We feel the camping vibes. Here's our first in a two-part roundup of beautiful destinations that also have camping, cabins, and glamping.
Week: 05.29.2024
Regions: Northern & Southern CA
A Splash of Whiskeytown
Kayaking Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Greater California
Water
Located just 8 miles west of Redding and surrounded by mountain peaks, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is nearly 40,000 acres of all things outdoors: waterfalls, campgrounds, beaches, hiking trails, and a beautiful crystal-clear lake at the center of it all.
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California: State of Nature {The Magical Mojave}
IntroducingCalifornia: StateofNature, a new exhibition at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
The California Academy of Sciences’s dynamic new exhibition, California: StateofNature, is a colorful peek into four of our state’s distinct and resilient ecosystems: forests, coasts, deserts, and cities.
See the New Exhibit, California: State of Nature
Kayak to a Remote Beach Camp
Kayaking to Lava Wall on Catalina Island
Los Angeles County
Overnight Escapes, Water
Lava Wall. The name alone shouts adventure—and the place loudly delivers. This towering volcanic cliff is the backdrop to a remote beach campground on Catalina Island that you can only reach by boat.
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Bucks Up!
Kayak and Picnic at Bucks Lake in Plumas County
Greater California
Water, Relaxing, Dog Friendly
Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.
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Emerald in the Woods
Camping and Paddling at Green Valley Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains
Inland Empire
Overnight Escapes, Dog Friendly, Hikes, Water
Green Valley Lake, nestled at 7,000 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains right between Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead, has all the watery charm of those popular bodies of water, just on a smaller scale, and decidedly without crowds—or motorized boats. It's also got camping, including first-come, first-served options.
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Fancy Camp
Glamping at Mendocino Grove
Greater California
Water, Overnight Escapes, Dog Friendly, Relaxing
Wanna go rugged on the coast, minus the whole pitching your own tent and sleeping on the ground bit? Mendocino Grove is spot-on for upgrading your roughing-it experience, with beautifully appointed tent-cabins set across the bluffs overlooking Mendocino Bay.
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Duck, Duck, Goose!
Camp at Goose Lake in the Lakes Basin, Sierra Nevada
Greater California
Dog Friendly, Overnight Escapes, Relaxing, Water
Try to get a first-come, first-served campsite at one of the Lakes Basin’s lakeside campgrounds. We love Goose Lake Campground, where there are just 13 sites and no motorized boats.
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Island Ahoy!
Camp and Hike on Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park
Overnight Escapes, Hikes, Water
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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Your Inbox to the Outdoors
Stay up to date with our weekly recommendations on where to explore locally in California.
Trending Stories NorCal
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Golden Gate's Blue Heron
Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is hometo birds of manyfeathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.
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Cañada Collage
This 4.3-mile loop through Cañada Del Oro Open Space Preserve showcases all the highlights of the season, thrumming with wildlife and wildflowers.
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The Beauty of Bainbridge Island
You know a place is special when locals head to it for their in-state vacations. Follow the lead of Seattleites and venture to beautiful Bainbridge Island in the heart of Puget Sound on the Kitsap Peninsula. Hike the Grand Forest here, meet Pia the Peacekeeper, and enjoy tasty food and drinks.
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Path of History Walk (+ Food Bonuses)
Monterey’s 2-mile yellow tiled, multilingual Path of History is a do-it-yourself stroll among some of the area’s most interesting, beautiful, and culturally significant sites, including through the Old Town, past Mexican-era adobes, and to the beautiful Royal Presidio Chapel.
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Be Dune-spired!
There’s only one urban park on the planet that helped inspire a major theme in Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi book, Dune. Herbert was born and raised in Tacoma, and Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park is named in honor of his famous novel—a tribute to one of the book’s main ideas ...
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Rancho Style
Vicente Bluffs Reserve dazzles anytime, but during the golden hour it’s an absolute knockout. Majestic rocky bluffs, dreamy ocean views, and a picturesque lighthouse are just a few of the reasons.
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Little Norway
There aren’t many small towns in America that look and feel like Europe, but Washington State sure seems to have a few! Lesser known among them is Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula. Dubbed “Little Norway,” this hamlet on the waterfront of Liberty Bay is charmed with Scandinavian influence.
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Do it Yourself Walking Tour of Solvang
Solvang has long been described as a “little slice of Denmark in Southern California." Experience the historic village on a 3-mile walk that explores the architecture, food, wine, and green space.
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- Bike RidesLet's ride!
- Overnight EscapesGet outta town.
- Dog FriendlyBring the beast.
- WaterHit the refresh button.
- RelaxingAnd exhale.
- HikesThe trails are calling.
