Expert: Steve Summers - 5/12/2004

Question
Please help me. I am looking for tent camp sights in the red wood forests, yosemite, and along the coast of california- must be kid frendly
Thank you so much

Answer
Hi Suzanne,

All of the camsite reservations are handled by two groups. You can reserve National Parks at reservations.nps.gov (For Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks), and www.reserveamerica.com (for state campgrounds).

Just about all of the parks on these sites are VERY kid-friendly. I've taken my family to many of these parks, and the kids really love them. There is something for everybody. Take Yosemite, for example. Our youngest is content just to splash in the creek that runs by the campsite. The older kids like to ride their bikes or take the shuttle bus into the village to shop. My wife and I like to take small hikes around the valley, or take the shuttle to see a show. There are campfire programs, a pool, etc, etc, etc. Just walking along the river or riding the bike trail is an adventure. At the state parks, you have the beach, movie night, ranger-led walks, etc.

Here are my favorite parks along the coast, from LA to SF.

Carpinteria State Beach: My all-time favorite. Close enough to town to walk and get a burger at the Spot (a local hangout), but far enough away from the big city to feel like you are getting away. Lots of little shops and stores. Kids like Robitailles (ROBE-it-ties)candy store, my wife likes the Coffee Grinder next door. Everyone loves the beach there.

El Capitan State Beach, Refugio State Beach: A little further up the coast, away from any city. Also very popular.

San Simeon State Park: Close to San Luis Obispo, just a couple of miles from Hearst Castle. It is just across the highway from the beach. Beautiful coastline here.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns and Pfeiffer Big Sure state Parks: In the beautiful Big Sur area, surrounded by redwoods.

North of Monterey, try Henry Cowell Redwoods SP, Big Basin Redwoods SP (plenty of hiking), and Half Moon Bay SB. At Half Moon Bay, you can rent a horse to ride along the beach while you play the song by America, "A Horse with No Name".

Some of these campgrounds book early, so be prepared to find alternat sites.

Have fun,

Steve