1 night motocamping recommendation from South San Jose

[HondaInTheSun]

Hi BARF!

I'm relatively new to riding in this area and wondering if anyone can give me a recommendation on a route / destination for a one night weekend camping trip with my 9 year old son.

We have an ST1300 and my son is good for about 4-5 hours riding from South San Jose. Hoping to find a scenic route that will bring us to a nice campsite that isn't too rustic / middle of nowhere, but at the same time is a bit quieter than a KOA.

Thanks in advance for any advice, I really appreciate it!

 

[BIG186]

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=570

Big Sur will not disappoint!

 

[HondaInTheSun]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll take a look.

 

[Entoptic]

Big Basin State Park. Close by, amazing camping and you get some twisties.

 

[BURNROPE]

Ditto Big Sur.

 

[bmwbob51]

Fremont Peak ! Great motorcycle road with incredible view!

 

[Dogfeathers]

Prewitt Ridge overlooking Big Sur off of Naciamento Ferguson Rd. View north and south of the ocean for 30 miles, maybe watch hang gliders launching. Great place just a few miles east of Hwy one but up at 1500 + - feet elevation.

 

[ST Guy]

Given the hot weather of late, definitely along the coast somewhere.

 

[ScottRNelson]

There are good camping areas by Del Valle in Livermore or on Mount Diablo.

If you want to be awakened by dirt bikes in the morning you could always try Carnegie east of Livermore or Frank Raines OHV park out Mines Road and down Del Puerto Canyon. :teeth

 

[davidji]

Can you make it 2 nights, so you can do an activity, explore, or maybe just hang out by a lake on the middle day?

Lots of good recommendations so far. Another option is heading for the mountains. Tioga Pass isn't open yet, but Ebbetts and Sonora are. Near Sonora Pass, Chipmunk Flat has dispersed camping, so you don't need to wait for a campground to open.

The Campground at Lake Alpine by Ebbetts Pass is slated to open later in the month.

A casual link up of a few passes should be easy to do in your overnight trip. Or even more casual if you add another night and explore a bit.

 

[revemup]

Fremont Peak is awesome when you're at the top! Views are spectacular.

 

[banshee01]

Fremont Peak is awesome when you're at the top! Views are spectacular.

Agreed but too hot for that imo during summer. Unless you like it hot :cool. Big sur area is the place to go during the summer although everyone will be there

 

[nebulous]

Pinnacles National Park

https://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm

Most of a dead Volcano.

 

[HondaInTheSun]

Thanks again for all the suggestions! Big Sur looks like it's already mostly booked for the summer, must be a popular spot! Great suggestions though!

 

[ST Guy]

Lime Kiln State Park.

Or, pull up Google maps, search for "camping" and then scroll around. There's quite a few along the coast heading south from Carmel.

 

[ST Guy]

Pinnacles National Park

https://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm

Most of a dead Volcano.

Actually, about half of the volcano. The other half is down near LA.

Pinnacles is great. Good hiking, some fun caves and a lake at the top. Check with the ranger if the caves are open to hike. You enter at the bottom and then come out near the top close to the lake. Bring quality headlamp and flashlight with extra batteries. Great fun.

Hotter than blazes, though. And watch for rattle snakes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinnacles_National_Park

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neenach_Volcano

 

[Dogfeathers]

Thanks again for all the suggestions! Big Sur looks like it's already mostly booked for the summer, must be a popular spot! Great suggestions though!

That would be the “formal” campgrounds down on highway 1, but up on the ridge, it is open, first come, first served, no reservations required. From San Jose you can easily get there early on Friday evening in time for a great sunset.