California road trip - updated w/ pics

[eDUBz]

Our friends from up north booked us some camping spots up at Lake Almanor over the 4th of July - was thinking to leave a few days before and go check out Bodie SP, I know it's kind of last minute to plan a trip but I was also thinking of venturing up into Oregon since we will be so far up north. What do you guys recommend. Going to do my best to book some camping spots, we have no time restrictions. Looking for places to see so I can put together a plan. So from Oxnard Ca to the Oregon border area

[eDUBz]

We have reservations at Lake Almanor somewhere - our friends booked it for us, what about the Oregon spots, do I need reservations? Normally I would but I kind of just want to go and not worry about reaervations. Thanks for all the replys.

[1L243]

I use to live in the Redding area and when it was 100+ we use to head to Burney, Lassen and Almenor to get out of the valley. The ride over Mt. Lassen is a must do.

I now live in Oregon one of my favorite places is Joseph Stewart State Park about ,40 miles from Crater Lake another must see. Do the drive along the rim.

Wherever you stay if it's during a holiday weekend reservations may be in order.

[DuneJunkie]

If you are going that far, are you willing to go another few miles?
I would HIGHLY recommend heading over the boarder into Oregon to Brookings. If you go up the north bank road of the chetco river, there are river bars up there you can camp on.....
pull right down next to the water, swim, kayak, and just relax....its amazing.
let me know if you need more info, I can send you pictures, recommend which river bar to be on, and anything else you need.....

[Hap_Hazard]

Nayther,

Thank you for the kind words. I will admit I love this area and I'm proud to share its rich history.

Anyone heading this way please feel free to contact me.

Hap

[Steve76eb]

If you decided to head to Burney Falls, check the weather. If it one of those summer heat wave weekends where Redding is 105+ I would be skipping at camping at Burney. It can be pretty hot there even at 3100'. Its not a whole lot cooler than Redding.

People have mentioned about camping and riding at Mammoth and its some of the best if you enjoy riding in the woods, especially from your campsite. Last time we were there we stayed at Deadmans for 5 days and made a day trip into Bodie from there.

[nayther]

Hap Hazard wrote:
EDUBz

I have followed your family adventures since you became members. Your travels and photos remind me of our travels with our kids.

Your post indicates that you may be travelling through our area of the State. If you’ll send me a private message I’ll provide some idea for exploring the history of our state and our country while letting the family have a great time having fun and learning some history.

Many areas of our state have built over our history, but the Eastern Sierras has that history still existing for you to look at, touch, and experience. You can visit the Manzanar Japanese Internment Camp near Lone Pine.

The visitor center just south of Lone Pine will provide you with the history of the Sierras and the issues behind the “Water Wars” between Inyo & Mono Counties and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. This taking of the snow pack run off and water is what let L.A. grow to the city it is today.

Other sites to visit are the Lone Pine Film Museum which features the history of western films and TV shows to current releases. The Laws Museum in Bishop, Ca. is where you can visit and climb on early trains. Visit the Fish Hatcheries in Independence or Mammoth Lakes Calif. In Mono County there is Mammoth Lakes with the Hot Creek and the Ski area (including Rainbow Falls). June Lake, Mono Lake (be sure to visit the visitor’s center) and Bodie are real highlights for kids.

Bodie is not Calico, This is a real ghost town that is frozen in time. With a persevered schoolhouse, stores, undertaker’s office, firehouse, and a real boot hill, you’ll feel the hard life of those times.

If you can bring your toys you’ll find many miles of riding through the forest (trail riding). Visit the volcanos and the abandoned “Smoke Spotters” station.

Enjoy your trip,
hap

take Hap up on this offer. He really knows this section of the state, I'll let him tell you why! I've had the pleasure of sharing an adult beverage with Hap while camping up near Mammoth. He really does care about what we all love to do, camp and OHV recreation.

[dedmiston]

Hap Hazard wrote:
Bodie is not Calico

And thank God for that!

Bodie is amazing.

[mrw8i]

North of Lassen. Lava Beds National Monument. Modoc Indian Wars. Campsites are not very big, we were able to fit our 17' bumper pull into a site with our Suburban next to it. The caves where the Modoc Indians hid in are really cool.

[Hap_Hazard]

EDUBz

I have followed your family adventures since you became members. Your travels and photos remind me of our travels with our kids.

Your post indicates that you may be travelling through our area of the State. If you’ll send me a private message I’ll provide some idea for exploring the history of our state and our country while letting the family have a great time having fun and learning some history.

Many areas of our state have built over our history, but the Eastern Sierras has that history still existing for you to look at, touch, and experience. You can visit the Manzanar Japanese Internment Camp near Lone Pine.

The visitor center just south of Lone Pine will provide you with the history of the Sierras and the issues behind the “Water Wars” between Inyo & Mono Counties and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. This taking of the snow pack run off and water is what let L.A. grow to the city it is today.

Other sites to visit are the Lone Pine Film Museum which features the history of western films and TV shows to current releases. The Laws Museum in Bishop, Ca. is where you can visit and climb on early trains. Visit the Fish Hatcheries in Independence or Mammoth Lakes Calif. In Mono County there is Mammoth Lakes with the Hot Creek and the Ski area (including Rainbow Falls). June Lake, Mono Lake (be sure to visit the visitor’s center) and Bodie are real highlights for kids.

Bodie is not Calico, This is a real ghost town that is frozen in time. With a persevered schoolhouse, stores, undertaker’s office, firehouse, and a real boot hill, you’ll feel the hard life of those times.

If you can bring your toys you’ll find many miles of riding through the forest (trail riding). Visit the volcanos and the abandoned “Smoke Spotters” station.

Enjoy your trip,
hap

[nayther]

yes, lots of good camping around Mammoth. Don't know why you'd be going anywhere close to Bodie if you're going to Almanor from Oxnard. Went to Almanor a LONG time ago, boat only, not TH. Beautiful lake and surrounding area. There was a restaurant we went to a few miles from the lake, seem to remember it being sweedish or something as one of they're specialties was potato pancakes but the big attraction was FRESH trout, as in they pull it out of trout ponds directly behind the restaurant and cook it for you, doesn't get any fresher than that.

Bodie is really cool, your kids will dig it.

[mrw8i]

Between Mammoth Lakes and June Lakes - free campground called Glass Creek. Large sites, no water/electrical/sewage. Your smaller trailer might also fit in another nearby free campground called Big Springs. Can ride your RZR right out of camp. A few years ago we rode our RZRs from Glass to Bodie and back; I don't recommend doing it without lots of planning and riding with someone else in case of problems. Lots of riding in Mammoth area.

[eDUBz]

eundercoffler wrote:
I second Lassen and Burney Falls, especially if you like to fish.
Eric

looking into - Thanks

[eDUBz]

lanerd wrote:
Going up 395 this time of year is a beautiful driver (just did it a week ago). Where in Oregon would you be headed? Lots and lots to see up there. We are currently on the coast at Newport.

Ron

Just want to venture into the boarder area of Oregon maybe a couples hours in. No set plan yet trying to put something together

[eundercoffler]

I second Lassen and Burney Falls, especially if you like to fish.
Eric

[lanerd]

Going up 395 this time of year is a beautiful driver (just did it a week ago). Where in Oregon would you be headed? Lots and lots to see up there. We are currently on the coast at Newport.

Ron