Stienstra - Moon Northern California Camping

TOM STIENSTRA

The campgrounds are listed in a consistent, easy-to-read format to help you choose the ideal camping spot. If you already know the name of the specific campground you want to visit, or the name of the surrounding geological area or nearby feature (town, national or state park, forest, mountain, lake, river, etc.), look it up in the index and turn to the corresponding page. Here is a sample profile:

The icons in this book are designed to provide at-a-glance information on activities, facilities, and services available on-site or within walking distance of each campground.

	Hiking trails
	Biking trails
	Swimming
	Fishing
	Boating
	Canoeing and/or kayaking
	Winter sports
	Hot springs
	Pets permitted
	Playground
	Wheelchair accessible
	5 Percent Club
	RV sites
	Tent sites

Each campground profile employs a scenic rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the least scenic and 10 being the most scenic. A scenic rating measures only the overall beauty of the campground and environs; it does not take into account noise level, facilities, maintenance, recreation options, or campground management. The setting of a campground with a lower scenic rating may simply not be as picturesque that of as a higher rated campground, however other factors that can influence a trip, such as noise or recreation access, can still affect or enhance your camping trip. Consider both the scenic rating and the profile description before deciding which campground is perfect for you.

This book is divided into chapters based on major regions in the state; an overview map of these regions precedes the table of contents. Each chapter begins with a map of the region, which is further broken down into detail maps. Campgrounds are noted on the detail maps by number.

When I wrote the first edition of this book, I began: Going on a camping trip can be like trying to put hiking boots on an octopus. Youve tried it too, eh? Instead of a relaxing and fun trip full of adventure, it turns into a scenario called You Against the World. You might as well try to fight a volcano.

Its still much the same for many folksand with the reservation crush at many marquee sites, it can take a winter of planning to book sites for peak summer weekends. For example, the cabins at Steep Ravine on the Marin coast can be booked six months out within 10 minutes of the reservation lines opening. The sites at state beaches near Monterey Bay can fill in a day. But there are many other options. Thats why I wrote this book: to never get stuck for the night without a spot.

I can always find a spotoften a great spotall summer long. But you have to know every spot out there in order to take the pressure off and put the fun back in. Thats what this book is all about. Put the mystery, excitement, and fun back into your camping vacations.

Mystery? The mystery awaits you out there on the road as you camp your way amid a series of adventures. There are hundreds of hidden campgrounds listed and mapped in this book that most people have never dreamed of.

Excitement? At many campgrounds, theres a great payoff to crown your trip: a hike to a great lookout or the big fish at the end of a line.

Fun? The Camping Tips section of this book will help you put the fun back in your trips, especially for families.

Camping is like religion: many paths, one truth. This book is designed for campers from all pathsfrom fully outfitted RVers to backpackers headed to trail camps on a month-long expedition.

With this book in your hands, the real question is this: What sets you free? Answer that question and you can transform your life.

California has roughly 400 lakes that you can drive to, 1,000 lakes that you can hike to, 185 major streams, 20 million acres of national forest, 1,200 miles of coast, and more than 100 major wilderness areas. The best campsites at these lakes, streams, coastal bluffs, and trailheads can offer a portal to a new life and a launch point for daily adventures.

Once you answer the question What sets you free? your mission becomes This is the year I start doing it. I once almost moved to the Northwest Territories to become a guide, outfitter, and bush pilot. I was offered a great job and at the time thought there was nowhere else to go in California. Hah! In the process of taking flight lessons, I looked down from the pilots seat and saw places that I never dreamed existed. That set