Northern California Travel Recommendations

[Rustic Eagle]

Starting to pull together info for a 2019 August/September west coast trip.

My present routing through Northern California will be US-97 south out of Utah joining up with I-5 south, exit at SR-99 to SR-70 southeast, then SR-20 east to I-80 east to Reno........, but considering possible route deviations along the way for "must see" locations.

Would appreciate any recommended Northern California "must see" locations..., and National, State, or private Campground recommendations along the way. I anticipate some boondocking and some camping w/hook-ups along the way.

I started my Northern California "must see" list with the Grass Valley area and Donner Pass/Lake.

I've also created a couple separate JOF threads for other States that I will be traveling through.

Thanks in advance.

Bob

[Midnightmoon]

American River Resort in Coloma is beautiful. Right on the banks of the American River and not to far from Sutters's Mill and the gold discovery area. Highly recommended area to visit in CA if you have the time.

I also really love Lake Tahoe. I don't think I would recommend RT. 50 towing necessarily from Sacramento to or from Tahoe. But you could always set up camp in the American River Resort or at the KOA in Placerville/El Dorado Hills and make a day trip out of it. I just love that area. (I'm hoping to be there again in June if all goes well in fact)

[Midnightmoon]

I'll also add that if you are in the area for a few days, Old Sacramento and historic downtown Folsom are very nice.

[Midnightmoon]

Historic Folsom

[Midnightmoon]

Lake Tahoe from the CA side

[Tommyjay]

A must see kind of out of the way is Lassen Volcanic Natl Park. I dont think the fires got over that way.

[Rustic Eagle]

I appreciate all the responses thus far and plan to locate each recommendation as they are posted on my California map.

Once I have a good representation of "must see" and camping locations along my proposed route through California, then I can re-visit my travel routing.

I'm sure I'll have some follow-up questions as I pull together your recommendations.

Bob

[bono]

Fallen Leaf Lake campground is my favorite in CA so far. But I just love Tahoe area.

[jtrhodes99]

Stay north of Sacramento in Crowdedfornia. Lava Bed, Lassen, Crater Lake Natl parks. Yosemite if you've haven been. For coastal hit Bodega Dunes. Of course, check for fires and flooding if it rains. Fuel and private campgrounds will cost more. In crowded areas, set up and use your TV. Beware of compact car parking spaces. They are what they mean. Stay of major roads during commute time. plenty to enjoy; just takes more time and patience.

[dkos]

Last summer we (wife kids, 7 and 9, and myself) stayed at Klamath River RV park. Park was nice, right on the river. We had one of my favorite hiking days on the Miners ridge James Irvine loop. We hiked 15+ miles through redwoods, on the beach, fern canyon and back. Highlight of a trip that included Yellowstone.

[1carguy]

There are so many great places to see in northern CA but you've got to plan ahead. Many are booked up 6 months in advance. The Sierra-Nevada mountains offer some of the most scenic places on the west coast. Some of our favorite places are in the Gold Country foothills, Stanislaus National forest, Kennedy Meadows area, and anywhere that has lakefront campgrounds. Farther west the northern Ca coast is loaded with great places but are always crowded at that time of the year. From Santa Cruz and north along the coast are great if you can get in, all the way up to the Oregon coastline. Farther north is the Shasta lake region with lots of great RV attractions.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

snip.....My present routing through Northern California will be US-97 south out of Utah......snip

Reads: "US-97 south out of Utah...."

Should Read: "US-97 south out of Oregon......"

Bob

[Flyrotor]

Right now you will “need a bigger boat”!

[Duke4857]

I did not see Lava Beds National Monument in the list that you were told about. It would be in very North central CA. TuleLake CA. Captain Jacks stronghold and the lava caves are great.


https://www.nps.gov/labe/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by Duke4857

I did not see Lava Beds National Monument in the list that you were told about. It would be in very North central CA. TuleLake CA. Captain Jacks stronghold and the lava caves are great.


https://www.nps.gov/labe/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

I would second Lava Beds National Monument. It's about an hour south of Klamath Falls on OR-39. It's been a few years since we were there but lots to see. If you can make the .7m uphill trail to the top of Schonchin Butte there is a fire lookout station and the 360 degree view is spectacular. Lassen Volcanic National Monument is another 2.5 hours south from Lava Beds and is also worth a visit.

[Bandit12]

One of our favorite camping spots is at Lake Davis, near Portola. We have camped at Lightning Tree and Grasshopper. We prefer Grasshopper, the sites seems to be larger. No hook ups, water is available but no hose hook up. Grasshopper has flush toilets in the restrooms and coin operated showers at the Honker Cove boat launch. There is a dump station on the way out, $5 fee to dump. Bucks Lake, near Quincy, also has some nice camping areas. I will warn you, if you get anywhere near Quincy during the week of July 4th, camping at any local campground will be at a premium due to the High Sierra Music Festival.A huge local attraction, we generally refer to it as "hippie fest". Music from the festival can be heard around most of the town. Lassen park has a campground and is in a nice location. It is worth the trip up there. Out along the coast, there are several state parks along Hwy 101, any are worth visiting. Enjoy your trip, if you happen to get into Portola to stay at Lake Davis, stop in at the local Napa Auto Parts and say hi, ask for Ray.