Total Escape Outside in California: DanaMite created this website 27 years ago and is still at it today.
Total Escape is a true LABOR of LOVE
California LAKE LIST
California RIVER LIST
summer wildfires
The northwest portion of California is ablaze with forest fires! Five different fires are burning between Trinity River and Smith River and are far from containment.
The Happy Camp Complex (largest of the fires at 25k acres), Klamath River, Siskiyou, Del Norte County, Humboldt, Trinity fires – all began in mid August and are affecting air quality statewide.
SMOKE MAP (nationwide)
fire.airnow.gov
CALIFORNIA INCIDENTS
https://www.fire.ca.gov/Incidents
DEEP FIRE @ Trinity Co
https://www.facebook.com/DeepFire2023
SOUTH FORK @ @ Trinity Co
https://www.facebook.com/SouthForkComplex2023
CALIFORNIA WINERIES UPDATED for 2023
Total Escape Outside in California
gasolina 
Gone are the days of cheap gas and endless cruising. Darting around, all over the state, for days of driving and sightseeing pleasure. A cafe here, a remote campground there, more beer and ice 25 miles round trip, moving camp every day.
RVer and van-lifers may actually find themselves staying put for a change with the fuel prices being so high. Plan a week-long trip outdoors, instead of 4 short weekends of frantic driving. STAY LONGER, RELAX MORE, get to know your local canyon and the wildlife – up close and personal.
DIG DEEPER!
California Google Maps
Benchmark Baja Atlas
National Forest Atlas
Regional Maps
RURAL, SMALL TOWNS
California places listed by elevation
Rural counties inside California
Our ever-expanding California Town List has updated populations, since some cities / towns have doubled (or even quadrupled) in size. Also fresh local links, updated weather link, and museums. On each town page are more books and maps – specific to the local area, plus a few new photos.
Listing local farms, orchards and wineries, coffee shops, cafes, small markets and restaurants, independent grocery stores, garden centers, services, farmers markets – and anything organic!
Total Escape features ONLY local travel in California. Much of it is free or inexpensive, primarily on the back roads – with abundant nature and outdoor activities.
We list only the mom-n-pop, independent lodges – without the chain hotels and giant resorts. We list all cabins, RV parks, yurts, campgrounds and tent cabins.
Hot springs, petroglyphs, old mining camps and ghost towns. Off roading areas, massive sand dunes, and all the desert parks. Hiking, biking, kayaking and so much more. We have traditional, local events for each community; bike rental shops, organic cafes, local coffee shops and every wilderness area in the Golden State.
Explore this site: All of it, just on California.
