The Northern California Camper. Daniel C. Merrill

1 707 875 3483

      Camp host- yes

      Facilities- Each campsite has a picnic table, food cupboard and fire ring with grill. The Campground has restrooms with flush toilets and coin operated showers; it also has a dump station.

      This campground is located on the east edge of a series of large sand dunes; thus, the campground is a fair distance from the ocean. Many of the campsites are in the open and literally, in the sand. However, a number of the campsites, such as #45, have been situated under the large cypress trees that populate the area. These campsites, which are shielded from the sun and wind, offer a great deal of privacy and are very desirable.

      The sand dunes face miles of beach for walking and horseback riding. Party boats are available in Bodega Bay for salmon fishing, in season, and rock fishing all year long.

      Because of its close proximity to the Bay Area, this is a very popular campground. Thus, reservations are a must for the summer months and for weekends all year long.

      Positives- close to ocean, some very nice campsites

      Negatives- very crowded much of the year

      How to get there- The campground is one mile north of Bodega Bay on Highway 1.

      Local Attractions- Bodega Bay, multiple beautiful beaches to the immediate north

      Activities- party boating for salmon and rockfish, horseback riding, hiking along the beach 32

      4 Wright’s Beach

      Rating- 10/10

      Camp sites- 30, no hookups, RVs to 27 feet, open all year

      Water- yes

      Garbage disposal- yes

      Reservations- yes 1-800 444- 7275 or www.parks.ca.gov.

      Contact- California State Parks 1 707 875 3483

      Camp host- yes

      Facilities- Each Campsite has a picnic table, food cupboard and fire ring with grill. The restrooms have flush toilets and are wheelchair accessible.

      This is a very popular campground and, at $45 a night, it is the most expensive in the area. About half of the campsites, the $45 a night ones, are situated so that you back your rig right up to the edge of the beach. Although these campsites are arranged in a parallel fashion within a few yards of each other, they provide more privacy than you would think because of the unique way the shrubbery has been planted between the campsites. In any case, these campsites are much prized by RVers and nearly always are occupied. Therefore, if you want to be right on the beach in this campground, you must make a reservation well in advance of your visit.

      On the other hand, the campsites that are not on the beach (the $25 ones) are still pretty nice and one or more of them are likely to be available in the off season and during week days in the winter months.

      This extensive beach is great for hiking and one can fish from the shore for perch in the summer. Party boats for salmon in the spring and rockfish all year long are available in Bodega Bay.

      Positives- Campsites right on the beach

      Negatives- the campsites are close together

      How to get there- The campground is six miles north of Bodega Bay on Highway 1

      Local Attractions- Bodega Bay, multiple beautiful beaches (Goat Rock is especially nice) and rocky coves in the immediate area

      Activities- fishing, hiking, whale watching 34

      5 Fort Ross State Historic Park: Reef Campground

      Rating- 3/10

      Campsites- 20, no hookups, RVs to 18 feet, open March to November

      Water- yes

      Garbage disposal- yes

      Reservations- no

      Contact- California department of Parks 1 707 875 3483

      Camp host- no

      Facilities- each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring with grill. The restrooms have vault toilets.

      This campground is located in a narrow canyon of small redwood trees. The campground road is very narrow, unpaved and, in the summer, dusty. Most of the campsites are closely spaced and not very attractive, in large part because they are so close to the road. Of the campsites #9, with its split redwood fence is the nicest.

      The only attraction of this Reef Campground is beautiful Ross cove, which is about a quarter of a mile below the campground. The cove is very sheltered from the ocean and is a favorite place for snorkeling and abalone diving.

      Positives- close to beautiful Ross cove

      Negatives- closely spaced, most of the campsites are unattractive

      How to get there- The campground is about three miles south of Fort Ross. It is about 20 miles, and 45 minutes driving time north of Bodega Bay.

      Local Attractions- Ross Cove, Fort Ross

      Activities- snorkeling, diving for abalone

      Hint- Unless you are an abalone diver, skip this one!

      6 Stillwater Cove Regional Park

      Rating- 8/10

      Campsites- 23, no hookups, RVs to 35 feet, open all year

      Water- yes

      Garbage disposal- yes

      Reservations- yes [phone]

      Contact- Sonoma County Regional Parks [phone]

      Camp host- yes

      Facilities- Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring with grill. The restrooms are wheelchair accessible and have flush toilets and coin operated showers. The campground has a telephone, dump station and a boat launch. The campground is located in a grove of long needle pine trees above and to the east of Highway 1 and the Pacific Ocean. Most of the paved parking spaces are reasonably private and quite attractive.

      The Stockoff Creek trail leads to beautiful Stillwater Cove. This maybe the most beautiful small cove on the Pacific Coast; in any case, it is prized by snorkelers and abalone divers because it is so sheltered from the ocean currents. The cove and beach are likely to be crowded in the summer and on weekends since it is a relatively short drive from the Bay Area. On weekdays during the winter and spring the campground and cove are nearly empty. The campground also has a trail leading to a nearby canyon and a half mile trail leading to the historic Fort Ross Schoolhouse.

      Because this cove is so popular, its population of abalone is not large and one has to dive pretty deep to get them. In this respect, a divers chance of finding a legal sized abalone are better at Fort Ross Cove three miles to the south and at The Russian Gulch State Park one mile north of Mendocino.

      Positives- well maintained attractive campsites, near beautiful Stillwater