Don’t run out to buy a tent if you don’t know that you’ll enjoy camping and take it up as a regular pastime. Novices who don’t own a full kit of gear can still treat their gang (dog included) to a “soft camping” family adventure. Here are five suggestions for easing your way—sans tent—into America’s favorite summer pastime:
• San Francisco/Petaluma North KOA: Bring your RV or rent a dog-friendly cabin and find out why this campground, with 312 sites on 70 acres, is rated one of the best in the West. Canine-centric amenities include a dog park and agility course, while for humans, there’s a swimming pool and full schedule of activities.
• Casini Ranch Family Campground, Duncans Mills, Sonoma County: This 110-acre private campground is strung out along a meandering mile of the deep-green Russian River. Bring your tent or RV, and your kayak or canoe and enjoy amenities including hot showers, a social hall, general store, movie nights, beach bonfires and hayrides.
• Santa Cruz/Monterey KOA, Watsonville, Monterey County: At this award-winning, dog-welcoming KOA just a mile inland from the coast, guests can choose an RV site, a tent site, an Airstream trailer rental or a cabin that provides shelter while you provide the sleeping bags. Kids get a bounce house and swimming pool; dogs get a playground and a pet bath. You can even have pizza delivered to your site.
• Coloma Resort & RV Park, El Dorado County: This family resort strung out along the American River in Gold Country (Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is just across the bridge) offers tent sites, RV sites, dog-friendly tent sites and pet-welcoming hard-sided cabins. Don’t forget inner tubes and gold pans!
• Yosemite Pines Resort, Groveland, Tuolumne County: Just 22 miles from Yosemite National Park, this popular base camp for visitors has dog-friendly cabins and tent sites. A big swimming pool, petting farm and even a gold mine are among the amenities.
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Photo Credit: Sara Jo Martin
