Foghorn Outdoors: California Camping: The Complete Guide to More Than 1,500 Campgrounds [Paperback]

Tom Stienstra (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Tom Stienstra, outdoors columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle and an enthusiastic promoter of California's wild country, has been collecting information on the state's campgrounds for years--mostly, he writes, so that he would never have to "get stuck again looking for a spot." That wealth of information has been transferred into California Camping, as complete a guide to the state's under-the-stars sleepovers as has ever been assembled.

Drawing on a team of fellow enthusiasts for up-to-date information, Stienstra here lists more than 1,500 campgrounds, ranging from the large venues with hundreds of spaces that lie within Yosemite National Park to the tiniest of public-lands facilities (such as Millard Falls outside Los Angeles, where only five tent sites lie within shouting distance of a 60-foot waterfall). More than a hundred of the listings detail wilderness campgrounds without services, while many more catalogue facilities that are appropriate for RV campers and extended stays. Stienstra takes a generally upbeat view, as when he calls Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay "one of the most beautiful and popular state parks on the planet," but he also warns campers about less-than-ideal conditions, such as the interstate highway noise that awaits overnighters at San Onofre State Beach north of San Diego.

California Camping is a valuable reference for any camping enthusiast with a California destination in mind. --Gregory McNamee --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description

Devoted campers, hikers, boaters, anglers, bikers, and golfers agree: Foghorn Outdoors guidebooks are essential for anyone who wants to spend less time planning and more time enjoying the outdoors. Each book is an excursion guide packed with the latest information on a variety of adventures near and far. Foghorn Outdoors: California Camping provides details on nearly every campground in the entire state, from secluded alpine hike-in sites to convenient roadside spots, and including more than 100 in the "5 Percent Club," for those who want to escape the crowds. With precise driving directions to each site, completely revised maps, and up-to-date information on fees and services, this book is a must-have for anyone who is even considering a camping trip in the Golden State.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 930 pages
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing; 13 Sub edition (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566914868
• ISBN-13: 978-1566914864
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #925,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly complete!, May 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Foghorn Outdoors: California Camping (Paperback)

I don't know how Tom Stienstra does it but I'm sure glad he does. This is the best guide ever written for California outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a state park, national forest or private campground; if you're a wilderness backpacker or a Winnebago warrior Tom has compiled everything you need to know about every possible destination in the golden state categorized by region. Each year's new edition is up-to-date. Helpful reminders, lists of things to take, words to the wise...it's all here. This book is my home state outdoor bible.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great investment!, April 27, 2002

By	Brandy DeLuca (Orange County, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Foghorn Outdoors California Camping: The Complete Guide to More Than 1,500 Campgrounds (California Camping, 12th ed) (Paperback)

My husband and I were longing to spend our weekends introducing our two children, ages four and two, to the great outdoors. I turned to the web to research our options and find out about the campgrounds in our area. My search led to frustration as I found scattered details here and there and no comprehensive information that would aid in my choosing our weekend destinations. After many dead ends I finally hit the jackpot with my web search, a site that recommended Tom's book! I purchased the book and was so impressed with all of the information that less than 24 hours after it first hit my hands, I felt compelled to write to Tom and thank him for providing such a wonderful resource to those looking to camp in California. Camping with two small children, I need specific details on campsites and the activities surrounding them. This book has provided that and much, much more. I feel like our camping opportunities have been vastly expanded, and this book was well worth the investment.

I highly recommend this book! Thank you again Tom!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't ever fret about finding a campsite again..., May 4, 2002

By	James McDaniel (Orcas, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Foghorn Outdoors California Camping: The Complete Guide to More Than 1,500 Campgrounds (California Camping, 12th ed) (Paperback)

5/4/02

Whether you're a grizzled veteran or a newbie this will become your bible of California Camping. Of the three past editions I own, the 2001-2002 twelfth edition truly is the most improved. As Tom says in his introduction: "More than 5000 updates and upgrades have been made in the campground listings of this edition, the biggest makeover in five years, and the third major makeover in the 15-year history of the book." And it shows! Many of the directions are now detailed down to the nearest 10th of a mile. All new reservation numbers have been added plus web site information and the RV camps that accept credit cards and are wheelchair accessible are just some of the additional improvements.

To insure accuracy "... the page galleys were reviewed by hundreds of field scouts, including 200 rangers at Forest Service Districts and state parks. Research editor Stephani Cruickshank, faxed the galleys out to field stations, then personally reviewed each listing with rangers. A similar process was completed for every page."

So it is not only the most complete - with more than 1,500 campgrounds listed - but by far the most accurate. This book achieves the author's goal of making it possible to always find a spot for the night.

After living in California for some forty years, I've moved a couple of states to the north. I got this edition so I'd be up-to-date and able to show my kids and grandkids who live in California some of the wonders of the great outdoors in their beautiful state (without getting lost!).