Norbert de Zwart

I will visit in Septmber with my wife Californie.My first stop will be in San Francisco,after that my destination will be the national parks.Can you inform me aspecially about staying in the parks?!We have good equipment but not yet so much experience!
And as you know there isn't so much wildlife in Holland!?(exept the zoo)Please supply with information and I will get back to if needed.

Paul Rabe

Welcome to our country -- we're glad you're coming here! Congratulations on your choices -- you have made some excellent ones. Some good URL's on all aspects of Yosemite (including lodging) are

www.yosemite.com

www.nps.gov/yose

www.sierranet.net/yosemite

Two thing to know is that, because the National Parks are NOT a zoo, (1) it is impossible to predict where or when you will see wildlife and (2) there is NO protection from wild animals. Even a deer will kill a human if it thinks you are a threat, and a squirrel you try to feed cookies to can give a nasty bite that will force you to get a rabies shot. Keep your distance from ALL animals in NPs!

I lived in California for seven years, my family STILL lives there, and I have travelled extensively throughout the area. If you have specific questions on sites, feel free to e-mail me.

Dayle

Norbert, I gave you some information on the posting "San Francisco to Yosemite". Seeing your message here I will add: Camping in California is a little different than in Europe. Our parks are very popular and will still be busy with both locals and tourists in September. Our camping spaces are designated (marked off), so the number of people camping in the park is limited to a certain number. I strongly recommend getting advance reservations. That information is probably available on the sites mentioned above. I have lived in California all my life and am a regular car camper, backpacker, and hiker in the parks. Just be careful to keep your distance from the wildlife and DO NOT FEED even the smallest animal. It's bad for them, and dangerous for you. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time! PS: If you go to Sequoia Natl Park, be sure to hike to the Crystal Cave and go early in the day. It's very beautiful and worth the hike.

kam

Hi and welcome to California! There's a good "overall" book entitled 22 days in California which some French friends of ours used a couple years ago. You can pick and choose what you want to see but it will give you the big picture of what's here. There is also "The Complete Guide to America's National Parks" available from the National Park Foundation, P.O Box 57473, Washington, D.C> 20037, which will tell you more than you could ever want to know. Yosemite is probably fully booked by now, but if so try Sequoia and Kings Canyon. A very beautiful park and not so popular is Pinnacles Monument, between SF and LA. Good luck and do follow the advice about the wildlife---be especially cautious about garbage which attracts bears!

bob brown

I assume from your "good equipment" comment that you will be camping. Regardless, you will get plenty of advice on seeing Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks. But let me suggest that you also journey up to Mount Lassen National Park. Then turn west to the coast and tour the redwood groves.
There are both state and national parks that have lovely redwood groves.

And, drive up into Oregon go north along the Oregon coast. It is spectacular. And Crater Lake is worth seeing. You will enjoy yourself.

kam

Just found a wonderful site for camping, not only in California--THe National Park Service at
www.nps.gov/index.html. Has more information than you'll ever need. Enjoy!