This community event is always a crowd-pleaser, with everything from parades to pie eating contests. The AG Harvest Festival serves as a tribute to agriculture, Arroyo Grande’s leading industry. This festival focuses on the local non-profit organizations that serve the community. Bring the whole family for all of the weekend festivities.
Annual event: September
Saint Sophia Cathedral
@ Pico & Normandie
The largest, most celebrated, and iconic representation of Greek food and culture in Los Angeles. Voted as the must-attend event of September by Los Angeles Magazine, the LA Greek Fest is your passport to Greece right here in your own backyard. LA Greek Fest attracts thousands of guests for each day of festivities for an unforgettable celebration of food, wine, dance, games and performances and one-of-a-kind cultural experience. Authentic Greek Food and Pastries. Greek Wines and Beers. Live Greek Music and Folk Dancing. Arts and Crafts. Raffle.
Annual event: September
323-737-2424
Sierra Nevada Campgrounds inside the Stanislaus National Forest
Hwy 4, Stanislaus National Forest Camping
| campground | elev | spots | veg | toilet | water | notes |
| Big Meadow Campground | 6200′ | 30 | pines | flush | piped | Hi Sierra; no RV hookups |
| Bloomfield Campground | 7800′ | 20 | pines | vault | pump | Mokelumne River fishing |
| Board’s Crossing Camp | 3800′ | 5 | pines | vault | creek | Stanislaus River fishing |
| Hermit Valley Campground | 7100′ | 8 | pines | vault | creek | June-Oct |
| Lake Alpine Campground | 7300′ | 25 | pines | flush | piped | June-Oct |
| Mosquito Lakes Camp | 8260′ | 8 | pines | vault | lake | Sierra river fishing |
| Pacific Valley Campground | 7600′ | 9 | pines | vault | no | meadow, June-Oct |
| Sand Flat Campground | 5900′ | 6 | pines | vault | creek | 4WD camp, June-Oct |
| Silvertip Campground | 7300′ | 23 | pines | flush | piped | June-Oct |
| Silver Valley Campground | 7400′ | 21 | pines | flush | piped | June-Oct |
| Stanislaus River Campground | 6200′ | 25 | pines | vault | pump | Sierra river fishing |
Hwy 120, Groveland Yosemite Camping
| campground | elev | spots | veg | toilet | water | notes |
| Lost Claim Campground | 3100′ | 10 | pines | vault | pump | May-Sep |
| Lumsden Campground | 1500′ | 11 | mixed | vault | creek | Tuolumne River fishing |
| Lumsden Bridge Camp | 1500′ | 9 | mixed | vault | creek | Tuolumne River fishing |
| South Fork Campground | 1500′ | 8 | – | vault | creek | Tuolumne River fishing |
Hwy 108, Sonora Pass Camping Stanislaus
| campground | elev | spots | veg | toilet | water | notes |
| Crandall OHV Camp | 5000′ | disp | – | no | no | May-Oct |
| Dardanelle RV Park & Cabins | 5700′ | park | pines | flush | piped | 209-965-4355 |
| Boulder Flat Campground | 5600′ | 20 | pines | vault | piped | Stanislaus River |
| Cascade Creek Campground | 6000′ | 12 | pines | vault | creek | May-Oct |
| Deadman Campground | 6200′ | 17 | pines | vault | piped | Stanislaus River fishing |
| Herring Creek Campground | 7350′ | 7 | pines | pit | creek | May-Oct |
| Mill Creek Campground | 6200′ | 19 | pines | vault | creek | May-Oct |
| Niagara Creek Campground | 6600′ | 10 | pines | vault | creek | May-Oct |
| Niagara Creek OHV Camp | 6600′ | 10 | pines | vault | creek | 4×4 camps, May-Oct |
| Sand Bar Flat Campground | 3000′ | 10 | pines | vault | piped | Stanislaus River fishing |
| Trout Creek Campground | 5400′ | disp. | – | chem | creek | equestrian, May-Oct |
nearby towns –
maps of this Sierra Nevada region –
California is an outdoor recreation paradise, with near perfect weather, diverse terrain and breathtaking scenery around every corner. Many folks gravitate to the west coast specifically to be outdoors more.
Soaking in the sunshine, every day, every week. Reconnecting with nature and choosing to live a more healthy lifestyle, eat well and learning to relax often. Camping can be a real vacation – without the high cost of travel.
Avoid crowds
Try getting out there before Memorial Day or after Labor Day!
Desert camping is popular during winter months, while mountain destinations are preferred in summer. Find a secluded small campground or even try roughing it w/ primitive car camping. Motorhome campers who like to boondock, will enjoy the extensive back roads section of Total Escape. If you own a 4WD vehicle, you can reach the most secluded 4×4 camps, lookout towers and some historic cabins.
| season | description | recommended |
| Summer | hot in deserts & country foothills, smoggy in cities; coastlines can be foggy |
mountains & coast |
| Autumn | great camping all around, early winter storms in mountains |
coast, deserts, country |
| Winter | snow in mountains & very cold, windy on coast as seasonal storms move in |
deserts (possibly) |
| Spring | snow melt in mountains may be late, storms can last into late springtime |
deserts & country |
annual timelines to consider
SEASONAL RATINGS on LOCAL TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
| perfect | okay | iffy | no way |
| Coastal | Desert | Country | Mountain | City |
| winter | winter | winter | winter | winter |
| spring | spring | spring | spring | spring |
| summer | summer | summer | summer | summer |
| autumn | autumn | autumn | autumn | autumn |
