Winter Camping in California

You can not resist the call of nature? Summer does not seem to expect too far to hit the great outdoors? Many people think of camping as a summer activity, but for many of us that we can not expect half of the year before returning to the public square. Fortunately, California has many fantastic places to camp during the winter months. Winter camping is usually cheaper and less crowded than the camping in the summer and you also get the experience of California in a very different way.

California has blessed us to live outdoor enthusiasts with a variety of different landscapes and climates. And while the high mountain ranges are covered with snow, the Mojave Desert and get Pacific Coast RV advice and experience from their winter beauty. The beach is usually the best place to go to escape the cold winters in the interior, thanks to the mild temperatures experienced throughout the year. Of course, for the truly adventurous, there are also opportunities for camping snow in the higher elevations, so why not pair a ski trip with a camping trip? No matter where you choose, these places are nothing short of amazing, very few people have seen this beauty in winter. They call for you to come visit!

Angel Island - Northern California / San Francisco Bay Area

As a Bay Area resident, I am very attached to Angel Island ... if it was not packed with people. It is a quick trip to everyone in the area Bay Area Sacramento and has an absolutely spectacular view of the bay of San Francisco, including the Skyline of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge and giving Tiburon Sausalito. Rain and dense fog are common in the area in the winter window, but temperatures are pleasantly mild compared to the rest of Northern California. The last five years have been very dry winters in the bay, with the terrible drought we saw the experience, but this El Nino year has already poured rain throughout the country, so expect wet weather if you choose Angel Island to visit this winter. From December to March daytime high temperatures average 56-61 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime lows average 41-45 degrees Fahrenheit, so there's really not much difference between day and night. The east side of the island is better protected from the sea breeze, but the western side gives a view of the first row of magnificent sunsets under the Golden Gate Bridge. East Bay locations and sites Sunrise are located on the eastern coast of the island, near Fort McDowell. Sites and Kayak Ridge Camp is located on the west side of the island near Camp Reynolds. For more information on the camp brochure here and park map from the park website. Note that some of the information is outdated, but most of it is still relevant.

Getting to Angel Island is half the fun of travel. Ferries from Tiburon Ferry across the island and Angel Pier 41 and the Ferry Building in San Francisco via the blue and gold fleet. Adult tickets are $ 15 $ 9 Tiburon and San Francisco. These rates are the entrance of the park as well. Note that these ferries operate only during the winter months on the weekends, so the sooner you can get to Saturday morning of the island and the last you can stay on Sunday afternoon, unless you plan to stay all week. But there are other options! You can use your own boat or borrow from a friend. Or if you're like me and do not own a boat, you can rent a private boat or take Tideline Water Taxi. Tideline is a good option, it is quite expensive, but it is still cheaper than renting a boat offering the most personal calendar and service, so you will not be limited by time.

Big Sur - Central Coast

Big Sur on California's Central Coast is a gem. He embodies the beauty of California wild Pacific coast has to offer. Hundred feet sequoia, nature trails and miles of beaches, Big Sur has everything. And thanks to the proximity of the ocean remains relatively mild in winter, with high average temperatures from December to March, from 60-63 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low temperature around 43 degrees Fahrenheit. As always, in winter, you should be prepared for rain, heavy fog and ocean breezes. Big Sur is very busy during the summer months, but dispersed the crowd in winter, allowing you to explore with miles of deserted beaches and trails.

Perhaps the most amazing part about winter camping in Big Sur is an opportunity to watch the majestic gray whales migrate between Alaska and Baja California. December to early February to see pull whales to the south, and began in February, you see them migrate north with their newborn calves. It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Big Sur has many campsites that you can find here. To those I would of you looking for a little more warmth and comfort represent a campground with cabins, like the houses Big Sur campgrounds or Riverside Campground. Both sites offer excellent tents and RV sites in addition to their cabin accommodation. Another recommendation for tent and RV camping is Kirk Creek Campground. Kirk Creek is a beautiful site located on a huge cliff overlooking the ocean. Due to the open position is capable of strong wind and moisture to prepare for that if you choose to stay.

Lake Tahoe - Northern California / Sierra Nevada

For those who really want to experience the winter, when snow camping on the shores of Lake Tahoe is right for you. During the summer months, Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular camping destinations in the world. During the winter months, it is one of the most popular ski destinations in the world. Basically, Lake Tahoe is big and everyone wants, no matter what month it is.

Sugar Pine Point State Park on the west shore of Lake Tahoe offers the best of both worlds. The camp is one of the few campsites in the open area during the winter months for snow camping, and it is ideally located just minutes from some of the largest ski resorts in the world. Homewood Resort (8 min), Squaw Valley Resort and Alpine Meadows (32 minutes), Heavenly Mountain Resort (45 minutes) and Northstar California Resort (50 minutes) all within an hour's drive from the campsite. Site Sugar Pine is also a good choice for first snow campers because it is off the beaten track, so every available nearby.

Sugar Pine Point State Park also offers some of the best backgrounds and snowshoeing skiing to offer the Lake Tahoe area, all with easy access from the campsite. In fact, it is these roads that were used for biathlon and cross-country skiing events at the Winter Olympics in 1960 in Squaw Valley.

And if you're still not on the camping tent in the snow, you always have the option to find some great local huts. Airbnb is your best bet to book one of these.

Mt. San Jacinto State Park - Southern California / San Jacinto Mountains

Camping Snow is also easily accessible in Southern California in the beautiful State Park Mt. San Jacinto. Idyllwild Park offers camping all year. Camping Tents and RVs are welcome on a first come / first serve basis from November to March. The campground is located less than three hours from Los Angeles and San Diego, making it a great option for those looking for a weekend away from city life. Snowshoeing and sledding are popular activities in the park during the winter months.

There is much to do in and around the State Park. Including a visit to different parts of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument or walk part of the Pacific Crest Trail. You can even an afternoon ride the famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, you Chino Canyon near Palm Springs, an increase of nearly 6,000 feet to the resort's summit.

Death Valley National Park - Southern California / Mojave Desert

Death Valley is amazing. The 12 July 2012 Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park hit a record heat when the low temperature was 103 degrees Fahrenheit, equaling the world record for the highest temperature low in a day. Then on July 10, 2013 Furnace Creek broke another record high temperature heat of 134 degrees Fahrenheit (!!!), breaking the US state earlier in 1913. Needless to say, you will not face this infernal temperature during the winter months, in fact, Death Valley is downright pleasant in winter. high average time from December to March range 67-81 degrees fahrenheit below average from 38-53 degrees Fahrenheit.

From Death Valley is in the desert is subject to large fluctuations in the temperature dropped below zero with night minimum. This is where winter camping generally differs from the winter. In the desert, temperatures can fluctuate from day to night, as temperatures remain relatively stable near the ocean.

Tent and RV camping is available at Furnace Creek RV Park and Campground Fiddler $ 18 / night or in Mesquite Spring for $ 12 per night. Both campgrounds are RV dump stations and toilets. Tent campers can stay in Emigrant or Wildrose campgrounds. (Note: Wildrose accepts all vehicles under 25 feet tent of Emigrant only)

Joshua Tree National Park - Southern California / Mojave Desert

Another destination of wild camping in Joshua Tree National Park Southern California. The park is easily accessible, located only about 2.5 to 3.5 hours from Los Angeles (depending on traffic of course). Like Death Valley, Joshua Tree is located in the desert, so it can be blistering hot during the summer months, it is very pleasant in winter. With high average temperatures from January to March, ranging from 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low temperature of 35-42 degrees Fahrenheit. For a list of all campsites in Joshua Tree National Park look here. A campsite in the northern part of the park, I propose Jumbo Rocks Campground, it costs $ 15 / night first come / first served basis. There is no water and only dry toilets at Jumbo Rocks Campground, so make sure you come prepared. For those looking for a campsite in the southern part of the park, I suggest Cottonwood Campground for $ 20 / night, which has a dump station, water and toilets.

Now you understand that camping in California is both a summer and winter activities. There are many great places to escape the winter, even if there is snow on the ground. Enjoy cheaper rates, shorter time reservation and uncrowded campgrounds, while you can before the end of winter. Camping in California never takes a break for the season!

Now it's time to get out and experience what winter camping in California has to offer! stay warm, stay safe and stay camping in California!