OK, just being facetious, but it fits with the theme of this query.My wife is tired of sharing our camping experience with the great unwashed. When I say that, I'm referring to the Party and Play crowd (think meth). They worry her and she doesn't enjoy the experience.In our search for campgrounds I thought I'd throw this out there, private campgrounds with large lakes (at least very close) less than 4 hours from San Francisco.Campgrounds with nice grounds, decent spacing between sites, personnel that actively give the boot to folks who don't know what the word considerate means or how to play nice with others.Willing to pay the extra that goes along with the amenities ..., it that's what it takes to keep her camping with me.Suggestions?

Do you need hookups? If not, try heading east or north to the National Forests. The campgrounds are pretty private. Amenities are limited (varying between pit toilets to flush toilets and shower facilities). The nature is beautiful. They are usually situated around or nearby lakes and/or rivers/creeks/streams. While there may be some younger groups who like to party a bit at night, they are rarely a real problem. As of this date, I have not run into any bigger issue than that. You've got Mendocino, Plumas, Tahoe, El Dorado, Stanislaus, Shasta-Trinity, etc. to choose from. Some may be a bit more than 4 hours away, but you'll get some great camping.

AtNo riff-raff here$70/night keeps them out. Anything less then that and your have common people as neighbors.

ed6713 wrote:AtNo riff-raff here$70/night keeps them out. Anything less then that and your have common people as neighbors.Whew! Good people-screening aside, they're packed in pretty tight on the asphalt there. I think I'd rather camp with the riff raff. Wait. I AM the riff raff.Never mind! :)

Francesca, I am with you on this one. I would never even stop at that place after seeing it. It is not a campground, just a large parking lot. Not my kind of place for sure. I'd sooner stay home.

We're too good for your campground! | Good Sam Community

Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Aug 09, 2014
Here's a place that keeps out the four legged riffraff (and their riders), anyway:

;)
rhingst
Explorer
Aug 09, 2014
We have an unwritten rule we go by exclusively. That is if the RV park or Campground name has the word MARINA in it we don't look any further. We have seen those in the past with multiple vehicles around each site and no way to move around within the park.
tpi
Explorer
Aug 09, 2014
My wife is tired of sharing our camping experience with the great unwashed. When I say that, I'm referring to the Party and Play crowd (think meth). They worry her and she doesn't enjoy the experience.

Where are you having these issues? I just passed through the area and stayed in the Petaluma KOA. Didn't see a bit of what you're describing...all I saw was kids, kids and more kids. The night before I stayed in a quiet adult oriented RV park in Fortuna CA. called Riverwalk. No sign of partying near my site anyway. Checking out rvparkreviews.com, yelp, etc. may steer you toward places you find acceptable.
tad94564
Explorer
Aug 04, 2014
Valkyriebush wrote:
EricGT wrote:
ed6713 wrote:
AtNo riff-raff here

$70/night keeps them out. Anything less then that and your have common people as neighbors.

No offense, but is that a storage lot?
Why would anyone pay to stay there?

Very close to the city. Spectacular view of the Pacific, whales off the coast.

Do not try taking a 35ft motorhome in SF, and try to find parking for it; if you do find parking, you'll probably be paying way more than this for the day.

Much cheaper than any of the nice hotels in SF.

Personally, I would prefer to stay at Anthony Chabot park in Hayward (it's actually pretty nice, except for the creaking eucalyptus trees)
Valkyriebush
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2014
EricGT wrote:
ed6713 wrote:
AtNo riff-raff here

$70/night keeps them out. Anything less then that and your have common people as neighbors.

No offense, but is that a storage lot?
Why would anyone pay to stay there?

Very close to the city. Spectacular view of the Pacific, whales off the coast.
Drbolasky
Explorer
Aug 04, 2014
mdamerell wrote:

The rules and owners cater to different markets. Some are oriented at the family, retired (no kids) or even the party crowd. Rude people can be found everywhere.

This is as plain as it gets.
Jim_Shoe
Explorer
Aug 03, 2014
This sounds like a problem without a solution. You might at least try high end private "camping resorts". The meth heads are just looking for a place to get high, and the more they spend on a CG, the less there is to spend on their heads. If that doesn't work, think seriously about a different hobby.
Oregon_Ms
Explorer
Aug 03, 2014
I've noticed a difference in the clientele of campgrounds since 08. I also have noticed a lot more boon docking on city streets, to the point of where, delicately put, it's flat out uncomfortable for the homeowners (i.e. taxpayers) in certain locals. I'm amazed that some of these rigs are even mobile. Teachers talk about "feral kids" who pop in and out of the system. It was just one of the straws on my camel's back for recently moving on from Eugene. Generally speaking, people in campgrounds are paying customers so you see less of it than you do on the streets. That said, before 08 I do not recall seeing school buses make stops at campgrounds, now I do. Just the facts.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Aug 03, 2014
Did the OP stop and think that maybe, just maybe, the "party crowd" is sick of his "stick in the mud" attitude?

To each his own.

My trailer has wheels if it does not work out.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Aug 03, 2014
I know a couple that has a good way to deal with neighbors. They rent one whole area 6 sites and have no neighbors. They have done this for 5 years. Very nice people.