RV Vacation Idea - Exploring California Ghost Towns

We've had so much fun delivering the goods on great ghost towns in other states, we almost forgot to include California! For an RV camping vacation that's hauntingly spectacular, use these tips for exploring California ghost towns on your next trip.

San Bernardino Area Ghost Towns
Very near our El Monte RV Rentals San Bernardino RV Rentals location, you can explore ghost and historic mining towns to your heart's content. Twin cities along the Santa Ana River were once the largest between Los Angeles and New Mexico. A devastating flood in 1862, however, destroyed most of Agua Mansa and La Placita. Today, ghost town fans can visit the historic Agua Mansa Cemetery, with graves dating back to the 1840s, to learn more about San Bernardino County's earliest non-native settlers.

Ten miles from Barstow, discover Calico Town, the historic silver mining town that's a treasure for the entire family. With one third of this once-bustling mining town's structures still standing, your RV camping trip to Calico Town will provide an unforgettable glimpse into the California silver rush. Pan for gold, shop at the Mercantile and take the kids for a ride on the narrow gauge railway. A large RV campground onsite offers the amenities you'll appreciate after a day exploring Calico Town.

One more area for hardcore ghost town fans to explore is the Wildwash mining area east of Victorville. Numerous working mines, abandoned mines and rock houses can be found. Pay attention to private property signs and plan to hike this area to find clues of mining towns now vanished. While visiting both the Wildwash area ghost towns and Calico Town, why not park your RV at the Mojave Narrows Regional Park campground? These lakeside campsites are sure to soothe your spirits after a long day of hiking.

Sacramento Area Ghost Towns
Swing by our El Monte RV Sacramento Rentals location for the perfect motorhome rental, and then head south to the historic town of Locke. Locke is a delightful place to spend several days exploring. Built in 1915 by Chinese merchants, it has remained a marvelously quirky village with narrow streets, abandoned buildings mixed in with thriving businesses and its own unique atmosphere. Explore the only completely Chinese California ghost town, and stay in waterfront luxury at Snug Harbor RV Park in Walnut Grove.

While in Sacramento County, be sure to visit Folsom. Although still a living city, Folsom has incorporated its mining town past into an intriguing historic district. Located on the beautiful American River, just twenty miles from Sutters Mills, you'll find plenty of gold mining history to keep you busy in Folsom.

San Diego Area Ghost Towns
There are several fascinating ghost towns in the San Diego area. Start your trip at Stonewall Mine in Cuyamuca State Park. The collapsed mine shaft and a few ruins, as well as a cabin/museum mark a place where over one million dollars in gold was mined.

Vallecito stage station was rebuilt in the 1930s so that visitors to the area could have a taste of California's early history. To the north, visit Banner to see the remains of a mining town struck by three floods and a fire before being abandoned. While you're in the area, don't miss Julian, CA, a beautiful historic gold mining town that caters to history buffs. If San Diego County is your preferred ghost town exploration destination, be sure to reserve your RV first at our San Diego/Santee El Monte RV Rentals location.

Learning about the past while exploring abandoned or historic towns in a fantastic way to spend an RV camping vacation. Choose a comfortable RV as your home for the duration, and pack your camera and hiking boots. Who knows? Exploring ghost towns in California just might become a lifetime obsession!

Gemstone Hunting RV Camping Ideas in California

There are so many possibilities for mining gem-rich ore in California. A popular stop for gem lovers hoping to find green or pink California tourmaline is the world famous Himalaya Mine near Santa Ysabel in San Diego County. Prospectors can purchase buckets of gem ore to screen onsite with equipment furnished by the Mine. Lake Henshaw Resort, adjacent to the Mine, is a beautiful site for RV camping, lake fishing and plenty of hiking in the foothills of the Palomar Mountains.

Another real gem for RV camping prospectors is found right in the same county! Oceanview Mine in Pala, California charges a set fee that allows gem hunters to screen fresh, unprospected mine tailings all day long. Recent visitor finds include aquamarine and many colors of tourmaline.

For your RV Rental needs in San Diego County, be sure to check out the El Monte RV San Diego RV Rentals location.

About two hours southwest of Fresno, screen for benitoite, California's state gem. The California State Gem Mine near Coalinga is open most weekends to prospectors. Dry camp your RV at nearby Los Gatos Creek County Park and spend the day sifting mine tailings near where a fabulous 34 carat rough benitoite was recently found!

El Monte RV has numerous California RV Rentals locations that you can use for a gem hunting RV vacation starting point.

Fishing New Melones Lake, California

We're hearing great reports from RV campers who have discovered New Melones Lake in California's gold rush Country. Nestled in Calaveras County, New Melones Lake is a fisherman's dream come true. With one hundred miles of shoreline, this scenic lake is home to trout, catfish and bass fishing year-round.

Recent fishing reports from the lake boast of rainbow trout over three pounds. Bass, which are strictly catch and release, are giving fishermen plenty of action. There are also monster catfish at the lake that guarantee some great fish stories back home.

Don't have a boat? No worries, if you make your RV vacation trip during cooler months. Plenty of fish are caught right off the bank from November to late spring.

The uncrowded shores of New Melones Lake also make it the perfect place to spend an RV camping vacation. Hundreds of campsites managed by the Bureau of Reclamation are located around the lake in scenic campgrounds. Call for reservations before you head for New Melones, to insure the perfect campsite for your stay.

Hundreds of miles of wooded trails make biking and hiking great alternatives for the non-anglers in your party. The abundance of wildlife in the area, including osprey, deer and bald eagles, keep nature photographers busy year-round, as well.

When you're ready to take a break from fishing, visit Angels Camp nearby. This historic town has preserved the look and feel of a gold rush mining town and makes a great day trip for the fishing party.

For more information on fishing excursions, visit the fishing vacation section of Monty's Musings. Nearby El Monte RV Rental locations for a New Melones Lake fishing vacation include our Sacramento RV Rentals and Stockton RV Rentals locations.

El Monte RV Promoting Visiting Wine Country in an RV

El Monte RV Rentals is promoting visiting wine country in an RV. See:

• California Wine Country Events on the El Monte RV Website
• El Monte RV Rentals Promotes Fall Travel in California Wine Country

If you ever have had the opportunity to check out the prices of the B&Bs and resorts in California's wine country you would quickly come to realize that an RV rental is an excellent low-cost alternative for visiting wine country.

See the Wine Road Less Traveled's Wine Events Calendar for more California wine events.

Additional California Wine Country Resources

• California Wines
• Mendocino Winegrape & Wine Commission
• Napa Valley Grapegrowers
• Napa Valley Vintners
• Sonoma County Vintners
• Sonoma County Winegrape Commission

RV Parks in California Wine Country (Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma)

Some places to stay when RV camping to wine country:

• Mendocino Campgrounds & RV Parks
• Napa Valley Exposition RV Park
• Napa County Fairgrounds RV Park
• Skyline Wilderness Park
• Sonoma County RV Camping from the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau
• Wine Country RV Park - Sonoma Grove

RV Rentals for a California Wine Country RV Vacation

To get set up for the perfect California wine country RV vacation, check out the California RV Vacation and Rental Resources page.

Fishing Folsom Lake, California

Folsom Lake is part of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (SRA). It is located at the base of the Sierra foothills about 25 miles east of Sacramento.

Fishing
Folsom lake fishing offers trout, catfish, large mouth, small mouth and spotted bass, and perch. Folsom Lake is perhaps best known as an excellent destination for bass fishing. Large fish can be caught by those willing to put in the time.

For additional information on the fishing at Folsom Lake see:

• Folsom Lake - Good Fishing for Sacramento Residents

Other Things to Do at the Folsom Lake SRA
The Folsom Lake SRA offers more than good fishing. Other things to do there include:

• A 32-mile long bicycle path (the American River Bicycle Path) that connects Folsom Lake with many Sacramento County parks.
• The Oaks Nature Trail that offers a trail of over three quarters of a mile that is appropriate for hikers of all fitness levels and is handicapped accessible.

Other Attractions Near Folsom Lake
Attractions that are within a 30 minute drive of Folsom Lake include:

• The California State Railroad Museum
• The Old Governor's Mansion
• The State Capitol Museum
• Sutter's Fort
• Marshall Gold Discovery State Park
• Auburn State Recreation Area
• California State University (CSUS) Aquatic Center

Campgrounds for RV Campers
There are two campgrounds near the lake that can accommodate RVs - the Beals Point Campground and the Peninsula Campground.

RV Rentals for a Visit to Folsom Lake
RV campers can easily pick up an RV from El Monte RV's Sacramento RV rentals location for an RV vacation trip to Folsom Lake.

Great California RV Camping Ideas

You want to visit California, but don't want to bother with hotels and rental cars. Why not travel by RV? Whether you're hitting the state's theme parks or national parks, capturing photos or catching the waves, it just makes sense to have a comfortable RV as your home base.

To make trip planning easier, here's a quick list of California RV camping ideas to stir your fantasies. Gather the family 'round and build your dream trip. You're going to love RV camping in California!

Attractions for the Kids
You can't travel California with kids without visiting one of the world-famous theme parks. Travelling by RV keeps trip costs reasonable - imagine what you'll save on hotel rooms, rental cars, and fast food!

Start your trip in Anaheim at that most famous of theme parks, Disneyland! And while you're there, save time to enjoy Disney's California Adventure. If travelling with Lego fanatics, head for Carlsbad, California to Legoland. A wild and crazy time awaits you as you discover rides, thrills and challenges for the entire family.

If vintage fun suits your fancy, spend your vacation in Santa Cruz and experience the ocean side amusement park at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The Giant Dipper roller coaster, built in 1924, is sure to thrill the kids, and don't miss the beautiful carousel that's been around since 1911. For families with lots of interests, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo offers sea creatures, thrilling rides and wildlife in the same theme park.

One last "must do" for theme park aficionados: the Wild West themed Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park. From Camp Snoopy to some of the most famous roller coasters in the world, you'll be glad you turned your RV toward Knotts Berry Farm.

Cruise the Beaches
Who could visit California without hitting the beach? With more than 450 beach destinations, you could spend a year on the road and not visit them all! California beach cities have become part of American legend - Malibu, La Jolla and Monterey. Add some time there to your family's own legends by cruising the coastline in motor home comfort.

Let Your Family Go Wild
Another way to experience California is to really get into the wild. With nearly thirty National Parks Service sites in California, your kids can explore nature and history the entire summer. Head for Muir Woods National Monument, part of San Francisco's Golden Gate National Recreation Area, where giant coastal redwoods have been preserved and studied for a century. At northern California's Lassen Volcanic, see where volcanoes have erupted in the past one hundred years! Yosemite, Sequoia and King's Canyon - if you've been meaning to visit one of California's historic National Parks, why not do it this year? Most National Parks offer easy RV camping, so even the least hardy camper can experience it all!

And don't leave California's state parks off your list. Treat your family to spectacular views and wildlife photo opportunities as you hike the trails of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. Fish for bass and hit the cycling trails at Folsom Lake. If you've never experienced the California desert, Anza-Borrego State Park is the place to go. The variety of wildlife you'll find there, from bighorn sheep to roadrunners, will excite the most jaded city dweller.

Whether you're looking for the endless wave or craving a wild ride on a roller coaster, an RV journey through California is the cure. Winter or summer, there's something fascinating to see in California. Plot your course, rent your RV and get started!

Renting An RV for Your California RV Camping Vacation

El Monte RV is your place for RV rentals in the State of California. With over 20 locations in the Golden State, you are never too far from an El Monte RV rental for your California RV Vacation Adventure. Rental locations include: