California

After parking at Shelter Cove and securing a camping permit ($3 per night in the backcountry) follow the bear prints down the coastline for 5 miles, keeping in mind that the tide devours the beach every 12 hours. Parts of the beach become impassable at high tide. Camp overnight at Buck Creek, th...

El Capitan Canyon is a gorgeous collection of permanent tents, yurts and cabins located across the highway from El Capitan State Beach and its campground. It's also the perfect place to ease your friends or loved ones into the world of camping. We all have that special person in our life who we'...

Natural Bridges is off of West Cliff Drive to the north of popular Santa Cruz break, Steamer Lane. The break is a right point break, which breaks on a rocky shelf and reef. The break is best during sizable swells (NW, SW, and West) and a low tide. Be sure to check the wind, this break gets blown ...

From San Diego, head South on Hwy 5 for 12 miles. Take a right on exit 5A for Palm Ave/CA-75. Take CA-75 west for 1.6 miles. Stay on Palm Ave as it splits from CA-75. Take Palm Ave for 1 mile until it reaches the coast. Turn left on Seacoast Dr and take it for 1 mile until you reach the Imperial ...

San Simeon has two campgrounds to choose from – San Simeon Creek Campground has 115 campsites for tent or RV camping. Sites have fire rings and picnic tables, and nearby there is firewood for sale. Your other choice is the primitive Washburn Campground, located 1 mile inland. From this plateau, y...

Entrance to the parking lot is $10 per car, and once you get in be sure to use the restroom before you head for the trail, since you will likely spend a good amount of time out there.Look for the sign that says Creamery Meadow Trail. You'll know it's right when the very first thing you'll need to...

Northern California beaches are not your typical soft sand, warm water, grab a surf board type of spots. Of course when the weather is cooperating you can enjoy those activities as well! What makes this spot so special is how few people ever come and enjoy the raw beauty of this landscape. If you...

Seal Beach is a small beach community between Long Beach and Huntington Beach. Right off PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), this sandy beach is a great place to chill on a hot summer day. The high winds coming off the water makes it an ideal place to kite board, surf, or simply fly a kite along the sho...

Ocean Beach Dog Beach is considered "The Original Dog Beach" and one of the first leash-free dog beaches in the U.S., according to city's website.  There's something really magical about being at a beach during sunset, and even up to an hour after sunset can still cast beautiful light on the wat...

This campground is defined by the scenery: rugged headlands, craggy coastlines, natural arches, and quiet coves.Wright's Beach Campground features primitive camping - basic tent sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and amazing ocean views. This is a great location for Bay Area campers who want t...

South Carlsbad Campground is a picturesque experience. Imagine gorgeous sea cliffs overlooking a lovely beach, with ample activities to pursue (or just lay in the sun and enjoy some quiet time). The most popular campsites, 1-70 and 156-222, are perched on the edge of a bluff and feature the best ...

Brooks Street Beach is just a couple of blocks off the Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. Parking can be tricky, so be forewarned that you may need to walked a few blocks.  Winter can be good, but during the summer and big south swells are when you want to go surfing, so be sure to check out ...

This Capitola camping spot is the place to be if you're looking to do a variety of activities in a variety of landscapes. You can swim, fish, or explore the nearby forest of Monterey Pine and coastal Oak. In the evening, walk into Capitola for live music and great fish tacos.  The S.S. Palo Alto,...

One of the best parts of Monterey is the beaches – but their popularity is also their weakness, so if you want seclusion head to the lesser-known Fort Ord Dunes for solitude and beautiful views of Monterey Bay and the Pacific Coast. Historically, this location was chosen as the location for Fort ...

There are two HUGE parking lots off of PCH, so parking isn't an issue (unless it's on a weekend in the summer, then it does get full). This is a paid lot with a few pay stations located around the parking lot, and they take cash and credit/ debit card...you can pay by the hour. Once you find your...

A cobblestone rocks cover a crescent shaped bay and a creek mouth spreads sand perfectly along the bay after a winter rain. Not to mention the indicator that refracts waves into the inside cove. It's no wonder famous surfers, such as Kelly Slater, Bobby Martinez, Tom Curren, Connor and Parker Cof...