Hi neighbor!

We just went camping at Mt. Diablo State Park over the weekend and it was quite the adventure!

We were at the Wildcat group campsite with 24 friends — half of which were small children. The kids had fun having water fights, biking up and down the long road to camp, and climbing at Rock City. The adults had watching the World Cup Games on a travel TV in a “primitive” campsite that didn’t even have flushing toilets or showers — let alone power outlets or wifi (but it worked!). We also watched a gorgeous sunset that never seemed to end, followed by stargazing on a warm summer night. Quintessential summer!

It got me thinking about all our past camping trips — and the places I still want to visit. There are so many family-friendly campgrounds within a few hours of Pleasant Hill and I’d love to share them with you.

Our family does these 4 campgrounds on repeat.

Duncans Mills, CA (~2 hours away)

This place on the Russian River has it all — playgrounds and sport courts throughout the campsite, beach access along the edge of the property, and a bunch of farm animals. There are also special events in the summer season, like movie nights and bonfires.

Casini Ranch has tent and RV sites, as well as cabins, permanent tents, and even ranch wagons you can sleep in.

Forestville, CA (~1.5 hours away)

River Bend Resort is another fantastic option on the Russian River with a similar vibe to Casini Ranch. They have playgrounds, an arcade, and a private beach where you can play in the water.

River Bend also has a variety of tent sites, RV sites, and cabins so you can find the right fit for your family.

Arnold, CA (~2.5 hours away)

Big Trees is all about natural beauty and — you guessed it: really big trees. There's nothing quite like camping and hiking among giant sequoias.

There’s a 1.7 mile flat trail near the visitor center that’s a lot of fun for kids to explore, with a nearby seasonal snack shack where you can grab a meal or a treat. Make sure to check the park schedule for guided hikes, kids programs, and other events.

Garberville, CA (~3.5 hours away)

The coast redwoods and Eel River make Richardson Grove an idyllic campground for nature lovers. You can spend your whole day at the river, swimming in the water holes, jumping off the rocks, and floating in your inner tubes. You can also join the seasonal campfire programs, Junior Ranger activities, and guided nature walks.

I’ve heard great things about these campgrounds and can’t wait to check them out!

Coloma, CA (~2 hours away)

This one sounds like it has something for everyone — river tubing, hiking, biking, fishing, live music, a pool, playgrounds, gold panning, a pool, and sport courts. They also have water and electricity at every site, hot showers, and Wi-Fi.

Santa Rosa, CA (~1.5 hours away)

This campground packs a lot into one spot — waterpark, swimming lagoon, boating, paddling, biking, and fishing, all just 90 minutes from home. There's even an onsite café open weekends 12—6, so you can take a break from camp cooking.

Big Sur, CA (~3 hours away)

This state park is one of California's most beloved campgrounds for good reason, with beautiful redwoods and Big Sur River access. Reservations book 6 months out, so set a reminder if you want to snag a spot.

Gualala, CA (~3 hours away)

This campground sits where the Gualala River meets the Pacific — a small, forested campground with hiking trails that lead straight to the beach. It's known as a great spot for whale watching, and best of all, it's rarely crowded.

Lodi, CA (~1 hour away)

This sounds like the place to be if you want to guarantee your kids will never want to leave camp. Water park, laser tag, jumping pillow, mini golf, gem mining, and playgrounds. It's basically a theme park you can sleep at.

Washington, CA (~3 hours away)

This campground sits on the Yuba River and comes highly recommended by Pleasant Hill families in the know. There's a swimming hole, a common area with horseshoes, basketball, volleyball, and swings — and they welcome dirt bikes.

What are your favorite campgrounds in NorCal? Reply back and let me know!

See you around town (or in the great outdoors!),

Jen

P.S. Check out this camping supply giveaway for a pop-up tent, sleeping gear, cooking supplies, and more. Today (6/16) is the last day to enter!