My fiance and I are planning a 2-week CA trip - flying into LAX on Sept 3 and out of SFO on Sept 16. We are driving our way up the coast (Route 1) and are considering doing some camping to cut down on cost of accommodations. I was hoping to get suggestions for scenic places to car camp en route.

While we are and open to any and all recommendations, we would particularly appreciate learning about good camping options in national parks (Sequoia, Yosemite, etc.), and/or near good (but not TOO strenuous) hikes or other attractions. Doesn't have to be along Route 1, as long as it's not more than a 200-300 mile (each way) diversion.

I should probably also mention that we may need to rent camping gear (tent, sleeping bags). Recommendations on where to do this would also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any guidance... I am just discovering this site and have already found it incredibly helpful!

Well, a place that is close to the 1 and is absolutely stunning is Montaña de Oro. The campsite is somewhat primitive, but is, in my opinion, an incredible opportunity to see California at her finest.

There is a trail that follows the length of the park, running along the coast, from which you can walk down to the water, play with rocks and shells, listen to blow holes, witness all sorts of sea life. I once saw a whale breech in front of the sunset! Mind blowing I tell ya! On that same trip we walked out on the sand spit and I found a sun-bleached rabbit skeleton, perfectly intact.

It's just a beautiful, beautiful place.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=592

Here are some pics that don't do it justice:

http://www.pickatrail.com/sun/m/amer...na_de_oro.html

Well, if those pics don't do it justice, I'd love to see the real thing! That is also an awesome web site you pointed me to - I love the videos of the different state parks. Thanks so much for your help cher_cher!

I'm sure there are lots of other great camping spots in CA so please keep the suggestions coming, everyone!

In september, the weather on the coast should be terrific - sunny, not too much fog. The valleys will probably still be kind of hot. The Sierras should be warm during the day and chilly at night.

I am assuming your 2 weeks include time in LA and SF, so you probably have 1 week on the road? Yosemite and Sequoia are a bit out of the way, but not too bad. You could head up the coast to about Monterey, then cut inland to Yosemite or Sequoia, then back to SF.

The Big Sur coast is incredible. There are several state parks along the way that have camping facilities - some are primitive and some have flush toilets and showers. Check out this site:

http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/camping.html

For Yosemite, there are several campgrounds in the valley - I would recommend staying in the valley for such a short stay. We usually stay at the Housekeeping Camp, which are tent cabins along the river. Camp Curry also has tent cabins, but we don't care for them because they are so close together and you can't have your own campfire or cook out there. For regular camping, Upper and Lower Pines are nice. Camp 4 is a popular camp for rock climbers. Here is the link to Yosemite camping:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/trip/camping.htm

Thanks for the tips, J - and especially appreciate the web site recommendations.