Five Amazing California Camping Trips
Over the past year I have had a lot of time to explore California and HipCamp is one of my go-to websites for finding really unique off the backcountry camping, car camping and Glamping experiences that are not listed anywhere else. Right now (valid July 1, 2022 - July 31, 2022) REI and HipCamp are partnering up to give all REI members $30 off of any HipCamp stay booked - click here for all of the details.
And if you aren’t already an REI Member - you can join and learn about all of the perks here. A lifetime membership is only $30 USD - my three favourite benefits are:
10% off on all eligible purchases - your first down jacket will pay off your membership cost and after that its just bonus REI gift cards every March!
Early access to curated products and limited-edition gear - like my current go-to daypack that I bought months before it was widely available.
Discounts on rentals, repairs and experiences.
Plus members-only limited time partner benefits, like this $30 HipCamp credit are immediately available.
Five Must-Experience HipCamps
And if you are looking for a few ideas to kickstart your summer camping plans here are five unique experiences that I found on HipCamp this year (that still have availability this summer) and scroll down for how I pack and organize all of my gear when heading out Glamping and Car Camping off the grid.
If you are new to HipCamp you can also use the link below to save $10 on your first booking (full disclosure: using this will also give me $10 for my next booking - win win)
Blue Sky Center Glamping
One. A low key weekend stargazing at the BlueSky Center, New Cuyama
I first saw these canvas covered wagons on social media after Caley Vanular and Christian Schaffer visited them in 2018 - the thought of them lingered in the back of my head until one day, when looking for a way for Mitch and I to celebrate American Thanksgiving in a very “us” way - I stumbled upon them on HipCamp. They are located in the high desert in the small town of New Cuyama just a few hours from Los Angeles and five from San Francisco (seven if you take the coastal route, like we tend to opt for). Fitted with a small shared kitchen, a large outdoor long table, fire pits for nightly marshmallow roasts, indoor heated washrooms and (hot) showers - these wagons each have a small heater and sleep two - plus a dog if you are lucky enough to have one.
If you check out Blue Sky Center I would also recommend swinging by Cuyama Buckhorn the local hotel - they have an incredible restaurant and if you have extra nights and want a more traditional stay they have an incredible outdoor swimming pool for guests.
Running Springs Ranch Glamping
Two. Running Springs Ranch
A beautiful 2.5h drive north of San Francisco; Running Springs ranch is located high in the hills between Ukiah and Mendocino and it is nothing short of paradise. Alan and Steffny warmly greeted us upon arrival with their two dogs and one self-adopted cat, Ranger. I can not do justice to how special this space is - we woke up each morning for sunrise, made coffee on the balcony of our tent and then wandered a few dozen feet away to the fields of lavender, a scent that encompasses the entirety of the property, to watch the surrounding hills turn a golden hue to the soundtrack of the busy bees pollinating. There are only two tents on the entirety of the property and, aside from a quick hello when both parking, we did not see or hear one another the entire weekend however (when the fire ban is not in effect) there is a shared fire pit and plenty of space if you were looking for a double date weekend. This property, and its owners, are truly a hidden gem and I can not more strongly recommend planning a visit.
Enchanted Forest Retreat, Front-Country Camping, Car Camping
Three. A girls car camping trip to Enchanted Forest Retreat, Santa Cruz
When my best friend Kelsey came into town to visit I knew I wanted to take her car camping with me and hopped on HipCamp to find this gem. They have several camping spots (although I do think number one is both the most secluded and photogenic - we did a post dinner scouting mission) suitable for cars, tents and even small trailers. This was veering more into the roughing it side, a 25 minute drive from Santa Cruz up winding hilly roads with very limited phone service this is a great place to escape. We made tacos and drank palomas until well into the night. On our way back from brushing our teeth we passed another camp site and made friends with a handful of fellow campers from France camping in an old VW Westfalia. If you are with a group some of the higher numbers are closer together and would make for a more communal camping experience.
Four. Bike-packing on Angel Island State Park, San Francisco
One of my favourite things about HipCamp is that even the camp sites that are not directly bookable via their website they will show in their search results. And that is exactly how I found Angel Island! It was also my first time bike packing, my friend Shannon (check out her website - she is an incredible Bay Area photographer) and I chose one of the shortest days of the year and a last minute cancellation and packed our backpacks, headed on the ferry to Angel Island and spent the night looking out over the city I (sometimes) call home. We stayed at ridge site number 4 facing the city - if there was any wind it would be the most exposed but as we had a perfectly calm night it was one of my favourite camping views - so close to the city yet a ferry ride away. Another bonus of HipCamp is that there tend to be a lot of very well labeled images which allowed us to make sure that we picked the best camp site!
And if bike packing is in your future - I learned the hard way so that you don’t have to that panniers are the way to go - I ordered this set from REI as soon as I got home from this trip.
Joshua Tree National Park, FRONT-COUNTRY camping
Five. Try van life in Joshua Tree National Park
Not only are State Parks listed on the HipCamp search and map functions but National Parks and National Forests too - essentially all public campgrounds that are available for bookings will show up on HipCamp with photos, descriptions, suggested activities to do and a direct link to book them. It is how I have found some of my favourite camping sites in Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite National Park, Big Sur and Inyo National Forest in California and bookmarked many more out of state and country for my to-see list.
And if Joshua Tree National Park (and this view of Indian Cove Campground) is on your list - check out my Joshua Tree National Park Blog for a few ideas to kickstart your adventure.
Summer Glamping Essentials
Everything you need… and how to pack it.
REI Co-op Pack-Away Bin 140L and REI Co-op Pack- Away Cubes
These are a new addition to my car camping setup. The bin folds flat when empty but holds everything I take care camping with me inside when storing my gear in the closet or packed away in the back of the car and with a few packing cubes (I use one 25L for everything coffee related, one 25L for my pots, pans and dishes, one 25L for slippers, camp chairs and camp pillows and one 10L for my non-perishable food items). I outlined my strategy below.
REI Co-op Pack-Away 12 Soft Cooler
This folds flat when packed away and pops up really easily when I need it. Pro-tip: freeze a Nalgene bottle the night before for a very long lasting ice pack in your cooler (and bonus water when it melts).
In my coffee pod:
REI Co-op Solid Graphic Camp Mug
Coffee Beans (I try to find a local coffee shop and have them ground to save on time and mess)
Chemex Coffee Maker - I wrap this either in a down blanket or more recently in my REI Co-op Camp Wrap to stay safe
Acaia coffee scale (I use 50g of beans : 650g water for two cups of camp coffee)
In my cooking pod:
Stanley Even-Heat Camp Pro Cookset
SnowPeak Knife and Cutting Board Duo
Tiny Cast Iron pan (this was from my grandmother but you can find a smilier one here)
Olive oil, honey and open spices in a half gallon Stasher bag
Biodegradable dish soap and a small cleaning cloth and drying cloth (although honestly I will typically just wipe them clean-ish when out and do a full clean when back home)
In my pantry pod:
Non-perishable food items and spices. I use these mostly as a backup when I forget a meal when planning, extend the trip a few days or don’t have time to run to the store. Pasta + sauce, brown rice and Trader Joe’s Indian Fare meals, a few packaged of oatmeal are Staples. As well as the entire Patagonia Provisions line of dried soups, chilis, grains as well as smoked and canned fish products.
In my cozy pod:
Camp Slippers - they also come in mens here
REI Co-op Camp Wrap if it isn’t protecting my Chemex
Loose in the pack-away bin:
REI Co-op Shower Roll - perfect for keeping toiletries organized and even has a small mirror
Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove + fuel
Helinox Table One Camping Table - Hard Top - Large
Down Blanket - or if you’re not one for sharing, they also come in a 1 Person size too
Water Container - to minimize the chances of running out of water pre coffee.
(note that this does not fit into my car camping bin but hangs out beside it)
Happy Camping
*Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made - at no additional cost to you. As always, all ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Thank you for your support!
