A Guide to Planning Your Next Camping Trip to California

If you have previously had a bad experience with camping or if this is your first time heading into the wilderness, you might be looking for good ways to plan your next camping trip to California. To ensure that it can run as smoothly as possible, let’s find out what to consider before finalizing your vacation. Here is a comprehensive guide to the specifics of planning an enjoyable camping vacation to the wilds of the golden state. 

Find an Idyllic Location

The most crucial aspect of every camping trip is finding a beautiful location which you can fall in love with and which you will want to spend a week or two sleeping outside, this is no difficult feat in California. It would be best if you looked at some of the most famous camping destinations in California, such as the Pacific Crest Trail, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and the numerous redwood forests. An ideal location is not only about sea views. The perfect place is also dependent on other factors, such as:

• Weather
• Is it a safe location 
• Are the activities that you enjoy close by
• Available transportation in the area

All of these factors differ across the state of California. 

Buy the Equipment You Will Need

Before you even consider booking your trip, you need to start investing in the equipment that you will need, especially if you are planning to buy expensive camping gear over a more extended period. The equipment that you need for a trip to California includes a waterproof tent, suitable clothing such as coats and waterproof trousers, sleeping bags, and camping stoves. If you are planning to go on a road trip, which is a popular option for travelers in California, or are you looking to provide your transportation, you may also need to consider investing in a camper van or RV which can help you get out on the road as soon as possible.

Decide the Type of Camping You Want to Try

Although you might have a particular image of camping in your mind, there are many different types of camping that you can try in the golden state, and each type may be suitable for various sorts of people and what they want to get out of the vacation. For instance, if you’re going to rough it and immerse yourself within the natural environment, then traditional wilderness camping may be right for you. However, if you want to retain some of the home luxuries that you cannot live without, then you may consider opting for glamping, which is rising in popularity. This will allow you to sleep in a bed and even cook from your luxury tent’s comfort. California is a large state, though, and you may also consider going RV camping if you want to move between locations or if you want to take your accommodation with you at all times. 

Map Out Campgrounds on Your Route

Mapping out the available campgrounds that are on your route is paramount to avoid being unable to find a place to make camp at night. Many campsites get booked up far in advance, so you must ensure that there are camping sites near to where you are planning to stop in the evenings and that these have the facilities you are looking for. To find a place to stay around the area that you want to visit, Outdoorsy can help you find California RV parks and campgrounds with a range of suitable options for every type of camper.

Choose When You Want to Go

One of the major determining factors of every good camping trip is the weather, which can be a significant factor in deciding to head out on your vacation. Although you might be longing for the heat of summer to ensure that you are kept warm at night, the warmer temperatures can make tent living extremely unbearable in the deserts and Mediterranean climate. It is well-known that fall is the best time to go camping as the colder weather is paired with bright, sunny days, and these are usually dryer than during the winter season.

Practice Your Camping Skills

There is nothing worse than going camping for the first time and realizing that you do not know how to set up your tent, use a camping stove, or even read a map. To ensure that you do not become stuck when you are camping for the first time, or after a couple of years’ break, you should practice the essential camping skills that you will need at home before you travel. This will make sure that you do not spend the duration of your trip uncomfortable and unable to focus on enjoying yourself.

Create a Budget

Although you will not need to worry about the major costs of traditional vacations, such as accommodation and travel, you will still need to consider creating a budget. Ensure that you have the funds to last until the end of your trip and that your credit card will not become overdrawn while you are away. Make sure to include costs such as food, campsite fees, gas for your RV, and any additional activities or tours, such as boat trips under the Golden Gate Bridge, and any gear that you need to buy before and during the vacation.

Plan the Specifics of Your Trip

Once you have planned the basics of your trip, consider some of the more specific details. These should include your meal plans for each day, as this will allow you to make sure that you have enough food to last for the entire vacation. It would be best if you also planned any activities that you wish to try while you are away, as this could influence where you choose to stay and how much money you will need. What’s more, many of these activities, such as popular options like visiting Alcatraz, will have to be booked in advance to secure your place on them and make sure that you can get the times that suit you.

Featured Image by bhossfeld from Pixabay