California Picnic Items

Picnic Backpacks, Baskets & Coolers

Everyone loves a picnic, especially if the weather is perfect and the day is long. Leave early and stay late!

From local parks to county parks, freeway rest stops to mountain meadows, Californians love to get outdoors and enjoy themselves.  Planning a day hike, usually involves bringing food along. And we’re not talking fast food either.

Bring your own food and snacks saves cash (NOT eating out on every meal). Eating ‘en route’ while traveling often means picnicking. Pulling off the main road or highway, parking far from traffic will help keep noises at a minimum.

Tailgating is another popular phrase for drinking & eating near the back of your vehicle. Hatch-backing just doesn’t sound right.

Cooler Backpacks

Picnic Backpacks

Picnic Baskets

Picnic Blankets

see also – Tarps and Screen Rooms

Best Picnic Spots in California 

items to pack

food, snacks, beverages: fruit, cheese, bread, salami, spreads, sandwiches, crackers, chips, pickles. Water, wine, beer, sangria, iced tea, lemonade

jars & bottles – glass is often prohibited on beaches and in certain parks; know before you go!

cutlery & utensils (knife, forks, spoons); cork screw w/ bottle opener

blanket (or tarp) to sit on the ground; picnic tables are not always available

cloth napkins, or a roll of paper towels; paper napkins easily blow away. wet wipes are also great to have.

grill or bar-b-que (if you plan to cook outdoors); check local fire conditions, you may need a free campfire permit to grill w/ open flame outdoors; never BBQ in windy conditions. wildfires are a real danger in Cali. fire safety

ambience: incense, music, dim LED lights; candles, tea light lanterns, tiki torches (flames? if campfires are banned, so are these novelty items)

shade: umbrella, screen tent, easy-up, or just a tarp w/ rope. old sheet is a handy item to carry while traveling, taking up very little space.

clothing: hats, sweaters, jackets, hiking boots, swim suit, beach towel

nice to have: sunglasses, folding chair, pillows, extra blankets, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, radio, water purifier, fishing pole & tackle, board games, deck of cards

 

NOTE: High Sierra is only accessible a few months out of the year.