We camp here as much as possible. Just good ol' pit toilets, but usually not crowded, and very quiet. As Humboldt locals, we like to be away from the crowds, in the most beautiful natural areas in California. This is the trail head to the famous Lost Coast Trail, and just a stunning beach campground. Dogs allowed on leash, pop your tent in the sand. Super nice.

No big stores nearby, so you should probably get groceries in Eureka or Fortuna before heading over the hill to Petrolia. There is a small store, but this is Humboldt so they could be closed at any given point, wouldn't depend on it.

Be careful in the summer, not really sandal appropriate. The native dune plants have lots of little prickers in the sand among the campsites.

Make sure to stroll along the beach north to where the Mattole river flows into the Pacific. You will almost always find a bunch of seals hanging out on the other side of the river spit and hunting in the estuary for fist.

We visited in January, and should have been better prepared! :) I know better, but we didn't check the conditions well enough, and froze our butts the first night! The campground was beautiful, and the desert at Joshua Tree and around is really special. The campsites are kinda open to the wind, but the star cover was amazing, and surroundings were beautiful. If only we had more clothing that night….

Make sure to check the low and high temps to plan accordingly. The dessert has been know to test adventurers, so travel safely. There are some amazing features in this park, including Skull Rock. We like weird stuff, so this was really cool. The cactus all around are spectacular also.

Beware of the Chollo! The "jumping cactus" have been know to cause sever pain to those who don't pay attention to their surroundings!

This place really holds a special place in my heart. First experience was biking down the coast and staying in the Hiker Biker site. The hike down the trail past Kirk Creek to the beach is super cute, and easy. The beach is rocky, no sand, but has epic wave action smashing on the rocks in the surf.

Check out the map online, if you are lucky enough to get to reserve one of the sites along the cliff, major score. Though, none of the sites will disappoint.

Hands down best campground on Highway 1, and yes, I have seen them all having biked the whole damn thing. Just make sure to bring a lot of water, when I was first there the running water was not potable. Also make sure to plan your food, because it is really hard to find groceries along Route 1.

One of the best campsites in California. You should start at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center and hike out to this campground. True, you can just drive here, but that would waste a good chance at an easy backpack trip. Good to bring out a beginner here. Relatively mellow trail, spectacular scenery, super quiet beach area. This is one of the best trails in California. Some of the biggest and oldest trees in the world, along a historic trail to a breathtaking Fern Canyon, and stunning long sandy beach. What more can you really ask for?

Best to do it before June when all the big groups of tourists arrive, but still not bad anytime of year.

Consider joining a guided tour with the great naturalist guides at Redwood Adventures and Elk Meadow Cabins if it is your first time to the area, or if you are limited with time.