Destination:

Let's start with terrain. California has it all ­ mountains, deserts, coastal, rolling oak countryside & even campgrounds in the city limits. Desert camping in summer months should only be attempted by the experienced camper who loves 90+ temperatures. Mountain camping in winter can be freezing, so make sure you have the proper gear. Good maps are a must have and the readily available National Forest maps are your best saviors for getting & staying away from the masses. Visit our Destinations page to decide what kinda place you wanna 'call home for the weekend'.

If you are the "I don't care where I sleep kinda guy, as long as I can do/see this many things" all crammed into a 3-day holiday weekend, then you best do your research, plan for some breaks, calculate driving distances& make a campground reservation or two along your route. Chances are you won't be the only person wanting to do Big Sur, Big Bear or Point Reyes this particular weekend.

 

Campground vs. Dispersed: Some people swear by the open spaces & back roads camping options, as they will have more seclusion, privacy & no fees. You may need a GPS, & a high clearance SUV to reach some of these spots, but you will be blessed with a unique secret spot. Campgrounds come in all styles these days: From small primitive camps with less than 10 sites & minimal toilet to the luxurious RV resorts with laundry room & showers. And then there is everything in between. Reservations are now being accepted at the popular locations. California Campgrounds: Click here to learn more!

What kind of person are you? Be honest!

Determining the ideal tent location will vary on whether you are an 'early riser' or late night person, otherwise known as the 'night owl: up-til-wee-hours around the campfire".

Night Owl
OK, all you, wine-o's & silly drunks, try to be a considerate camper & place your tent near the campfire if you plan to be up late. You & your partying cohorts will not disturb those who had planned to get 'a good nights sleep' & can stumble to your tent closerby with ease. Make sure that you have a large bush, boulder or tree on the east side of your tent, as this is where the dreaded sunlight comes from. Vampires unite!

Early Riser
If you are the kinda person who welcomes the sunrise, sitting on a boulder with a healthy cup of fresh brewed coffee, then you probably don't wanna hear party boys playing philosopher up late at campfire, right next to you pillow. Setting up your tent well away from all communal areas will help you get a great nights sleep, allowing others to do their normal thing without even buggin you.

Light Sleeper
If you wake at the slightest footsteps (or car alarm) you may wanna find a distant spot for your bedding spot. Camp outside of a devloped campground for the most secluded & quiet of nature experiences. If you cannot stand someone snoring, the kindly askyour neighbors. If your new boyfriend does snore & you don't know it yet, you may wanna bring some earplugs, sleeping pills or a good bottle of red wine.

 

 

 

Determining East / the North Star

If you fear the morning sunlight like a true vampire, make sure you are not in the direct line of fire at 6 am, in case you planned to sleep in until 9 am. If you arrive at camp after dark & need to decipher where the sun comes up, just locate the North Star silly. Hmmm, sounds easy? Now where is that sucker. See the diagram below for gathering the astronomy part of the lesson.

The stars named the big dipper is a nice way to find the north star. Draw a line from the edge of cup -- spilling out straight over to the brightest star.

Now, for all of you who didn't get a decent high school education: Locating east can be easy if you always remember this small exercise. Standing up, point your face to the north, extend your right arm out sideways & this will be east . The same goes for left/west. South is right behind ya. The sun sit low in the winter months & follows more along the south horizon.

Some more Helpful Hints:

Bring a decent Sleeping Pad. Air Mattresses with inflator pumps. They are the greatest marvel since the creation of dome tents.
Shade in the Desert sound like an oxymoron, unless you find a place with high cliffs, caves, mines, & slot canyons. Pinyon pines & oversized manzanita can be found in higher elevation deserts. The prime desert camping season is generally October thru March, as April can easily soar close to 90 degrees high. Neat deserts include Anza Borrego, Mojave National Preserve, Picacho Peak, Panamint & Death Valley, Red Rock, & oh yeah, the much over-loved Joshua Tree.
Flat & Soft ground is the goal in choosing the best tent spot. Park your vehicles over the rocky slanted ground & keep the best flat areas for your camp. SUV & truck tailgates can also make great kitchens too.
Warning: Net geeks & artist's types (who like to stay up late) - Retired people, RV'ers, & Families with Kids tend to get up early. And naturally kids make noise.

Peace! Take all of the above seriously, whether you are camping alone or with a large group, these realizations can & will help you in choosing the correct sleeping environment.