Where to Camp

Whether you like your camping adventure on an island, close to the sea, or at a reservoir with no motorized boats, these three places hit the spot … the sweet spot for pitching a tent and enjoying some hikes and kayak explorations.

Week: 06.01.2022
Regions: Northern & Southern CA

Island Ahoy!

Camp and Hike on Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park

Two people smiling for a selfie on Santa Cruz Island Channel Island National Park
Two people hiking on Santa Cruz Island Channel Islands National Park
Picnic table at Smugglers Cove beach on Channel Islands National Park
Campers setting up and wandering among tents for camping at Santa Cruze Island
Take to the seas on a weekend adventure to remote Santa Cruz Island (the largest among Channel Islands National Park) and an idyllic campsite coupled with a rugged 8-mile (round-trip) trek to a hidden beach.
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Now You Sea It

Monterey Bay Aquarium's New Into the Deep Exhibit

Kelp Forest
couple viewing kelp forest
The Monterey Bay Aquarium's newest exhibition, Into the Deep, is a fully integrated ocean experience taking you from mesmerizing shoreline kelp forests all the way to the bottom of the sea.
Get Tickets!

Sleeper Hit

Camp and Kayak at Utica Reservoir in Stanislaus National Forest

Camp and Kayak at Utica Reservoir in Stanislaus National Forest
It's all about the water, and the camping, at Utica Reservoir in Stanislaus National Forest, a High Sierra reservoir perfect for kayak explorations and pitching your tent with the lake in the background.
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Sweet and Salty

Camp on the Sonoma Coast at Salt Point State Park

woman on rocks at Salt Point State Park Sonoma Coast
woman camping at Salt Point State Park on Sonoma Coast
woman hiking at Salt Point State Park Sonoma Coast
waves crashing at Salt Point State park
Located on Highway 1 about 18 miles north of Jenner, Salt Point State Park is wild, scenic, and one of the most beautiful places to do some classic coastal camping.
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El Capitán, My Capitán

Camping at El Capitán State Beach

Sunset at El Capitan State Beach in Santa Barbara
Camper at campsite at El Capitan State Beach in Santa Barbara
Person enjoying El Capitan State Beach near Santa Barbara
The best part about camping at El Capitán State Beach? It just might be sunset. The campground, perched on a forested bluff above the beach, gives you the best seats in the house for watching the sun settle down into the Santa Barbara Channel.
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    San Francisco's Middle Earth

    No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.

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  2. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

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  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

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  4. Hike top Angel Island Mount Livermore San Francisco Bay

    Good Heavens

    The 4-mile hike to the top of Angel Island offers Bay-mazing scenery. Some people claim you get a five-bridge view: Richmond-San Rafael, Bay, Golden Gate, San Mateo-Hayward, and Dumbarton bridges.

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  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

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  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

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  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

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  4. Woman hiking down the stairs to Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

    Secluded Royale

    Panoramic coastal views and a killer leg workout combine on this 2.7-mile (round-trip) out-and-back hike to secluded Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

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