend?

Is it *really* necessary to reserve a campsite? I'm used to the Blue Ridge Mountains where you drive up & pick a spot...

We're going the 1st week of August. Does the weather only get hotter as we go east of Pleasanton?

Thanks!

[bellalunatic]

If you want cooler weather for camping as opposed to hotter than hades, I'd recommend aiming for the coast.
Sonoma and Mendocino counties are your better weather choices within 2.5 hours of Pleasanton.

Reservations are pretty important since this area is loaded with outdoorsy type people...

Here's some links to get started.
We haven't camped much yet, except for a few forays at the KOA's in Petaluma and Cloverdale which is probably a bit too close for comfort camping that doesn't sound like what you're looking for.

Camping Introduction - Regional Parks - County of Sonoma, California

Sonoma Coast Camping

Mendocino State Park and Camping Directory - Beaches, Reserves, State Parks, Forests

Mendocino County California Campgrounds

[Tallysmom]

We absolutely do not camp, so I can't help you there, but every year on the news they say camps sites are booked up months in advance -- this year even more so as people vacation on the cheap....

So I'd say reservations are a must...

[Cassino]

Even though I'm from this area, I haven't camped much here. I have camped at Bodega Bay several times and really enjoyed it.

[WBClark]

Tahoe is about 3.5 hours away and may very well have the best hiking in CA. I'd personally recommend the south shore of the Rim Trail.

[E14]

big sur

[zugor]

I knew I kept my copy of California Camping by Tom Steinstra for a reason.
Get a copy if you figure on doing much camping.

In the Sierra's -

Briceburg, outside of Yosemite on the Merced River. There are actually 3 developed campgrounds along a 4.5 mile stretch of the river.

Mapquest puts it at 2 hrs, 37 min. from Pleasanton

Jerseydale, also outside Yosemite. Off the beaten path with nothing to do there but you can drive down to Briceburg and enjoy the river for the day.
It's between Darrah and Jerseydale on the right side of the road across from a fire station.

Mapquest puts it at 2 hrs, 42 minutes

On the north coast

Stillwater Regional Park - near Fort Ross

On the PCH about 4 miles north of Fort Ross, on the right hand side of the highway.

Mapquest puts it at 2 hrs, 37 min.

A little further north is

Salt Point State Park

I look through the book and post some of my other favorites.

All these places have piped water, picnic tables and fire rings.

[PeixeGato]

Not to hijack the post, but since I have the campers right here, I figured I'd ask this question. Also, my question will probably be very helpful to the OP since they are new to camping in CA.

My question is: can people comment on dealing with protecting your site from bears? I know that the sites provide you with bear-proof containers, but how much stuff can you put in them and what do you do if you get to the site and not all of your food fits? Has anyone had a bear enter their campsite while they were there? If so, what did you do? How do you handle storing food that needs to be kept refrigerated since you cannot keep food in coolers and keep food/coolers in your car? Has anyone head a bear rummaging through their site or nosing around their tents at night and how did you handle that?

I've been camping back east and we did not have to deal with such a significant bear threat. I have read a lot of websites that stress the importance of not having any food out at any time that is more than arm's reach from you. And while I'm sure I can handle the need for extremely heightened awareness once I figure it all out, I worry about other campers who are not so careful.

Thanks for advice!

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by PeixeGato

Not to hijack the post, but since I have the campers right here, I figured I'd ask this question. Also, my question will probably be very helpful to the OP since they are new to camping in CA.

My question is: can people comment on dealing with protecting your site from bears? I know that the sites provide you with bear-proof containers, but how much stuff can you put in them and what do you do if you get to the site and not all of your food fits? Has anyone had a bear enter their campsite while they were there? If so, what did you do? How do you handle storing food that needs to be kept refrigerated since you cannot keep food in coolers and keep food/coolers in your car? Has anyone head a bear rummaging through their site or nosing around their tents at night and how did you handle that?

I've been camping back east and we did not have to deal with such a significant bear threat. I have read a lot of websites that stress the importance of not having any food out at any time that is more than arm's reach from you. And while I'm sure I can handle the need for extremely heightened awareness once I figure it all out, I worry about other campers who are not so careful.

Thanks for advice!

My family just got back from camping up in Tahoe..The bear lockers were pretty big at our campsite. We were able to fit our huge cooler, two boxes of our dishes/camping equipment, and three really big bags of other stuff. Plenty of storage for several days worth of food.

The bears were around a few campsites in the night and apparently knocked over the huge dumpsters (these were bear proof as well). I haven't ever heard of any bears attacking humans here so I wouldn't be too scared..(that being said, I still didn't sleep very good because I also was a little scared!)

Just put any food/lotions/perfume/anything that smells like food into those lockers and you'll be fine. Don't eat or bring any food into your tents. They're mostly just trying to get to the food and would prefer to avoid people.

[Stacy From Cali]

Originally Posted by PeixeGato

Not to hijack the post, but since I have the campers right here, I figured I'd ask this question. Also, my question will probably be very helpful to the OP since they are new to camping in CA.

My question is: can people comment on dealing with protecting your site from bears? I know that the sites provide you with bear-proof containers, but how much stuff can you put in them and what do you do if you get to the site and not all of your food fits? Has anyone had a bear enter their campsite while they were there? If so, what did you do? How do you handle storing food that needs to be kept refrigerated since you cannot keep food in coolers and keep food/coolers in your car? Has anyone head a bear rummaging through their site or nosing around their tents at night and how did you handle that?

I've been camping back east and we did not have to deal with such a significant bear threat. I have read a lot of websites that stress the importance of not having any food out at any time that is more than arm's reach from you. And while I'm sure I can handle the need for extremely heightened awareness once I figure it all out, I worry about other campers who are not so careful.

Thanks for advice!

Make sure that you pee before it gets dark...because once the bears show up the bathroom becomes a no-go.

I personally hate camping with bears around, but if you are camping in the mountains there is really no way around it. They scare the &^%$ outta me...but though I have had them all through my tent site they have never tried to actually get into the tent or the car. I did have a mule deer attack my tent once though, but that was at Yellowstone.

To avoid bears, camp by the coast.