The California Great Outdoors provides individuals, couples and families opportunities for adventure, sport and tranquility along the Pacific Coast beaches, crystal-blue lakes and national forests. Places such as Mammoth, Big Bear, Bishop, Santa Barbara and the Bay Area provide camping retreats with solid fishing spots. If you are looking for an escape that offers excellent fishing opportunities, camping and recreational activities in ideal weather conditions year-round, then California can present you with a multitude of vacation spots in both the northern and southern regions.
Types
Camping offers you an inexpensive way to take a vacation and experience the Great Outdoors. However, whether you choose to camp in a recreational vehicle (RV) or tent, reservations are strongly recommended. Both RV and tent camping offer different benefits, so it really becomes a matter of how adventurous and rugged a camping trip you're willing to take. Most RV parks in California provide water and electric hookups in addition to bathroom, showers, picnic areas and cooking facilities. Tent campers enjoy mobility and the privacy of more secluded or less congested area.
Regions
California is broken into three regions--Northern, Southern and Central--that have a distinctive appeal. Northern California offers a cooler climate with heavy forested areas, rolling hills and lakes stocked with trout and salmon. It includes areas such as Lake Tahoe, the Bay Area, Redwood National State Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Central California has mostly flat desert, with some mountain ranges offering lakes, streams, rivers and ocean fisheries in areas such as the Sequoia and Kings National Park, Morro Bay State Park, Big Sur and Monterey Bay. Southern California provides opportunities to camp on the beach or in the mountains while being able to catch trout, bass, crappie and catfish. You can reserve your spots in the Angeles National Forest, Catalina Island, Big Bear and the San Bernardino Mountains.
National Parks
Yosemite National Park, home to more than 750,000 acres of wilderness and 13 different campgrounds, 10 of which accommodate RVs and trailers, offers you one of the best sites for both camping and fishing in Northern California. The season for stream and river fishing begins at the end of April and continues through mid-November. A multitude of rainbow and brown trout swim in these waters, and you must purchase a valid California Fishing License prior to casting your line. In addition to fishing, the campgrounds also allow for other activities such as biking, hiking, rock climbing, swimming and horse back riding just to name a few.
Considerations
In addition to fishing, camping vacations in California provide opportunities to swim, surf or kayak in the Pacific Ocean. Depending on the region that you select and whether you choose to go tent or RV camping, attractions near the campgrounds draw you to the Golden Coast. Northern California offers sites such as the Bay Area that include the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Southern California presents theme parks, casinos and golf courses.
Cost
Although camping may be less expensive than staying in cabins or hotels, this outdoor vacation still has its expenses. According to the National Park Service, entrance fees to national parks range anywhere from $8 to $25 per vehicle. In addition, you will also have to pay daily campsite fees. This usually ranges anywhere from $5 to $50. RV Resorts tend to be on the pricier side as they offer additional amenities such as pools, recreation halls, dump stations, hookups, bait and tackle shops, showers and laundry facilities. If you are fishing, you would also purchase a fishing license that can vary in price depending on the type of license. These include resident sport fishing; nonresident sport fishing; and one-day, two-day or 10-day sport fishing licenses. As of 2010, license fees are anywhere from $42 to $112.
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