Expert: Steve Summers - 6/30/2007

Question
Steve,
We used to camp at the Eel River near Garberville (N Cal), but since we are now in San Diego are there any places up to Central Cal that would be good camping AND have a good river to swim in?

Answer
Hi Johanna,

You might want to review your California geography: Let's see.. San Diego, coastal desert. LA, coastal desert. There's just not that much rainfall in the south of the state (or central) to have any cool rivers like in Northern California. That's why you moved south, right? The nice weather (e.g., less rain).

Bottom line, if you want rivers, you have to go up to Northern California or the Sierras. We like camping in Yosemite Valley, by the Merced River. The Delta is nice, too, near Sacramento.

The Kings River, south of Fresno, has some decent camping areas, but it's so blasted HOT right now, I wouldn't camp there.

Oh yeah, there's the Colorado River... It's desert camping, so summer is OUT. Camping there in the fall(late September, October) is lots of fun, especially if you have some watercraft.

Have fun,

Steve