Tag Archives: redwoods

California Coast, Campgrounds, Coastal Cliffs, Redwoods

Mendocino Beach Camping

Mendocino Coast Campgrounds

villageoncliff
Tent camping directly on a sandy beach can be found at USAL BEACH – on remote reaches of the rugged Lost Coast, via long dirt roads (not recommended for RV or camper trailers). Numerous small, cheap, forested campgrounds can be found on the Kings Range (dirt) roads. The area is also known as Honeydew or the Emerald Triangle. The “emerald” comes from the color of the main economic staple, cannabis. Heed all warnings. Private Property signs and gates mean that you need to turn arund and look for camping elsewhere. (Before you hear the gun shots.)

The remainder of camp accommodations are State Parks and State Beaches on the Mendo coast, offering developed campgrounds and most are first come, first serve. 

There are no campgrounds inside the popular, historic village of Mendocino, CA , but two state parks are within a mile to the north and south side of town: Van Damme Campground & Russian Gulch Campground. Local KOA and a few private RV parks make up the rest of the scenic coastline.

Lost Coast Camping BLM

Kings Range National Conservation Area

camp on the sand

Lost Coast Bridge

Westport Union Landing State Beach

MacKerricher State Park

  • Pinewood Campground
  • Surfwood Campground

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Fort Bragg, California Campgrounds

Cleone Campground

Hidden Pines Camp & RV Park

Jug Handle Creek Farm & Campground

Pomo RV Park & Campground

Sportsmans RV Park

Woodside RV Park & Campground

Caspar Beach RV Park Campground

Camping Mendocino Village Area

Mendocino Coast Village

Mendocino Coast –
Albion, Pt. Arena & Gualala

camp

Manchester State Park

Manchester KOA Campground

Anchor Bay Campground @ Fish Rock Beach

Gualala River Redwood Park

Redwood forest

Mendocino Coast towns:
Albion
Caspar
Elk
Fort Bragg
Gualala
Little River
Mendocino

California Coast, Campgrounds, Coastal Cliffs, Redwoods

Humboldt Beach Camping

Humboldt Camping Sites

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The sheer beauty of real weather, the clashing storms and ocean with the land. Cold and wet half the year (or more), Northern Cal has less people and more scenery. More nature, more land, more forests, more view points, more wild beauty – than the rest of the California coast.

Maybe more hippies too!

The fantastic coastlines of Northern California are forested, rugged, rocky and they receive a lot more rain than the rest of California. Coastal fog or deep cloud layers are common, even in warmer months.

Tall cliffs, large lagoons, rural towns, and foggy beaches. Beaches filled with small rocks. No sand? Minimal access to the coast in some areas.

Super tall, coastal redwood trees thrive along this oceanfront wildness. They are located just a skip away from the sea. Most groves located miles inland, near US 101 highway. Close enough, but not out there on the windy beach, exposed with the elements.

redwood101

NorCal Coast Campgrounds are located generally along river ways, near redwood forests and near paved roads. Redwood Campgrounds are all over up here. Literally, everywhere. Some camps are better suited for RV campers than others. A few parks have walk-in or hike-in access to camp sites.

Several redwood parks are 20 miles from the coast, so know the exact location before you book a campsite online. Driving “over to coast for a quick day trip” is no easy task, since routes can be narrow backroads with many curves. Pavement, if you’re lucky.

listed below:
campgrounds actually located at the coastline are labeled in bold text

When the weather is warm and sunny, people – flock to the hidden coves, rugged beaches, or they float, kayak, fish or raft on the rivers, or the enjoy long day hikes.

blue links lead to State Park pages with camp reservations.

State Park

NorCal Redwoodsstate parks
State Parks & Campgrounds

Humboldt Lagoon State Park

  • Stone Lagoon Campground
  • Dry Lagoon Hike-in Sites

Humboldt Redwoods State Park & Campground camp

Little River State Beach Campground

Patricks Point State Park Campground  camp

Prairie Creek Redwood State Park camp

  • Butler Creek Walk-in Camp
  • Elk Prairie Campground
  • Gold Bluffs Campground

Richardson Grove State Park camp

humboldtSP

Some redwoods parks are open year round, others only in summer months. Reservations for campgrounds is common along this desired vacation region of California. River kayakers, mountain bikers, tent campers, avid hikers, road trippers and RV campers.

camps actually located at the coastline are labeled in bold text

California Redwood forests are found along the NorthCoast; coastal redwoods. And in the Sierra Nevada mountains; those big redwoods are called Sequoias.

see more big, old trees

redwood parks

Humboldt County Parks with Camping

 

Lost Coast Camping BLM BLM camping

USA Lumber Company

USA Lumber (historic site) & Campground

Usal Beach Campground
(on the border of Mendocino and Humboldt Counties)

Flint Ridge Campground
(on the border of DelNorte and Humboldt Counties)

 

redwood parks

Black Sands Beach, California

Humboldt towns along the coast –

(listed from south to north)

 

Lost Coast Drive Dirt Roads
Lost Coast: Drive Dirt Roads – USAL ROAD# 431, this road is the hard left off HWY 1, just as it peels away from coast and heads into redwoods and US 101. Follow this dirt and gravel scenic wonder drive out to Usal Beach Campground, Sinkyone Wilderness and Shelter Cove. The pavement picks up again near Honeydew, a rugged 30-something miles north. Real 4×4 may be needed in wet weather.
California Lodge, Groves, Sightseeing

Redwood Hotels

Sierra Lodges, Sequoia Cabins & California Redwood Inns

alta sierra

Rent a cabin in the redwood forest of the north coast of California, or get a weekend retreat in the Sequoia, deep in the Sierra Nevada. Redwood inns, cottages & yurts can be found in the Central Coast region. Big Sur redwoods & Santa Cruz redwoods. Rustic hostels, historic Sierra lodges, or mountain cabins can be found in the Sierras, from Alta Sierra near Kernville, to Yosemite National Park.

Places to stay overnight in the Redwoods, or close by –

If you seek big lodges made from redwood timbers, those are the historic inns, located all over California. Redwood was harvested in California since 1850, right after gold was discovered and the masses flooded in. State officials have limited harvesting of ancient redwoods in Northern California in 1988. Logging and agricultural farms have already wiped out 96% of redwood forest that once covered California.

California Lodge, Groves, Sightseeing

Sequoia Cabins

Sierra Cabins near Sequoia Groves

Sequoia trees naturally grow in the Sierra Nevada mountains, on the west side of the range. Several parks & forests make up what is known as “the Sequoias” – in the Southern Sierra, Sequoia National Forest; Giant Sequoia National Monument; Mountain Home State Forest; Central Sierra is home to Sequoia National Park & neighboring Kings Canyon NP; Sierra National Forest & Yosemite NP. Yep, all those areas have Sequoia groves!

See all the Sequoia & Redwood Groves in California!

California Cabin Rentals near to Sequoia groves –

Sequoia cabin rentals

TOPO MAPS of California Redwoods –

  • Sequoia Maps by NatGeo
  • Yosemite NP Maps
  • NorCal Redwoods Map

    • If you are searching for tallest species, the Coastal Redwoods located on the shores of Northern California, then you can find them over here – NorCal Redwoods

    Back Roads, Backpacking, California Coast, Campsites, Campspots, Coastal Cliffs, Creeks, Equestrian, Groves, Hiking, Historic Site, Redwoods, Trailheads, Wilderness

    Sinkyone Wilderness

    Lost Coast of California

    Lost Coast California Sinkyone Wilderness State Park

    NPS  King Range National Conservation Area

    Redwood groves and wilderness meet the Pacific Ocean at the infamous Lost Coast of California. Northern California is NorCal – steep trails, creeks, waterfalls, ocean views, and coastal cliffs. Mendocino and Humboldt County has numerous redwood parks and picnic grounds located near Pacific Coast Hwy 1 & US Hwy 101. This particular wilderness area is located in between Westport and Shelter Cove, just west of Leggett, CA. Situated on the west side of US Hwy 101 and only accessible via a long dirt road. The Sinkyone wild lands are managed under the California State Park system.

    Sinkyone Wilderness hike Ranger Station 707-986-7711

    Sinkyone Wilderness access –

    North end – Needle Rock: 36 miles southwest of Garberville & Redway, California. Briceland Road west from Redway, this road becomes Mendocino County Road 435. The last 3.5 miles are unpaved, steep, & narrow. South end – Usal Beach: Approximately one hour north of Ft Bragg on PCH or 15 miles west of Leggett on PCH from Highway 101. Look for mile marker 90.88 on PCH. Turn north on small dirt road; 6 miles to Usal on unpaved, steep, narrow road.

    ROADS MAY BE IMPASSABLE IN WET WEATHER. RV’S & TRAILERS NOT RECOMMENDED.

      View Larger Map

    dscn0147 Usal Campground

    LOST COAST CAMPING

    Usal Campground – USA Lumber Company staged a logging operation here in the early 1900’s. Now this remote spot is a popular back road campground accessibly only by a long dirt road drive. 4×4 and car camping only; No trailers or RV campers!

    NEARBY TOWNS

    Wilderness State Park

    August, Events, Festivals

    Reggae on the River

    Reggae on the River 2011

    Redwood forests with sweet tunes out-of-doors, at the river.

    THIRTY YEARS running – this is an epic NorCal summertime music event. The celebration of reggae music in Northern California, at French’s Camp – right on the Eel River. Glorious surroundings, excellent redwoods camping all over the region!

    Annual event; August
    707-923 3368

    Garberville CA

    reggaeontheriver.com

    California Coast, California Rivers, Campsites, Groves, Sightseeing, Trailheads, Wilderness

    California North Coast

    Northern CA Coast / Northern Coast of California

    The redwood north coast of California is very forested region with many rivers & streams running throughout. Fishing, kayaking, rafting, camping & backpacking are all superb here. The wilderness rules, as the majority of the landscape is wild & untouched by development. Mountain ranges near the north California coast span in elevation from 1000′ to 8000′. The Klamath River, Eel River & Trinity River are the predominate waterways in this region, with designated National Forest lining their canyons. There are over 10 parks along the coast that feature the redwood trees as the main attraction. The ones listed below are the inland, mountainous areas of Northern California.

    klamath river

    Mendocino National Forest

    Clear Lake, Kelseyville, Ukiah

    north coast CA

    Redwood National Park

    Klamath, Orick

    north coast CA

    Six Rivers National Forests

    north coast CA

    Smith River Recreation Area

    Crescent City, Orleans

    Groves

    Sequoia Sierra

    Sequoia Parks, an overview by Total Escape.Sequoia sierra

    As if the government wasn’t confusing enough, now they have named so many areas of the Sierra Nevada “Sequoia” that it confuses people even more. For Pete’s sake, all we wanna do is see some big trees, hike, fish, camp and really relax.

    The largest trees in the whole wide world are grounded right here in Cali, deep in the forests of the incredible Sierra Nevada mountains. The giant Sequoia groves are found in several parks in the Sierra, and are not specific to just the parks boundaries. You can find them as far south as the Western Divide Hwy, up past California Hot Springs – in the newest Giant Sequoia park, and you can find them as far north as Gold Rush Country.

    These massive Sierra redwoods are not be be confused with the tallest trees – the California Coastal Redwoods, which are found along the Pacific Ocean, from the canyons of Big Sur to rocky shores of Crescent City. The oldest living trees are the Ancient Bristlecone Pines, east of Bishop CA

    ancient trees

    Big, Tall, Old Trees

    A break down of all the redwood parks by geographic regions, so you can find exactly what you are looking for, without the confusing name games.

    Wikipedia: an excellent list of Giant Sequoia Groves

    Sequoia Area Maps:

    Group Campgrounds

    California Summer Camp

    Kids Summer Camps in California

    a child’s fondest memory, summer camp.

    California Camps

    Coppercreek Camp
    Williams Valley Rd
    Greenville, CA 95947
    800-350-0006
    Northern Sierra Nevada mountains

    Gold Arrow Camp
    60378 Highway 168
    Lakeshore, CA 93634
    800-554-2267
    Central Sierra Nevada mountains

    Kennolyn Camps
    8205 Glen Haven Road
    Soquel, CA 95073
    831-479-6714
    Santa Cruz mountains

    Mountain Meadow Ranch
    Susanville, CA 96130
    530-257-4419
    Northern Sierra California

    Plantation Farm Camp
    4285 Kruse Ranch Road
    Cazadero, CA 95421
    510-849-1084
    707-847-3494
    Coastal Sonoma redwoods

    Pine Springs Ranch
    58000 Apple Canyon Road
    Mountain Center, CA 92561
    951-659-4131
    Idyllwild SoCal mountains

    River Way Ranch Camp
    6450 Elwood Road
    Sanger, CA 93657
    800-821-2801
    559-787-2551
    Central Sierra, Kings Canyon

    Shaffer’s High Sierra Camp
    38782 Highway 49
    Sattley, CA 96124
    866-597-6617
    Gold Country Sierra foothills

    Skylake Yosemite Camp
    37976 Road 222
    Wishon, CA 93669
    559-642-3720
    Bass Lake in Sierra NF

    RV Parks

    San Francisco RV Park

    RV Campground San Francisco / RV Camp Ground

    San Francisco RVing

    Beach RV Park
    2505 Portola Dr
    Santa Cruz, CA
    831 462-2505

    Betabel RV Park
    9664 Betabel Rd
    San Juan Bautista, CA
    800-278-7275
    831 623-2202

    Candlestick RV Park
    650 Gilman Ave
    San Francisco, CA
    800 888-2267
    415 822-2299

    Costanoa Coastal Lodge & Camp
    2001 Rossi Road @ Hwy 1
    Pescadero, CA
    650 879-1100

    Coyote Valley RV & Golf Resort
    9750 Monterey Rd
    Morgan Hill, CA
    866 376-5500
    408 463-8400
    San Jose, CA

    Marin Park
    2140 Redwood Hwy.
    Greenbrae , CA
    888 461-5199

    Novato RV Park
    1530 Armstrong Ave
    Novato, CA
    800 733-6787
    415 897-1271

    Olema Ranch Campground
    Point Reyes National Seashore
    10155 Highway 1
    Olema, CA
    800 655-2267
    415 663-8001

    Parkway Lakes RV Park
    100 Ogier Ave
    Morgan Hill, CA
    408 779-0244

    Pinto Lake Park
    451 Green Valley Rd
    Watsonville, CA
    831 722-8129

    San Francisco RV Resort
    700 Palmetto Ave
    Pacifica, CA
    877-864-2728
    182 sites

    Santa Cruz Ranch RV Park
    917 Disc Dr
    Scotts Valley, CA 95066
    877-864-2728
    Full hook up, pull-thru sites

    Saratoga Springs Park
    22801 Big Basin Way
    Saratoga, CA
    408 867-3016 x824

    Trailer Tel RV Park
    1212 Oakland Rd
    San Jose, CA
    408 453-3535

    Treasure Island RV Park
    1700 El Camino Real
    South San Francisco CA
    650 994-3266

    see also –

    California Coast, Campgrounds, Coastal Cliffs

    Monterey Campgrounds

    Monterey Bay Campgrounds

    Monterey Beach Camping

    The Monterey Bay of California is located south of the San Francisco peninsula, and north of the rugged Big Sur Central Coast. This is a popular region for tourism, coastal villages w/ shops and restaurants, parks and beaches, farms and farm stands.  With Santa Cruz mountains and redwoods as the backdrop, this coastline is also highly residential.

    Camping along this coast is limited mostly to State Parks and few private RV park campgrounds. No primitive beach camping is allowed on State Beaches, no hike-in camp sites, no hidden cove tent sites, nor secret dirt roads with views over the Pacific. This is a very developed beach and bay, with the 4-lane freeway, main artery US Highway 101, bordering the entire shore.

    If you are looking for free and a more rugged, scenic camp – head south to the Big Sur Coast, to find a dirt road camp on the ridge. The sweetest ocean view hike-in camp sites can be found to the north, in the Marin Headlands of Point Reyes, which can be found under Marin Camping.

    blue links lead to State Park pages w/ camp reservations.camp

    Monterey Area Campgrounds

    (listed from south to north)

    Monterey Pines RV Campground (Navy)

    Monterey County Fairgrounds RV Park

    Marina Dunes RV Park

    Sunset State Beach State Parks
    South Campground

    Manresa State Beach State Parks
    Uplands Campground

    Seacliff RV Park

    Seacliff State Beach Campground State Parks

    New Brighton State Beach State Parks

    Santa Vida RV Park, Santa Cruz, California

    Costanoa Coastal Lodge & Campground, Pescadero

    Pelican Point RV Park, Half Moon Bay

    Half Moon State Beach State Parks
    Francis Beach Campground

    camping monterey

    woods

    seaside towns along coast at
    Monterey Bay up to San Francisco –

    (listed from south to north)