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July 2005
Am looking for a cabin to rent (big or small, simple or fancy) that is actually on the
lakeshore of any pretty lake that is big enough for fishing. A lodge/rustic resort on
a lake would also work. Ideally it's within a 3-4 hour drive from Bay Area, but please
recommend any others farther away also. Timing is flexible, just sometime this
summer/fall, for up to a week. Am from the Midwest, where this is not as hard to
find.... Please help!
hopefully goin' fishing?
Try Lake Berryessa. Steele Cove Resort has great cabins with kitchens for rent. It is a bit expensive but worth it since you are right on the water...
happy camper
May 2005
I am looking for a warm lake to take my 4 year old for a three
day weekend (camping or a cabin OK). Would love quiet beautiful
setting.
Has anyone been to Blue lakes near Clearlakes? Alternatively, any
great suggestions for camping or a cabin on the beach south of
Santa Cruz? Recommendation would be most welcome, many thanks, Eva
Eva
Lake Siskiyou is a gorgeous setting. The shallower water is warm
but the outer water is refreshingly cool. It has a roped-off area
(LARGE) for swimming and the rest of the lake has a max MPH of 5
or 10, so it's quiet and wonderful, and has a sand beach. The
campsites are set back from the lake a ways (so NO mosquitos!)
but the distance is easily bikeable. They have nightly movies in
an outdoor amphitheater. We've really enjoyed it!
It's a private campground, but we have been very pleased.
http://www.lakesis.com/ If you're interested, I'll dig out our
list of ''well shaded, lots of level ground, near toilets/showers''
sites.
Jennie
May 2005
We would like to take our 8-month old to a lake resort in the
sierras, ideally to a location no more than a 3 hour drive from
Berkeley. Alternatively, we might bite the bullet and truck up
to Tuolumne Meadows. Any recommendations on decent lake
resorts, or a solid campground near a lake we should try? We're
hoping to go the second week in June.
Thanks!
sarah
Not sure how much of a hike-in you want to do, but Lake
Margaret near Kirkwood is a hike-in of only a couple of miles,
if I remember correctly, and has easy camping right by the
lake. That said, most high-altitude places in the Sierra are
still covered in snow right now, and even mid-June may not be
completely melted out and dry. You may have to contend with
wet, swampy shores/campgrounds. Tuolumne Meadows will likely
not be accessible until July, as the road (Hwy 120) may not be
plowed until then. Check the National Park Service website for
updates on the Tioga Pass plowing schedule. You may need to
opt for a lower-altitude lake resort, something like Lake
Shasta, but I have never been there and really don't know how
cold the water/air temps will be, that early in the summer.
Good luck!
Noreen
Check out Lake Alpine - it is just past Bear Valley at the foot
of the Sierras. It's a 3 hour drive from Berkeley (we have a
place near there) - BUT you have to be sure to time it right
and not get stuck on 580 down near Stockton/Dublin, or it will
add at least 1 hour.
There is national forest near there and many places to stay in
Arnold (about 30mins before Lake Alpine).
The great thing about Lake Alpine is its a no-motor lake, so
only canoes, kayaks, etc. - so you don't have to worry about
getting run over and great for little ones.
Good luck, and have fun.
Anon
July 2001
We are heading off on our annual two-week camping excursion with our two
kids, ages almost 8 and almost 6 - the kids are real pros when it comes to
the wilderness and have been camping since before they could walk. This
year, we have added into the mix a little family boat, as my husband has
recently discovered the pleasures of lake fishing. So, I'd love
recommendations from fellow campers for the following: a peaceful setting,
where we could transport stuff from the car, via the boat, and camp
lakeside (this would be the ideal), or just some special lakes, in lovely
settings, that would provide the respite we need from noise, crowds,
technology. We are open to which direction we will be traveling in, and
are willing to do some serious driving to get far enough away to reach
peace. I'd also love ideas for special camping sites that don't involve
lake travel.
Deborah
I recommend Huntington Lake. You go to Fresno, turn left and go east until
you reach
7,000 ft. The lake is beautiful and allows no jet skiing or water skiing so
the noise level
is very quiet. We would take a little 6 man fishing boat with a small
outboard motor.
Here is more information.
http://www.wildernet.com/pages/area.cfm?areaID=CAFSHLRA&CU_ID=1
Julene
We just spent a week camping at Lassen National Park ... our campsite
was near Summit Lake, which was like a lake out of
a fairy tale ... (see Lassen National Park
recommendations for the rest of this review.
2001
Looking for recommendations for places to go camping w/lake swimming (relatively WARM
water, i.e. not Lake Tahoe)within a 2 to 4-hour drive of the Bay Area. We prefer camping
areas where there's some space between campsites -- looking for a little peace, quiet and
privacy. And of course, a beautiful natural setting. I've looked on the Web site, not much
there.
Colleen
I fear you may be seeking the impossible. Having just planned a California camping
summer vacation for our family I can recommend a really good book. It's Moon Publications,
Northern California Handbook. It includes SF Bay Area, Sonoma, Redwood coast (further
than 2-3 hours from SF). There's a long list of lakes in the index. I know you can get this
book at the Travel Store on Rose and Shattuck in Berkeley. Lake Berryessa has camping
(according to this book), Lake Pillsbury, near ClearLake has camping, swimming etc. Clear
Lake itself may be a good camping area. There are many more lakes north of Tahoe, east of
Redding, on the North Coast, but all of these are a longer drive. Have fun in your search,
and happy camping.
June
We go to Lake Melones in the gold country ... (see recommendation above)
May 2003
I am due in October and must take a vacation this summer before
baby number 2 pops out. I'm looking to rent a kid-friendly
cabin for about a week (we'll be 4 adults and 2 kids). Ideally
it would be somewhere warm with good swimming, and not more than
4 hours away (I know I'm not asking for much!). Any ideas?
AW
Recommendations received:
Arnold
Bass Lake
Lake Tahoe
Sonora (2)
March 2004
I wonder if anyone has any leads about possible cabin rentals
for this summer at Fallen Leaf Lake, especially on the west side
(where the road does not go through to the lodge)? I would be
VERY GRATEFUL for any suggestions.
Thanks,
Rachel
My in-laws own a vacation home at Fallen Leaf Lake, and though
they don't rent their house out, I thought they might know
someone who does. They gave me the following info:
Eric Thaden is a local real estate agent specializing in FLL.
Try him at the following numbers:
530 541-7540 FL Properties
530 573-2873 (more recent number?)
800 322-6130 Chase International Tahoe
Holly
Re: Visiting Lake Comoanche (July 2002)
I was just reading a comment posted by your organization about Lake
Comanche, I am not sure how long ago the message was posted, but I
just wanted to let you know of a a beautiful a fun lake to take your
children to. It is Lake McSwain and it is located in Snelling it is a
little further drive than Comanche but well worth the trip. We take
our children there at least 5-10 times a summer. There are no Jet Skis
allowed on the lake and although there are boats allowed they are only
allowed in one area and they have a no wake policy so the only boats
you will see are fishing boats slowly trolling on the lake. No where
near the beach for swimming. The beach for swimming by the way is just
beautiful the water is always clear and the children can walk out
fairly close to the middle of the lake before it is even close to
being too deep. It is just wonderful. There is a secret however, when
camping the overflow camping area is the best spot (the only bad part
is that part is on a first come first serve basis) however we have
always gotten it when we go so it is not too crowded. It is very
family oriented and close to the overflow area are the bathrooms a
sand box with play equipment. Close enough for the parents to sit back
and relax at the campsite and kids at the playground it is about 25
feet away from the first 5 sites. Anyway just thought I would let you
in on one of my favorite family camping spots. I am not a member of
your group but it sounds like a great organization.
Andrea (Dec 2002)
Lake Melones
We go to Lake Melones in the gold country by Angles Camp in Calaveras County (home of
the famous jumping frog). The lake is huge and winding, with over 100 miles of shore line.
The weather in summer is sunny and HOT with air temp 100+ and lake water 80+. It's a
heaven for fishing, boating and water skiing, but also a great place to just swim - the water
is clear, still, and warm. Many people rent a house boat and stay for a week or more.
http://www.houseboats.com/melones/index.htm> The perfect way to end a day on the lake is
with a short drive into the town of Angles Camp for ice cream at the wonderful Bistro of
Angles. The hike down slope to the lake can be steep, and the beach is gravel - so bring good
tough water shoes like aqua-socks. Most sites will accommodate RVs, but there are no
hookups. The two big camp grounds (on opposite sides of the road) are Big Oak and Iron
Horse. There is also Tuttletown camp, not far away. The camp sites are relatively far apart,
but most are exposed to the sun. Bugs are not a problem, but bring a canopy to cover up.
They have flush toilets and showers. They don't take reservations, so come early for the
best spots. Lots of boats and water craft are available for rent. The Marina can be reached at
(209) 785-3300.
PeterAndBrian (2001)
March 2003
We spent a week at Gray Eagle Lodge last summer in the Lakes
Basin Region of the Sierras and had a wonderful time. Thinking
of going back this year and wondering if anyone has
recommendations of other places to stay. Sardine Lake Resort?
Buckhorn Lodge? Yuba River Inn? Gold Lake Lodge? Elwell Lakes
Lodge? Gray Eagle would be perfect except that it's not right
on a lake....
Ellen
Our family goes to the Lakes Basin area every summer. We always
stay at the Feather River Park Resort in Graeagle. It has
housekeeping cabins around a 9 hole golf course with a pool and
tennis courts. It's not far from the Feather River, so there
are a number of trails nearby that lead to the river. The only
catch is that families return year after year, so it's hard to
make a reservation. You should call after April 1, which is the
deadline for all of the ''regulars'' to send in their deposits for
this summer.
Good luck!
Ann
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