Camping with Kids

KOA Santa Cruz/Monterrey...great place...very kid oriented....and you can drive down to the Monterrey Aquarium.

Hey, good for you for going camping with kids. Camping not being my thing but still took my kids-KOA campsites were my favorite. They have hot showers (yeah!), usaully a place to wash dishes (handy) and sometimes stuff for kids (ie playground, swimming pool, etc.). A bit of "city-fied" but the place was still camping and making mom happy too. They're all over the place too. Good luck and have fun!

We went to Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite last summer.... best place I have ever been. You do not bring your own tent. They provide you with a tent like cabin. The best part about this campsite is that it is located right by the most beautiful water. The water is still and safe for kids to wade around in. There is a beach right there that has great sand. Very beautiful as well.... so scenic.

http://www.yosemitepark.com/accommodations_housekeepingca...

Hi K.,
I live in Santa Rosa so I'm not familiar with any spots in your area, but my best advice is to try somewhere close to home over a weekend. My first camping trip with my daughters was at Spring Lake right here in Santa Rosa. We live about 10 minutes away, but it's up in the hills and feels like it's miles from home. There is a fishing lake, a swimming lagoon and a city park all within hiking distance. There's even a pizza parlor not to far in case we don't feel like cooking. I liked being close to home knowing that I could easily run home if I forgot something or if one of us was just "done" with camping. Turns out it's a favorite camping spot and we've been camping there every summer for the last few years. Because it's so close we usually can find a friend or two that camp with us over one or two nights. This summer we are going to venture out to Humboldt State Park (Albee Creek Campgrounds) which I've heard is amazing! Can't wait to go. KOA is also a very good family friendly campground, though if you're not a member can get rather pricy as far as camping goes. Keep us posted on where you decide to go.

Our family's favorite spots are Yosemite and Pinecrest Lake. If you're looking for an easier transition to camping, Yosemite has Housekeeping where you're in a semi-tent/cabin with a little patio area and you can shower. Pinecrest is also great and I can't wait to take my kids camping there. My mom and I drove up for the day with my oldest last year. She was about 20 months old and had a blast throwing rocks in the lake and watching dogs play.

Someone mentioned Gualala. I went there once when I was about 12 and had a blast.

Hello,

Oh how we love to camp!! I have three kids (3,5 and 9) so we have made an annual tradition going to Petaluma KOA and inviting everyone we know. We all camp around each other, it is safe, the kids have all their friends for a few days and we do campfires and marshmallows and even shared dinners with family and friends. The KOA has events every day including swimming, hay rides, shows, karaoke, face painting, ice cream sundaes, etc. There is soemething for everyone and all ages. It is not your hard core camping, but it is seems to be easier on everyone. We love it!

Good luck.

Kim

We love the KOA campground in Petaluma. It has small reasonably priced cabins (or trailer hook ups if you have a trailer) and they are geared for kids. They have a pool, petting zoo, arcade, playground, movie night, ice cream social, hay rides! It's fantastic and I highly recommend it. Hope that helps.

I live on the Mendocino Coast. There are lots af great caping places here. Gualala point regional park, in Gualala, is one of my alltime favorites, as is Anchor Bay campground where you camp almost on the beach and listen to the waves crashing all night long. It's cold around here at night, even in Summer, so have a tent heater at least. Also, Westport has a great campground on the beach with a huge playground for the kiddos. I havn't camped there yet but I've seen it and I really want to. I first went to Anchor Bay when my son learned to walk. It's safe, as are the others, and not too crowded - even when these are full, they're not crowded at all. These are wilderness campgrounds and where I first learned about light-up shoes (hint hint)

There's a KOA out here in Manchester that's wonderful, but kinda crowded. All kinds of activities.

I have a 3 year old and have found that KOA in Petaluma is her favorite spot to go. We've been going there since she was a newborn and they have activities for kids of all ages (and adults). The one in Petaluma has a petting zoo which she loves being able to go down there and see all the animals.

Hi, I live in Milpitas and we venture to Woodward Reservoir its between Manteca and Oakdale. Its a bit more run down now, but the reservoir its right there, an arms reach away (perfect for kiddos) and we also go to Camanche. These are the lakes we jet ski @, we also go to New Brighton beach and camp during the winter (we have a RV). Its not close to the beach but when you do get there (walking, or car) its soooooo beautiful!

Samuel P. Taylor Park in Marin county - camped there since I was three months old, and now I'm 55. Giant Redwoods, a creek, a "fern forest" where
we buried hidden treasure and dug it up the next year. Great.

Costanoa by Half Moon Bay is fantastic for
kids of all ages. Manresa by Santa Cruz is also
great for kids. Have fun!!

We also love the KOAs. The one in Petaluma was a bit too sterile for my taste. Better than that is the one in Cloverdale, and best is the one in Manchester Beach. We LOVE it there. We usually get one of their cabins. It's the best mix of camping and civilization.

As for tent camping, we have really enjoyed camping at China Beach on the Bay near San Rafael. It's walk-in only, but it's close to our home and usually pretty peaceful.

There are also lots of campgrounds along the Russian River. We've camped a few times at Casini Ranch (though not for a few years). Their recent YELP reviews haven't been spectacular, but we've had good times there.

Good luck!

We go to East Park Resevoir up by Williams/Maxwell area, just don't go on a holiday weekend (it can get crazy up there). It's free, has great camping spots on the water and our son has had a great time there. Anchor Bay is nice too, its small and crouded but you can camp or RV. The beach is nice and secluded with lots to explore. I'm going to have to check out the KOA in Petaluma, thanks for the tips moms.

Well, I'm not much of a camper, but my cousin is, and she takes my kids and hers up to Mono Hot Springs every summer. It is a bit remote and rustic, but absolutely beautiful! There is a river that runs along the campground area, and although it is cold water, the kids love to play in it. There are a number of beautiful hikes you can do, even with younger kids. If "rustic" camping isn't your thing, they also have cabins and even a spa! It's in between Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Park, sort of east of Fresno.

http://www.monohotsprings.com/

Just went to Lake Del Valle just outside of livermore with our 4 year old. It was really one of the nicest places we have been and so close!
There is a creek, a lake, excellent hiking, large open fields in the middle of the campgrounds for kids to run around and play in.
We were thoroughly impressed!
Otherwise I love Yosemite, Russian Gulch, Pine crest...Those have been our regulars in the past, but we will definitely add Del Valle onto that list!

D.