California Camping
What makes California camping so special? Well, we have more types of terrain and specific species of animals than any other location in the U.S. The only geographic feature that you will not find here is the arctic tundra. Along our 800 miles of coastline or the 30,000 miles of rivers and streams you will find a representation of every geological location discovered and available elsewhere in this nation. We have prairies, meadowlands, canyons, high desert, low desert, coastal mountains, high elevation forest, and on and on. We have pristine groves of redwood forests along the north-western part of our state. This rugged area is mostly undeveloped due to the remote nature of the land. This is called the Lost North Coast.
Interestingly enough, this Lost North Coast has many dense and almost impenetrable forest areas that have many great hiking trails. However, in the opposite corner of the state, the northeast area, we have what would best be described as a volcanic wasteland.
You really could not find any more of an opposite in geological personalities. Pristine rivers and streams in a gorgeous redwood forest shrouded in misty fog at one end of the spectrum and cold, dead, lava flow settings in a barren high desert location on the other… all within a day’s drive.
Another extreme geological anomaly is the contrast between Death Valley and Mt Whitney. Death Valley is the hottest, at 134 degrees F., and lowest, at 283 ft. below sea level, while Mt Whitney, at 14,494 ft., is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states. The kicker is that these two locations are only 85 miles apart! I should also mention that it does get cold in this state… on Jan. 20, 1937, Boca, CA (El 5,532) set a record at -45 degrees F. But let’s just say, this is not normal… we do call ourselves the “Sunshine State”.
As I mentioned above, we do have volcanic activity. In fact, sitting just north of our great Sacramento Valley is Mt Shasta. This is a 14,162 feet high volcanic peak that last erupted in 1786. Mt Shasta is much easier to climb than Mt Whitney… and Shasta is only 105 miles northwest of Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Because of the diverse geographical landscape, California provides an incredible variety of experiences to our visitors. From the mountains, deserts, and seashores to the art and cultural centers of Los Angeles and San Francisco, or the major attractions like Disneyland, Sea World, and the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, all RV enthusiasts will find an abundance of locations in California that will suit their needs.
My name is Jim, and I retired from the Department of Defense in the year 2000 due to base closure. I was an engineering technician working at McClellan AFB, and way back when, the Sacramento Army Depot. My job was, simply put, to do whatever had to be done.
It encompassed a broad spectrum of activity ranging from writing technical procedures to reverse engineering repair processes and writing/verifying MIL STDs (Military Standards) for various military applications and test equipment.
I am developing a web site (http://www.class-c-motorhome-info-made-simple.com/) that profiles the recreational opportunities in Northern CA specifically, and the US in general. The site encompasses a general overview of RVing basics that relate to accessories and weight issues, repair projects on the Class C, and specific information about prime RV destinations.
