Due to gas prices I have to cancel my NorCal trip, any alternative suggestions?

[RisingPhoenix]

I have been planing on driving the Avalanche up to Williits California to stay on my brothers 40 acer property for about six months now.  However due to the fact that gas is already at $5/gal in just June, in August when I want to go, gas is going to be the bulk of my expenses.

We wanted to drive up there, stay for a few day's in his cabin then go onward to camp in new locations.  Camping is our normal vacation in the summer and I need to camp within the trees.  We will be towing my dirt bike and will bring our tent and dog.

My question is this.

Because I have to take Willits off our itinerary due to the cost of driving (at least 10 hours), where else can we go that is within about 5 hours?

In the past we have gone to Big Bear Mountain and after three years I need a change.  Big Bear is about three hours away.

My requirements are this:

Trees, lots and lots of pine, ceder, redwood trees.

Solitude (we normally camp in yellow post sites which are for only single tent camping and you have zero neighbors)

Semi-gas friendly; up to 5 hours

Trees and trees

I would appreciate any input.  We will be leaving on my Birthday (August 16th) and have until the 1st of September.

Please show me something I have never seen before!!!!!!!!      

[MoAv]

RP-have you had a chance to go to the Sequoia National Park yet?  We were able to go two years ago and it it fantastic.  You want trees?  There are some of the most beautiful trees I've ever seen there - HUGE!!  Here's the web site More info here  I'm not sure about the camping because ours was a day trip, but there is info on the web site..

Have fun!!

[RisingPhoenix]

RP-have you had a chance to go to the Sequoia National Park yet?  We were able to go two years ago and it it fantastic.  You want trees?  There are some of the most beautiful trees I've ever seen there - HUGE!!  Here's the web site More info here  I'm not sure about the camping because ours was a day trip, but there is info on the web site..

Have fun!!

Thank you girl!!!  I appreciate the link.   

[CA-AV]

You should also consider Big Sur which might be at your 5 hour drive limit.  I've camped there in the past and I've enjoyed it.  Lot's of trees including redwoods.

[RENORCR]

RP,

I know what you're going through trying to plan a trip. Big Sur, Sequoia, King & Yosemite maybe the ticket.

In August the 23rd, a week after you. We will be driving the AV all the way to Reno and that is longer than 5 hours.

[RENORCR]

This maybe a bit beyond your 5 hr limit. But I had stay at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. It ajoins the Golden Gate National Rec Area. It has alot of of trees. But if you go. Watch out for the racoons. I had one do a rowing move while pulling the cooler away. It was a sight to see. They will get very up close and personal. Too close for me. This one had come up between my body and my right arm. When we were having dinner. My poor friend and wife had turned white. Telling me not to move.

[RisingPhoenix]

Watch out for the racoons. I had one do a rowing move while pulling the cooler away. It was a sight to see. They will get very up close and personal. Too close for me. This one had come up between my body and my right arm. When we were having dinner. My poor friend and wife had turned white. Telling me not to move.

        That is pretty funny.  I have had raccoons steal catfish that I caught but they never put on quite a show!!

[RisingPhoenix]

You should also consider Big Sur which might be at your 5 hour drive limit.  I've camped there in the past and I've enjoyed it.  Lot's of trees including redwoods.

I have heard a lot of positive things about Big Sur.  I always forget about that place for some reason. 
Thank you for the suggestion 

[RisingPhoenix]

Well the jury came back and we will be going back to our tried and true Big Bear Mountain.

This time we will go to the north side where we only go for snow camping.  Should be nice to see it in the summer 

Anyone gonna be around that area during August 16th- 31st?

[misanthrope]

Having spent a good amount of my life in that area(father lives in Lake Arrowhead) and since you've decided on Big Bear, might I suggest:

* Green Valley Lake due west of Big Bear Lake off the ca-29 is really nice.

* Yellow post site 54 is nice

* Crab Flats

* Hanna flats

For some great wild trout fishing, take your fly rod over to Deep Creek or Green Valley. For Grouse hunting try the area on the backside of Big Bear near Lucerne Valley.

There are also 7 backroads that can bring you into Lake Arrowhead - Big Bear that have awesome caming/OHV and I doubt you'd see anyone for days. Some have been damaged by the fires but for the most part, the others are still in excellent condition.



But if you ever get the chance, check these places out.

* http://www.monohotsprings.com/
7 hours from Ocean side if you follow speed limit signs as law not suggestions, like everyone on this forum.
There are approx. 7 lakes just in that general area. hundreds of thousands of acres for OHV, some of the best fly fishing, lakes, streams, camping, watch out for the black bears(they like to sniff tents...), just about anything you cant hink of.


*http://www.havasupaitribe.com/home.html

[Spork_Driver]

See and here I was going to suggest Big Bear the minute I read your topic.  I love that place though we didn't have the dirt bike and ATV when we lived out there, just mountain bikes.  I got to meet Matt Hoffman there.  SO COOL!  The North side is pretty in the summer.

[RisingPhoenix]

Having spent a good amount of my life in that area(father lives in Lake Arrowhead) and since you've decided on Big Bear, might I suggest:

* Green Valley Lake due west of Big Bear Lake off the ca-29 is really nice.

* Yellow post site 54 is nice

* Crab Flats

* Hanna flats

For some great wild trout fishing, take your fly rod over to Deep Creek or Green Valley. For Grouse hunting try the area on the backside of Big Bear near Lucerne Valley.

There are also 7 backroads that can bring you into Lake Arrowhead - Big Bear that have awesome caming/OHV and I doubt you'd see anyone for days. Some have been damaged by the fires but for the most part, the others are still in excellent condition.



But if you ever get the chance, check these places out.

* http://www.monohotsprings.com/
7 hours from Ocean side if you follow speed limit signs as law not suggestions, like everyone on this forum.
There are approx. 7 lakes just in that general area. hundreds of thousands of acres for OHV, some of the best fly fishing, lakes, streams, camping, watch out for the black bears(they like to sniff tents...), just about anything you cant hink of.


*http://www.havasupaitribe.com/home.html

Thank You !!!  Awesome Information!!!!  I truly appreciate it 

See and here I was going to suggest Big Bear the minute I read your topic.  I love that place though we didn't have the dirt bike and ATV when we lived out there, just mountain bikes.  I got to meet Matt Hoffman there.  SO COOL!  The North side is pretty in the summer.

Sporky girl you are so kewl.  We seem to have a lot in common