Sometimes, we all just need to get away for a bit--there are many ways this can be accomplished. Although car camping has never been a personal favorite, it has always been successful at providing a much needed break from the dull-drums of day to day business and the ever piercing ho-hum of the city.
California is blessed with many state parks, most of which offer multiple camping spots, scenic views, and more importantly the peace of sleeping under the stars well away from the majority of the weeks daunting duties. The drive-up-and-park camping spots offer accessibility, whilst the washrooms and restrooms well within walking distance provide a level of civilization that even your teenage texting princess can "like totally stand."
Tip #1: When picking a camping site – try to find one that isn’t located next to the following groups: Large families (crying babies included), troop outing (Really? Laser flashlights again?) and finally hippies.
If you live anywhere near or around the Bay Area, firstly you have my condolences, secondly, you are well within a two-hour drive to MANY cheap weekend get-a-way camping locations.
One such location that I had the pleasure of planting my butt in is "Sugarloaf Ridge State Park," located just North of Sonoma and just East of Santa Rosa. With plenty of camping spots to choose from and plenty of hiking/biking/horse trails surrounding the area, even the most avid outdoorsy-type can enjoy this spot. The campground is peacefully nestled in between two ridge lines. With the proximity of the Bay, this means you'll never freeze to death here in your K-mart blue light special sleeping bag. All of the drive in camp spots are situated on the outside of a figure eight and are fairly well spaced out, ensuring somewhat affordable peace from your neighbors.
Tip #2: If you cannot find a location where you won't have neighbors, look for the one with the old people next to it. Chances are these couples are professional campers. They've been doing it for the last 92 years and have a bedtime just north of eight pm. Also, they most likely won't complain of talking, farting or the gut busting purging of all the alcohol that was consumed earlier that day.
Which, brings me to my second point. Sugarloaf Ridge is located in beautiful Napa County and only about five miles away from Kunde Family Estate. Don't let the name fool you though, the moment you walk into the tasting room your smacked in the face with a smorgasbord board white shirt wearing, monotone wine note delivering sales folks. There isn't much of anything "family" about this establishment. They do however have decent wine at semi-decent prices and when you’re in Napa county that is all that really matters. So pick up a bottle or three and head back to the campsite for a night of respite.
I do have to mention that – while Napa County is known for its wineries, I much prefer Sonoma County for a wine experience! Expect to see a less-snobby less-self-indulgent write up on Sonoma County in the near future!
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=481
Kunde Estate http://www.kunde.com/
2 comments:
Great article, however, Sugarloaf Ridge is in Sonoma County, not Napa.
We didn't hang out for the camping, but our daytrip hiking at Sugarloaf Ridge was great. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is one of the finest hiking & camping places in the area.
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