Can't resist the challenge of wildlife? Does summer seem too far away to await the beautiful outdoors? Many people think of camping as a summer activity, but for many of us we simply cannot wait for about six months before returning to the open. Fortunately, there are many amazing places in California where you can camp during the winter months. Winter camping is usually cheaper and less crowded than camping in summer, and you can also experience California in a completely different way.
California has blessed us outdoor lovers with a variety of landscapes and climates to experience. And while the high sierras are covered with snow, the Mojave Desert and the Pacific Coast force holidaymakers to come and experience their winter beauty. The beach is usually the best place to get out of the cold inland winters due to the moderate temperatures experienced throughout the year. Of course, for real adventurers, there are also opportunities for snow camping at higher heights, so why not sleep with a ski trip on a camping trip? Regardless of where you choose, these places are absolutely beautiful, but few have experienced this beauty in winter. They encourage you to visit!
Angel Island - Northern California / San Francisco Bay Area
Being a resident of the Gulf, I love Angel Island very much ... when it’s not crowded. This is a quick trip to any area of Sacramento Bay, and it has absolutely breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay, including the San Francisco Skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge and views of Tiburon and Sausalito. Rain and thick fog are common during the winter period of the bay, but relative to the rest of Northern California, the temperature is fairly mild. The past five years have had very dry winters in the Gulf due to the terrible drought we are experiencing, but this year El Nino has already scattered rain throughout the state, so expect wet weather if you choose Visit Angel Island this winter. From December to March, daytime high temperatures average 56-61 degrees Fahrenheit and night minimums average 41-45 degrees Fahrenheit, so the difference between night and day is not really too big. The eastern side of the island is better protected from ocean breezes, but the western side gives a front view of the amazing sunsets under the Golden Gate Bridge. East Bay and Sunrise Sites are located on the eastern side of the island near Fort McDowell. Ridge sites and a kayak camp are located on the west side of the island near Reynolds camp. For more campsite information, view the brochure and park map from the park website. Please note that some information is outdated, but most are still relevant.
Getting to Angel Island is half the fun of a trip. Public ferries run from Tiburon through the Angel Island Ferry and from Pier 41 and the San Francisco Ferry Building through the Blue and Gold fleets. Adult tickets cost $ 15 from Tiburon and $ 9 from San Francisco. These rates include the park entrance fee. Please note that during the winter months these ferries only work on weekends, so the earliest you can get to the island is Saturday morning, and the last thing you can stay is Sunday evening and you do not plan to stay on whole week. But there are other options! You can use your own private boat or borrow friends. Or, if you love me and do not own a boat, you can rent a private boat or take a Tideline Water Taxi taxi. Tideline is a great option, it is quite expensive, but it is still cheaper than chartering a boat and provides the most personalized schedule and service, so you will not be limited to ferry schedules.
Big Sur - Central Coast
Big Sur on the Central Coast of California is an absolute gem. It embodies the beauty of California, which offers a quiet coast of the Pacific Ocean. From hundreds of feet of red trees, backyard paths and miles of beaches, Big Sur has it all. And due to its abundance of ocean, it remains reliably averaged in winter with average high temperatures from December to March in the range of 60 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low temperature of about 43 degrees Fahrenheit. As always, in the winter you have to be prepared for rain, heavy fog and ocean winds. Big Sur is very busy in the summer months, but in the winter the crowds are gone, leaving you with empty paths and beaches to explore.
Perhaps the most amazing part of the Big Sur winter campground is the opportunity to watch the majestic gray whales migrate between Alaska and Baja California. In December, from the beginning of February, you can see the whales migrating southward, and from February you can see them migrating northward with their newborn calves. It is truly an opportunity to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat once in a lifetime.
Big Sur has a lot of campsites that can be found here. For those of you who are looking for a bit warmer and more comfortable, I would suggest one of the campgrounds with cabins, such as Big Sur camping and cabins or Riverside camping. Both of these campsites also offer many tents and RV sites in addition to their cabin accommodations. Another recommendation for tents and campgrounds RV - camping Kirk Creek. Kirk Creek is a beautiful campsite located on a huge bluff overlooking the ocean. Because of its open space, unbearably strong winds and moisture, so be prepared for this if you decide to stay there.
Lake Tahoe - Northern California / Sierra Nevada Mountains
For those who want to truly experience the winter, you can enjoy the snowfall on the shores of Lake Tahoe. During the summer months, Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular camping sites in the world. During the winter months it is one of the most popular places for skiing in the world. Basically, Lake Tahoe is amazing, and everyone wants to go there, no matter what month it is.
Sugar Pine Point State Park on the western shore of Lake Tahoe offers the best of both worlds. The camp is one of the only campgrounds in the region that is open during the winter months for snow camping, and is conveniently located just minutes from some of the best ski resorts in the world. The Homewood Resort (8 minutes), Squaw Valley Resort and Alpine Meadows (32 minutes), Heavenly Mountain Resort (45 minutes) and Northstar California Resort (50 minutes) are within walking distance of the hotel. Sugar Pine campground is also an excellent choice for those who travel in the snow for the first time, as it is close to the beaten track, so any services are available nearby.
Sugar Pine Point State Park also offers some of the best cross-country ski runs and snowshoes offered by the Lake Tahoe area, all with easy access from the campsite. In fact, it was these paths that were used for biathlon and cross-country skiing at the 1960 Winter Olympic Games in the Squaw Valley.
And if you still don’t get to the tent camping in the snow, you always have the opportunity to find amazing local cabins to stay. Airbnb is your best bet for booking one of them.
Mt San Jacinto State Park - Southern California / San Jacinto Mountains
Snow camping is also easily available in Southern California in the beautiful mountains. San Jacinto State Park. Idyll Park offers year round camping. Camping tents and RVs are welcome based on first intake / first serve from November to March. The campground is less than three hours from Los Angeles and San Diego, making it a great option for those looking for a weekend break from city life. Snowshoes and sleds are very popular in the park during the winter months.
There are many opportunities in the State Park. Including visits to various parts of the National Monument of Santa Rosa and San Jacinto or a hike to a part of the Pacific Trail You can even spend the day at the world famous Palm Springs Island Tramway, which takes you from Chino Canyon, not far from Palma, which reaches 6,000 feet to the hill station.
Death Valley National Park - Southern California / Mojave Desert
Death Valley is pretty amazing. On July 12, 2012, Cave Creek in Death Valley National Park broke the heat record when the low temperature was 103 degrees Fahrenheit, tying the world record to the lowest temperature in a day. Then on July 10, 2013, Creek Creek broke another record with a high temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit (!!!), breaking the US record set in 1913. Needless to say, with these warm temperatures in the winter months, in fact, Death Valley is very pleasant in winter. The average high rates from December to March ranged from 67 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit with average lows from 38 to 53 degrees Fahrenheit.
Since the Death Valley is in the middle of the desert, it is unbearable to large fluctuations in temperature, with a decrease in nighttime minima below zero. Here winter camping is basically different from winter beach camping. In the desert, temperatures can swing dramatically from day to night, while temperatures near the ocean remain reliably stable.
The campground and RV campsite can be purchased at Creek RV Park and at Fiddler Camping for $ 18 per night or at Mesquite Spring for $ 12 per night. Both campgrounds have RV discharge stations and flush toilets. For campgrounds, you can stay at the expat campsites or Wildrose. (note: Wildrose accepts any vehicles under 25 feet, Expat - tent camping)
Joshua Tree National Park - Southern California / Mojave Desert
Another great place to rest in a desert in Southern California is Joshua Tree National Park. The park is easily accessible, it is only 2.5-3.5 hours from Los Angeles (depending on the movement, of course). Like the Death Valley, Joshua Tree is located in the middle of the desert, so it can be hot during the summer months and very pleasant in winter. With average high temperatures from January to March, ranged from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and average low temperatures from 35 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit. A list of all the campgrounds in Joshua Three National Park can be viewed here. For the campground in the north of the park, I offer the Jumbo Rocks Campground, which costs $ 15 per night, and this is a first-class service. There is no water and only pit-toilets in the Jumbo Rocks campground, so be sure to get ready. For those who are looking for camping in the southern part of the park, I offer Cottonwood camp for $ 20 per night, which has a dump, water and flash toilets.
By now you realize that camping in California is both a summer and a winter activity. There are many amazing places to escape in the winter, even if there is snow on the ground. Take advantage of cheaper fees, beach reservation times and unguarded campsites as long as you can until winter. Camping in California never takes a break for the seasons!
Now it's time to go out and experience what winter campsite in California has to offer! Stay alone, stay safe and stay in a campsite in California!
