This past Memorial Day Weekend, my family and I escaped the city to Dixon Lake for a 3 day camp trip. Dixon Lake is the perfect campground for newbies who want to experience the outdoors, but don't want to sacrifice the simple comforts of life. 

• **Super clean showers that are FREE! **Leave your quarters at home! The water pressure is fantastic and it takes no time for the water to get HOT. Make sure you bring a shower caddy and some water proof laundry bags because there aren't many wall hooks to hang your towels or clothes.
• Flushable toilets with drum roll SEAT COVERS!! If you've ever been camping, you'll know that this is a luxury that you probably won't ever see at any other campgrounds.
• **Relatively pretty harmless insects. **There are the occasional ants and honey bees that hang around, but I've rarely gotten insect/mosquito bites in the 10+ times that I've camped here. Normally I'm a mosquito magnet.
• Not too removed from civilization. It's an easy 15 minute drive to get to gas stations, large markets (Ralphs), shops, and breweries (pssst. Stone Brewing Co. is nearby if you needed to pick up a growler!) I like to set up camp when I arrive, and do all the grocery shopping at a local market so that we get everything fresh.
• Fun activities for everyone. Just below the campgrounds is a very popular lake park. You can do anything from hiking, fishing, pedal boating, row or motor boating, picnicking, to bird watching. Just no swimming or wading in the water. Bummer, I know. But this lake is a reservoir so the park rangers strongly enforce those rules. The pedal boats are only $12/hour to rent (plus $12 deposit). Make sure to bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and umbrella with you. Yes, I said UMBRELLA! I'm Asian! There is no relief from the sun on the lake. You'll thank me later!
• Concession Building by the Ranger Station. You can pick up bags of ice and fishing bait, as well as ice cream, popsicles, candy, chips, coffee, drinks, and some hot food items. How often do you get to enjoy COLD POPSICLES when you're camping?! It's such a treat for a hot day on the lake.
• **Amazing lake views with beautiful hills in the backdrop. **Nothing gets better than this. Sunsets are spectacular here, and the evenings are full of shooting stars. My favorite time of day is at dawn when the fog rolls through the hills and over the lake. The Snack Stand by the Ranger Station opens at 6AM so you can pick up a hot cup of joe and soak in the still and calm of nature.