If you can believe it, August is already here! That means back to school supplies are in stores, traffic is about to make a big comeback, and sporting goods and camping outlets are ready to put stuff on markdown!
You may have already splurged on a lengthy summer vacation these past two months. Luckily, RV and motorhome trips are a great way to take a low-key getaway before autumn hits, and best of all you don’t have to break the bank!
Conversion vans, RV’s and class B motorhomes are such a great investment because lodging accommodations become pretty much obsolete. Hopefully, the following tips are helpful in keeping your late summer getaway costs low and the adventure factor high!
1.Check out retailers for end of summer deals.
August is a great time to purchase that inflatable raft, kayak or outdoor picnic set. Stores such as Dicks, Big 5, Camping World and Sports Authority (now actually going out of business) are having great deals on end of season camping/outdoor recreational goods.
2. Check out one of these awesome, last minute campgrounds in Northern California:
According to the experts on the best of living in the West, Sunset Magazine has composed this list of great last minute campgrounds in Northern California. Their list also features backup plans, which is always good for a spur of the moment trip:
- Lassen Volcanic National Park: Tucked into the southeast corner of the park, this 18-site campground is incredible. It has a stunning lakeside location and a nearby half-mile hike to inspiration point, where you’ll see half of Northern California from the summit.
Plan B: Warner Valley Campground, in the south-central part of the park, also gorgeous, is near the Devil’s Kitchen geothermal area.
- Pomo Canyon in Sonoma State Park: Up and over a ridge from Goat Rock Beach , a quiet canyon holds 20 redwood shaded sites.
Plan B: Nearby Willow Creek Campground.
- Yosemite Creek Campground: If you’ve been thinking, “Gee, maybe it’d be fun to go camping at Yosemite this summer,” conventional wisdom would answer: “Wrong-o! Too late!” But there is an exception. Yosemite Creek—a large campground 5 miles up a bumpy winding road, off Tioga Road en route to Tuolumne Meadows—doesn’t take reservations. Your pine-shaded, creekside site will put you within an hour of Yosemite Valley and a half-hour of Tuolumne Meadows.
Plan B: The 57 sites at Porcupine Flat Campground, 3 miles farther up Tioga Road toward Tuolumne, are also no-reservation. BYO water. $10, $20 park entry; opens early July.
- Union Reservoir in Stanislaus National Forest: Sites are scattered judiciously in the pines along the edge of a small Sierra lake, miles from the nearest store or gas station. They come with peaceful water views, but without frills—frills like, say, tables, flush toilets, or trash cans. Tip: Bring a canoe and paddle your gear out to claim one of the reservoir’s small islands as your own mini kingdom for the weekend.
Plan B: Try the no-reservation campground at New Spicer Reservoir on the same turnoff from State 4
- Mary Smith atShasta-Trinity National Forest: Veteran San Francisco Chronicle outdoor writer Tom Stienstra calls this 18-site campground one of the prettiest in the state. We heartily agree: You have a lake (Lewiston), you have mountains (the Trinity Alps), you have camping perfection.
Plan B: The 5 choice sites at Cooper Gulch, also on Lewiston Lake.
3. Eat Great and Don’t Break the Bank!
One of the cool things about using a conversion van, class B motorhome or RV for your summer getaway is you will get a chance to really sample some of the local, seasonal cuisine. Farmers’ markets usually occur on Saturday mornings. Read ahead and don’t be afraid to check out some of the area’s specialty produce or dishes.
Looking for a deal on a new or used class B motorhome? Classic Vans is the nation’s leader in road trip vehicles. We have a large variety of new and used conversion vans, mobility vans, class B motorhomes and RV’s. Call (866) 370-8222 to ask about our vehicle inventory and low-cost nationwide van delivery.
