Well, get your RV ready and don’t forget to pack your corkscrew as we have some unusual and inspiring RV Camping spots to recommend in California’s wine country. Camping sites we highlight are near dozens of wineries where you can buy a bottle and sample it under the redwoods, near a meadow or river, or while you watch the sunset on the miles of California seashore. Uncork your own California wine country adventure!
There are basically four main regions for Wineries: They are the Santa Barbara area, the Sierra Foothills, Sonoma County and Napa Valley.
1. El Capitán State Beach Park - Santa Barbara
This park is right on the coast, with a spectacular beach for swimming and tide-pooling, and stands of sycamore and oak along El Capitán Creek. It’s a perfect setting for swimming, fishing, surfing, picnicking and camping. A stairway provides access from the bluffs to the beach area. And if you want to meet some non-RV family or friends there, they have very nice cabins with showers. It is only 40 minutes from the Santa Ynez Valley.
2. South Yuba Recreation Area – BLM Land – Sierra Foothills
The South Yuba Wild & Scenic River Recreation Area and National Trail is located approximately 10 miles northeast of Nevada City, California. The Recreation Area is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM); U.S. Forest Service (USFS); and California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks/DPR). This 15-mile trail is open to hiking, horseback riding, trail running and mountain biking. The trail is closed to motorized vehicles. The South Yuba Trail takes hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders through historic foothill river canyons. Expect to see evidence of California's rich gold rush history. Be aware, however, that the campsites are on a first-come-first-serve basis only. Campsites at the South Yuba Campground have been filling up fast before the weekend. Note also, that they can only accommodate an RV up to 22 feet long.
The park advises that your best chance to find a campsite in the South Yuba Campground is to arrive on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday.
3. Coloma Resort – Sierra Foothills
Just 17 minutes from Placerville, and located on the South Fork of the American River, the family-owned Coloma Resort puts you in the heart of the heart of wine country. It is surrounded by Marshall Gold Discovery State Park as Coloma is home to Sutter’s Mill, the birthplace of the Gold Rush.
Each RV campsite has its own picnic table, campfire ring and water/electricity hook-ups. Dump Stations are available; sewer hook-ups are included with off-river sites only. They can accommodate RVs up to 45' and this facility is pet friendly and their campsites are level!.
4. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park – Sonoma County
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park contains the headwaters of Sonoma Creek. It runs through gorge and canyon, across the meadow floor, beneath scenic rock outcroppings, and is surrounded at times by redwoods and ferns.
A 25-foot waterfall flows after the winter rains. There is a self-guided nature trail along Sonoma Creek that starts near the picnic area. Dogs must be on a leash under your control at all times. Dogs are not allowed on trails. Dogs must be in a tent, camper or enclosed vehicle during the night.
Within the oak woodland and chaparral, the park has 25 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding.
Deer, gray foxes, the occasional bobcat and coyote can be seen in the park. In spring, wildflowers provide a colorful palette across the green hills. Note that all plants and wildlife within the park are protected.
On a clear day, visitors can see views of the Sierra Nevada and the Golden Gate bridge from the 2729-foot summit of Bald Mountain.
The non-profit Valley of the Moon Observatory Association provides year-round astronomy education and interpretation programs at the Robert Ferguson Observatory within Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Program fees vary, some are free with the payment of the park's Day Use Fee. There are three telescopes and theNew Generation 40-inch Telescope Project at the Ferguson Observatory which will be one of the largest telescopes dedicated for public viewing.
Location/Directions:
This park is about one hour away from San Francisco and seven miles east of Santa Rosa. Please note: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is operated by Team Sugarloaf. For updates, see their website at https://sugarloafpark.org/.
5. River Bend Cabins, RVs and Camping – Sonoma County
If you would like to experience Sonoma County’s world-famous Russian River appellation, camp next to it! You can at River Bend camping. Korbel Champagne Cellars and Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards are nearby. This campground is also near Forestville and Guerneville, which are small, quaint towns, offering shopping and dining. River Bend has a large variety of RV sites, many of which overlook the Russian River.
6. Bothe-Napa Valley State Park - Napa Valley
This state park has year-round camping and yurts are available, a spring-fed swimming pool and 25 miles of hiking trails through redwoods and madrones. It is near Calistoga wineries.
Located in the heart of the beautiful Napa Valley wine country, the Park offers camping, picnicking, swimming, and hiking trails that go through stands of coastal redwoods as well as forests of Douglas-fir, tan oak, and madrone.
Daytime visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll in Ritchey Canyon on the Redwood Trail to view the delicate ferns and listen to the water splashing down the rocky creek-bed. Bring your wine and cheese and picnic under the towering Douglas Firs.
On hot summer days, grab a swimsuit and towel and come enjoy a dip in the park's spring-fed swimming pool. There is an additional fee for the use of the swimming pool, to be paid at the park entrance. Current pool hours and dates of operation are posted and are subject to change.
Note that this park is operated by Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District. See their website for more details and updates.
Whatever wine region you want to visit, when you are ready to go, pack your corkscrew and take to the open road and enjoy some of these winery destinations. Be sure to start at Road Bear RV.
