well off the beathen path

Plenty folks asking about "where to go rafting or river tubing" in Southern California. HINT: You need water! (lack of rain means SoCal is nearly a desert region) While SoCal has ocean access with hundreds of miles of shoreline; the fresh, clean, clear big water only flows from the mountains. Better yet from the Sierra Nevada or Northern California. Southern California has a few rivers & most seasonal streams dry up before mid-summer. You're lucky to see a trickle, yet a waterfall, inland. HEAD NORTH: The biggest river driving distance to Los Angeles is the infamous Kern River . The western side of the Sierras has many main tributaries flowing west from granite alpine of the high country. Kings River , the longest river in the Sierra Nevada, flows from where else - Kings Canyon National Park , San Joaquin River tucked way back near Mono Hot Springs in Sierra National Forest & the Merced, which flows through Yosemite National Park . The real river recreation, kay...

One of the easiest alpine lakes to drive to in the western Sierra's is located on Highway 108, the Sonora Pass . Stanislaus National Forest region is home to Dodge Ridge ski area & excellent forest camping. Fishing, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking w/ mountain peaks, big rivers and creeks. Campground camping, backpacking, primitive camping, 4x4 camping. RV camping is very popular on this High Sierra route, but lake side camp sites do book up months in advance for prime summer months. There are numerous Campgrounds in the Sierra Sonora region are plentiful, so you can check more lists for camping nearby. More rugged characters can grab a map to explore trails, trailheads and camp for free on the back roads! STANISLAUS NF MAP USDA STANISLAUS TOPO ATLAS CARSON-ICEBERG WILDERNESS MAP EMIGRANT WILDERNESS MAP USDA EMIGRANT MAP TOM HARRISON NATGEO WILDERNESS MAP Pinecrest California has number of accommodations, such as chalets & cabins available for rent. Th...

San Diego California has a hundred miles of great beaches & coastal access, although there are only a handful of campgrounds along the coast. You can camp in the downtown area, like RV only Silver Strand State Beach , or perhaps with the masses at Mission Bay. SD's North County coastline has a much more rural feel, less development & plenty great surfing, shoreline & seaweed. San Diego's 2 large beach campgrounds with ocean view & cliff side access are: San Elijo Beach Campground near Cardiff & South Carlsbad State Beach . We suggest making reservations, as these do tend to be popular alternatives to the San Diego city camping options.