March 4, 2018 Baby Travel, Camping and Glamping, UK 1 Comment

A Log Cabin Break in the Forest of Dean…

A luxurious log cabin in the woods:

I’ve just got home from a four night break with Forest Holidays in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. We stayed in a luxurious log cabin with its own private hot tub nestled amongst woodland. The weather was perfect for cabin living, bright crisp, chilly mornings and some snow which made a dip in the hot tub even more fun. There was nothing but the rustling of leaves, birds tweeting and squirrels foraging in the undergrowth. It was so peaceful. Matt, Emily and I stayed with our friends Sam and Graham and Emily’s best baby buddy Heidi. Set over two floors our log cabin had four rooms, two doubles, one with an en suite and two twin rooms. We packed our own travel cots for the girls who had a room each. The cabin also had two family sized bathrooms, this meant there was ample room for us all to spread out. A spacious lounge with log burner and a floor to ceiling window overlooking the hot tub was a gorgeous place to relax. Plus a kitchen kitted out with everything imaginable for self catering made our stay a very comfortable one. Our log cabin also had an outdoor decked area with table, chairs and barbecue. We spent our days exploring the local area, followed by a soak in the hot tub and cosy evenings playing scrabble in front of the fire. The Forest Retreat, a café/bar area, reception and a small shop was a short stroll through the woods and across the meadow.

What I liked about Forest Holidays:

Someone checked the water quality and cleaned our hot tub everyday. A rubber duck was placed on top of the cover to let us know it was ready to use.
The hot tub water is changed before each new arrival.
The Forest Retreat was perfect for buying take away drinks, fresh bread and supplies. We also bought wood here for the log burner.
We loved ordering ‘room service’ to our cabin through the menu on the tv.
A small kitchen starter pack containing bin bags, a sponge and enough dishwasher tablets for the duration of our stay was a nice touch.
Ample towels were provided along with some for the hot tub.
We had stair gates for our little ones.
I loved the underfloor heating!
Choosing dates in between school holidays and being low season meant we got a great deal. Check out Forest Holidays for prices and locations.

What I didn’t like:

The table in the kitchen was too large, it was a struggle to move around if more than one person was in the kitchen at same time.
The stair gate wasn’t great. Although it was fixed in place for us, it ended up coming loose and unsafe so we took in down. This is probably something we should have mentioned at check out.
Check-in is at 4pm, for an early check-in from 2pm we had to pay £35. I thought this was a little on the steep side.
There was no ice-cube tray…sounds like a minor issue but ice is very important for a G&T! We got creative and filled egg cups with water. But for such a well equipped kitchen it is something I would have expected to find.

Things to do in the area:

This was my first visit to the Forest of Dean, I hadn’t realised there was so much see and do. From caves to waterfalls and hundreds of hiking trails I definitely need to go back to explore more. Beechenhurst has a café, children’s play area, a sculpture trail, climbing tower and Tree Top Junior. The café does a delicious sausage baguette and cup of tea too. Symonds Yat Rock is a must visit, the viewpoint is set high up above the River Wye and has gorgeous views. Biblins Bridge is fun to cross, the rope style suspension bridge is set over the River Wye. Only 6 people are allowed to cross over on it at once. I must admit I wasn’t overly sure about crossing over, but it turned out to be fun! It’s an adventure in itself getting to the bridge, start at Symonds Yat Rock viewpoint and walk down into the valley. The walk is sign posted and is around 2.8 miles. Jump on the little ferry by the Saracens Head, but double-check it’s running before commencing the walk as I don’t think it operates all year round. Once the other side of the river head for Biblins campsite. For more detail on this walk click here: Symonds Yat Rock to Biblins. We were unable to do the walk as we hadn’t bought our rucksack carrier for Emily, but we had a lot of fun trying to find it in the car. Unable to pinpoint an exact location on google map, I did some research and discovered we could get to the bridge through Biblins Campsite. We drove for a few miles along some very tiny lanes and eventually picked up signs for the campsite. We parked up and walked down a very steep track in the woods for around a mile until reaching the bottom of the valley and the bridge. Matt and I underestimated how steep the walk back up would be, a screaming, over tired Emily and two very sweaty parents pushing a buggy for a mile uphill was not a pretty sight! I found a great blog post from Family Days Tried and Tested about their Biblins Bridge adventure, they have some great images of their day out. If you have time it is worth driving over the border into Wales. We visited Brecon and absolutely loved the views of snowy mountainsides and driving on roads with not a soul around. If you are looking for a good soft play by the way there’s a fab one just before Brecon called The Play Barn.

January 28, 2018 Camping and Glamping, USA 1 Comment

Adventures in California with Jucy Campers…

*Thanks to Jucy for helping Matt, Emily and I make this road trip possible. Find out more at Jucy and follow them on social media @JUCYworld.

I LOVE a road trip; since Matt and I sold our campervan we’ve not had much of chance to go on van adventures. So when the opportunity popped up to plan a road trip with Jucy Campers in California we jumped at the chance. This was our first road trip with Emily who is 21 months old, so we wanted to make sure we did it right. The Jucy Trailblazer was the perfect size to accommodate the three of us without feeling too big. At night, Emily slept in the main part of the van with me, while Matt slept in the penthouse. We hired a car seat from Jucy as ours did not make it out on our flight from London, it cost a very reasonable $40. We found it took a bit more organisation to camp with Emily than we had been previously used to when it was just us; but we soon got into the swing of things. Emily loved hiding up in the penthouse and really enjoyed the freedom of exploring the campgrounds we stayed at. I love Jucy’s vans, you can’t miss the green and purple branding, it’s a real head turner. We got asked about our van by passers-by a lot, it seems it is quite an uncommon thing to see a small campervan in America. Big RVs with pop out sides towing cars are a very popular choices and made our Jucy van look like a baby in comparison! One huge positive of having a smaller vehicle is that it is perfect for navigating the small and winding national park roads as well as being able to fit into any campground or parking space you like. It might be compact but that doesn’t mean there is no space in these eye-catching beauties. Let me tell you more….

The Trailblazer sleeps four, the roof pops up to form ‘the penthouse’ and inside there is a very comfy double bed. A ladder attaches to the outside of the van for very easy access and it all zips up tight making it very cosy at night. I loved waking up in the morning, unzipping and admiring the view. If there is only two of you then sleeping up top means you can leave the rest of the van set up for ‘day use’. Downstairs the van has two bench seats with a fantastic amount of storage underneath and a table which can be stowed away too. The kitchen is in the boot and comes equipped with everything you need. Storage cupboards, two gas stoves, a chiller and a sink. Pots, pans, crockery cutlery and a bottle opener are all included. As is a duvet, pillows, blanket and towels, this is a great bonus as I’ve found in the past that this is something that not all hire companies provide free of charge.

For more tips and tricks on camping with little ones check out my blog post all about it: Road Tripping with a Baby in California. Read on for planning, packing, the route and our favourite spots…

Planning a road trip in California

First things first choose a rough route, you can book campgrounds before you go or if you prefer just rock up and see if there are spaces available. During peak seasons I would definitely recommend pre-booking campgrounds as popular ones often get reserved months in advance. Reserve California is brilliant for booking national park and state beach campgrounds. Search in the area you want to stay in and it’ll show you all the nearby campgrounds, it has an interactive map too. Visit California is a great website for planning and researching your road trip in California.

It’s always a good idea to check driving rules and regulations in the country you are visiting. In America they drive on the right hand side of the road and you can turn right on a red light. Also check tolls, these can be paid for online. If you are planning on driving over the Golden Gate Bridge make sure you pay for the toll using this website: goldengate.org

I always choose campgrounds with pitches that have a fire pit, there’s nothing like cooking on a fire by the beach or keep warming on chillier nights while stargazing.

There are often ‘camp hosts’ at campgrounds, they live on site and are there to help. You can usually purchase firewood from them for your campfire too. A lot of pitches in national park and state beach campgrounds come with benches and fire pits.

I find buying all your essentials once you’ve picked up your camper is a really good idea. Head to a supermarket for all your food supplies and firewood. That way you know you have everything you need for your road trip without having to worry about stopping later on in your journey.

It’s a good idea to buy water and keep a supply with you as national park and state beach campgrounds don’t always have drinking water.

Be sure to fuel up well in advance of getting low. Sometimes fuel stations can be few and far between, especially in more remotes spots such as Point Reyes National Seashore.

Our Route:

Starting in Marin County we picked up our van in Oakland and dropped it off in LA. Both collection and drop off was really straight forward. From Oakland we drove north to Point Reyes and worked our way down the coast towards San Diego, covering over 1000 miles in 7 days. *The route we chose had to be adapted slightly due to the wildfires in California and because of part of the Big Sur being closed after a land slide last

*The Big Sur re-opened in July 2018, two months ahead of schedule, so you can now drive all the way along this epic stretch of road.

Point Reyes National Seashore

After picking up our camper in Oakland we headed up north to Point Reyes National Seashore and stayed in an area called Inverness. This part of California is unlike any other I’ve been to before and reminded me of the Scottish Highlands; I guess quite fitting with the name Inverness too. Inverness felt like something out of Dawson’s Creek, dreamy sunrises over water inlets with rickety old wooden piers and rolling hills in the distance. It was so very tranquil, the days were sunny, if a little chilly and in the evenings all you needed was a jacket, beanie hat and campfire to warm up. Don’t miss the Cypress Tree Tunnel, it’s a very popular spot for photos and produces a very Instagrammable image! Point Reyes Lighthouse is also a must visit, the 308 steps are well worth the climb down and back up again. The views of nothing but uninterrupted ocean are out of this world. During whale season it is the perfect place to sit and stare out to sea on the lookout for these majestic creatures. At certain times of the day the lighthouse is open so you can have a look inside and learn a bit about its history.

The walk up to the lighthouse has incredible views of the rugged coastline, even on a foggy day you can’t not be impressed by the untouched beauty of this place. A short drive from the lighthouse near Chimney Rock elephant seals lazily snooze on the shoreline. This was on our itinerary but we completely forgot to stop there, so make sure you do!

I’d definitely wear layers on a trip here, the day started off warm but quickly changed to fog and drizzle. We warmed up after climbing back up from the lighthouse but quickly chilled down again.

Monterey

On the way to Monterey we chose our route so we would get to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge, It was such an awesome experience to drive over this iconic structure. We of course found somewhere to stop for photos too. There are viewpoints either side of the bridge, we stopped at Fort Baker. Check out Seven Places to Gaze at the Golden Gate Bridge for more locations.

Monterey is a gorgeous seaside town famous for sea lions, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row. Take a stroll along Fisherman’s Wharf and say hello to the sea lions, spend half a day exploring the aquarium and grab some lunch on Cannery Row. The waterfront street was once home to sardine canning factories and has kept much of its old industrial charm. I loved the aquarium and taking photos on Cannery Row, although a little touristy it was nice to soak up the atmosphere.

The Big Sur

This part of Highway 1 is undeniably one of the most stunning drives I have ever done. Rugged coastline, turquoise ocean and miles of open road. This stretch of the drive is pretty remote, forest on one side and coast on the other. *It’s worth noting that part of it is currently closed due to a landslide in 2017. But don’t let this stop you from planning an adventure along the Pacific Coast Highway, it can still be done. Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls are both beautiful must sees, the whole route is just so scenic and a photographers paradise. Plaskett Creek Campground opposite Sand Dollar Beach is a wonderful camping spot. Pitches come with a bench and fire pit. The campground has basic facilities with no showers but it’s worth it to be able to wake up to amazing views and complete silence. There are a whole host of campgrounds and lodges to stop the night at as well as eateries, we loved Big Sur Roadhouse.

If you are driving from the north you can still explore a lot of it and visit the famous natural landmarks dotted along the route. It is currently closed at Ragged Point. Either turn back on yourself or take a detour along Nacimiento-Fergusson Road back onto Highway 101, although the latter may not be the safest route to choose. The road is narrow and winds up through the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. The views are stunning but it is often only wide enough for one car and with a sheer drop off the edge of the road it is definitely not a route for larger vehicles or the faint hearted! We chose to drive back on ourselves and pick up Highway 1 at Monterey. Check this website for updates on the road closures along the Big Sur: bigsurcalifornia.org

*The Big Sur re-opened in July 2018, two months ahead of schedule, so you can now drive all the way along this epic stretch of road.

Carmel by the Sea

We briefly stopped in Carmel en route to Morro Bay. I adored this up-market seaside town, full of quirky side streets and oldy worldy homes. Clint Eastwood was once the mayor of Carmel, he also used to own the Hog’s Breath Inn, a quirky pub in the town. Don’t miss Carmel Bakery, they make delicious sandwiches and the array of cakes and sweet treats inside are to die for!

Morro Bay

We didn’t have a lot of time to explore Morro Bay as we arrived late afternoon and left early the following morning. We camped at Morro Strand State Beach Campground, overlooking the beach and Morro Rock; it’s a lovely spot. I loved getting cosy by the campfire while watching the waves roll in and waking up to the sounds of the ocean. Being able to step straight onto the beach was awesome and Emily loved hunting for sand dollars.

Carlsbad, Encinitas and Cardiff by the Sea

We spent a lot of time in the Carlsbad area as we stayed with family for Christmas while we were on our road trip. I adore the surfy town of Encinitas, every other person is a surfer and there is a brewpub on every corner. Our favourite was Bier Garden, Baja fish tacos with a beer here while watching the world go by was a real treat! Cardiff has beautiful beaches, the famous Los Olas Mexican restaurant and a campground on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Carlsbad is a great spot for stand up paddle boarding. We picked up boards at Sun Diego surf shop, first time rental is just $2 for a board and wetsuit. It’s two blocks to the beach so you might need a couple of rest stops on the way but it’s well worth it. We spotted dolphins and seals while on our paddle boards which was amazing to see!

Lake Jennings

The campground at Lake Jennings is another of my favourites, overlooking the lake it’s a peaceful spot with gorgeous views. Around 30 minutes drive east of San Diego the lake is a great base for exploring the city. Reserve a pitch overlooking the water, get the campfire going and relax with a beer in hand.

Packing essentials for camping:

Tea bags: Always at the top of my list for camping, you can’t beat a proper British cuppa!

Torch, tea lights and fairy lights: It’s handy to have a torch to light up your camp at night or to get to the toilets when it’s pitch black. Tea lights and fairy lights are of course optional, but I love making the van and our bench look a bit shabby chic and cosy in the evenings.

Anti-bac hand wipes: Good for cleaning the ‘kitchen surfaces’ and for your hands when cooking. Also a good cheat instead of washing up!

Zip lock bags: Handy for storing open food and keeping your van tidy.

Portable charger: Good for charging your phone, although the Jucy vans have USB ports so you can easily charge on the road.

Although there is ample storage I’d definitely recommend packing as lightly as you can. A lot of privately owned campgrounds often have washing facilities so there is the option to do laundry on the road.

There’s nothing like a road trip in a campervan. Having the freedom to go where you like and when you want is the best. Plus being able to stop at anytime along the way with all the essentials in the back is an awesome way to have an adventure. California was made for road trips and Jucy vans are made for exploring!

January 26, 2018 Baby Travel, Camping and Glamping, USA 3 Comments

Road Tripping with a Baby in California….

*Thanks to JUCY campers for helping Matt, Emily and I make this road trip possible. Find out more at JUCY and follow them on social media @JUCYworld.

Roadtripping with a baby in California…in a campervan. It might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but if you plan it right it’s the best way to explore and a fantastic way for kids to enjoy the outdoors. We’ve done a lot of road trips over the years; our last one with JUCY was back in 2013 in Australia and New Zealand. This trip was a bit different as we now have Emily who is 20 months old. Planning involved choosing shorter drives with more stops and campgrounds with good facilities. We chose to hire a campervan with JUCY as we hadused them before and loved the compact size of their vans.

One thing that I love about JUCY is that they provide everything you could possibly need to camp very comfortably. Pillows, duvets, bed linen and towels are all included as is kitchen utensils, crockery, cutlery and the kitchen sink. Not all camper companies provide all of this. For an extra charge you can hire camping chairs, sat nav, car seats and add-on mileage packages.

The trip didn’t get off to a great start, after landing in San Francisco I received a text from our airline to say our car seat hadn’t made it on our flight. Not good for a road trip! After the initial stress we hatched a plan, rather than wait for it to arrive which would ruin the beginning of our adventure we chose to hire one with JUCY. We found a taxi company who provided car seats to get us to the Jucy branch in Oakland and on arrival explained our problem. The lovely JUCY crew were so accommodating and had so many seats to choose from. At $40 for our whole 19-day trip it was a bargain.

The JUCY Trailblazer Van:

So let me tell you more about our van. We hired the JUCY Trailblazer, its compact size is perfect for winding national park roads and means you can park up anywhere and fit into pretty much any campground you fancy. This seems to be quite a unique concept for America as it’s all about the huge RVs that are the size of buses! We loved the size of this van, it was comfortable to drive and didn’t feel too big. The Trailblazer sleeps four, two in the roof and two in the main part of the camper. Inside the two bench seats convert into a bed and in the floor there is tons of storage space plus a table for use inside the van. The roof pops up with the turn of a handle or with the push of a button and reveals the comfiest double bed with canvas sides. The kitchen is at the back in the boot and comes complete with cupboard space, a chiller, sink and two gas stoves. There is everything you need from cutlery, to pots and pans, crockery and most importantly a kettle for a cuppa and a bottle opener for beer! I should mention the campers also come with DVD players. Emily and I slept in the main part of the van while Matt had the roof ‘penthouse’ all to himself. This set up worked well and it meant that there was plenty of space for Emily to move around in her sleep!

Useful tips and tricks:

Pick up your van and head straight to a supermarket to stock up on essentials, food, water, baby food, alcohol, (definitely an essential when camping with a toddler!) etc. We found this really useful to do before we set off, that way we knew we had all our supplies with us.

Hire a car seat or take your own, if we hadn’t needed ours for the car journey to and from the airport in the UK I would definitely have just hired it through Jucy.

Be sure to have a good supply of water with you as a lot of campgrounds, especially national park ones don’t have water on site. There are no on site stores either so it’s a good idea to take everything you’ll need with you. If you camp at a private campground that’s not owned by the National Park Service they will often have a camp shop with a few basic supplies.

We booked our campsites in advance but you can often turn up and enquire about availability. Some campgrounds only offer walk up sites while others have to be booked months in advance as they are so popular.

Be flexible, if you don’t have fixed dates, book campgrounds as you go along. Although now we have Emily we prefer to pre-book, but it’s sometimes fun to change plans and head somewhere different. Our plans altered slightly due to the wildfires in California

I would definitely recommend getting to campgrounds early in the afternoon to get set up and organised. On a few nights we were racing against the light and nearing Emily’s dinner time so it was sometimes a bit stressful. I struggled to get used to living with Emily in such a small space for the first few days but once we got organised and into a little routine it all worked out perfectly. She had so much fun checking out her new little home and loved exploring the penthouse.

Cooking was really easy, Emily enjoys a lot of finger food so we could whip up a little buffet style meal for her straight from the chiller or use the camping stove to heat up something warm. The kettle came in handy to boil water to heat through her bottles and she loved eating at the bench by the campfire.

We factored in our drives along our route to fit around Emily’s daily nap, which worked out really well.

Packing:

We tried to pack as minimally as we could due to space restrictions in the van, it was made a little bit harder by having to pack for colder conditions in northern California as well as for the sunnier part of our trip further down the coast. Plenty of private campgrounds do have washing machines so if you pack lightly you should be able to find laundry facilities at some point on your trip.

Some things I couldn’t live without when camping are:

Anti-bac wipes, tea bags, washing up liquid, sponge; snacks for Emily and nappies are all on my essential packing list. I love to have a few things with me before I arrive. Knowing I’ve got tea bags for a decent cuppa is always high on my packing list!

A torch or led lights are perfect for campfire cooking and going to and from the toilet block in the middle of the night.

Zip lock bags are great for storing perishables on the road.

A portable charger for your phone is always a good thing to have. There were USB ports in our Jucy van so we were able to charge phones on the road.

Our favourite campgrounds:

Morro Strand State Beach Bay: Right on the beach, the facilities are basic and there are no showers but it’s worth it for the views and beach access. Pitches have a fire pit and bench. We had a pitch overlooking the beach, I loved lying in bed listening to the ocean.

Carpinteria State Beach: A really nice, clean campsite by the beach, walking distance to a few local shops and a lovely spot for building sand castles.

Lake Jennings Campground: Around 30 minutes east of San Diego this is a gorgeous campground overlooking the lake. Popular with fishermen it’s a quiet spot. Sites have a bench and fire pit, we chose a really lovely one with fantastic views of the water. Don’t expect much from the toilet and shower block as it was pretty basic but they were clean and tidy. The campground also has a play park.

A campervan is perfect for a road trip, choose your route, stop for a cuppa along the way and park up for the night at beach campground. It’s really easy to do with a baby too, it just involves a little bit more planning and organisation. We soon got the hang of it and enjoyed exploring at a slower pace than before we had Emily. There’s nothing quite like having the freedom to explore in a very cool van with everything you could possibly need to have an awesome adventure!

Do you camp or go on road trips with your kids? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear all about your adventures…

September 10, 2017 Bali, Camping and Glamping 4 Comments

The ultimate glamping retreat in Bali…

If you are a follower of my blog then you’ll know that I love nothing more than a spot of glamping. From a beach hut to a bus I’ve glamped in some pretty cool places, so when I was invited to stay at Sandat Glamping Resort I jumped at the chance to experience a night in a safari tent. The tents at Sandat are hidden away among rice paddies and jungle on the outskirts of Ubud in Bali. Having been staying in the beach town of Sanur I was looking forward to staying somewhere a bit more remote. Leaving the bustling streets of Ubud behind it was like nothing I had experienced before. I often mention that the journey is all part of the adventure and this journey was no exception. We drove along a tiny winding track with nothing but rice paddies either side, lush and green the landscape was in complete contrast to the beach scene we’d become so familiar with. Arriving at Sandat we were greeted by friendly faces and escorted to our ‘room’ past the incredible looking restaurant and along a tiny path with jungle foliage either side. Ylang Ylang was to be our own little piece of paradise for the night. Just before the entrance we were shown the bell that staff ring before entering, a lovely idea for in-tent privacy. When we turned the corner I gasped in excitement at the gorgeous plunge pool and equally gorgeous safari tent, fully decked out with everything you could ever need for a very unique glamping experience. A huge and very comfy circular bed in the centre of the tent, tea and coffee-making facilities, water and mini bar. There are no TVs in the tents, it is glamping after all. WIFI is however available so you don’t feel completely cut off. The bathroom had the coolest sink, a fabulous shower with hot water and of course a toilet with what has to be the best view of nothing but jungle!! The interior of the tent was just perfect, cosy lighting, gorgeous mosquito nets draped over the bed and rustic furniture. I should mention one of my favourite bits, there are no phones in the tents so to call for room service or anything else you may need each tent has its own instrument with unique sound so staff recognise which tent is calling. I found this whole idea such a novelty and it works! After scouring the fantastic drinks and cocktail menu I stepped outside the tent and made ‘the call’, ordering two Mimosas, such fun! Ylang Ylang was just far enough to feel completely secluded but only a few steps from the restaurant and bar, the dreamy plunge pool was very private and surrounded by nothing but tropical forest; perfect for a late night skinny dip! At night we lay in bed listening to the sounds of the jungle as it came alive with the hum of crickets and frogs, with just canvas between us and the outside it was a wonderful way to fall asleep.

Sandat is a small, intimate resort with only five tents and three Lumbung barns, traditional two storey thatched rice barns with a shared pool. Italian owners, Emanuela and Federico have created luxurious interiors throughout the resort, oozing style and sophistication The main restaurant and bar area is a huge bamboo structure with an elegant dining space and cosy corner with sofa and candles, the perfect place to enjoy an after dinner drink. I loved the wall of mirrors adding to the gorgeous boutique feel of the stunning eco-friendly structure.

To top it all off the food at Sandat is to die for! Dinner was exceptional, I chose a tuna dish and banana fritters for dessert paired with an Indonesian white wine. It was all so good, I didn’t want it to end! Choose to eat breakfast in the restaurant or have it delivered to your tent, we chose the latter option and weren’t disappointed, homemade granola, fruit and yogurt, traditional Indonesian pastries, freshly squeezed juice and warm bread all went down a treat.

Sandat Glamping is kitsch, cool and totally back to nature, topped off with attentive staff and amazing food, this is the place to head for a completely different experience in Bali. It is also Bali’s only glamping resort and a must for anyone who is looking for a luxurious retreat among the rice fields of Ubud.

A huge thank you to Emanuela and Federico for having us at Sandat, my stay was complimentary in exchange for this review but as ever views and opinions are all my own.

Me sat by our plunge pool at Sandat Glamping Resort Ubud.

An interior shot of the bed in our tent at Sandat Glamping Resort, Ubud.

Rice fields by Sandat Glamping Resort, Ubud.

February 17, 2017 Camping and Glamping, USA 2 Comments

9 things to do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park…

Updated March 2025

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in California is located high up in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. There are two entrances into the park, the 198 from the Ash Mountain entrance is my favourite. With 130 curves on the drive and 12 switchbacks it is quite an experience(!) and climbs quickly up in altitude (you can feel your ears popping) with some fantastic views of the mountains and further up the enormous trees. It’s probably not the best route to take if travelling in a large RV though. The other entrance, Big Stump is a slightly easier drive on the 180 from Fresno and a more direct route into Kings Canyon. Entrance to the park costs $35 for 7 days, purchase a pass online. Fuel up on the drive in, on the 180 there’s a fuel station in Dunlap or at Three Rivers on the 198. Once in Sequoia there is no fuel except for Stony Creek Village in the summer. The only other option is Hume Lake, 11 miles from Grant Gove Village, outside the national park boundary. Two parks in one, Sequoia and Kings Canyon are famous for the huge trees which grace the high country forests here. Sequoias are the largest trees in the world and live for thousands of years, some of them are so big you can walk through them. Read on for my nine must do’s up in the High Sierra.

1. Climb Moro Rock

This huge dome-shaped rock has 400 steps carved into the rock face, climb them to reach the top at an elevation of 6725 feet. If that doesn’t sound hard enough, there’s also the altitude to contend with. Everything feels a lot harder work at this height! The route up is an interesting one, the views are beautiful but I had to keep an eye on my feet! At one point it looks like the path ends, instead you take a sharp right and continue through a narrow passage way between the rock. With only a tiny metal hand rail guarding the edges at some points and sometimes nothing guarding the edge it feels a little scary at times so be sure to wear some decent footwear and don’t be put off the 0.25 mile climb is well worth it. There are plenty of spots to stop on the way up to admire the beautiful never-ending views and to catch your breath too. Once at the top the panoramic views are breathtaking, walking along to the end of the rock feels like you are on top of the world. The Great Western Divide, Mount Whitney, huge canyons and Highway 198, twisting and turning up the mountain-side can all be seen. Don’t venture up Moro Rock during thunder storms, it can be extremely dangerous as being so exposed the rock is a magnet for lightning strikes.

2. Drive through a tree

Driving through a tree certainly isn’t something you get to do everyday, Tunnel Log near Moro Rock fell over the road in 1937 and a tunnel 17 feet wide and 8 feet high was cut through it. Go early to avoid the crowds or slightly out of season to have the tree all to yourself.

3. Sleep in a cabin

A stay in a rustic cabin has to be the ultimate national park experience. Up at 6589 feet surrounded by ancient trees and waking up to crisp, fresh mountain air is wonderful. I loved staying in Grant Grove Cabins. Located in Grant Grove village in Kings Canyon there’s a shop, post office and a restaurant. No phone signal really makes you feel like you are in the wilderness. If you need to be connected to the world then a short stroll to John Muir Lodge for WiFi and a beer by a roaring fire-place is a nice way to warm up in the chillier months. Whilst charming, the cabin was a little bit rough around the edges, I wouldn’t recommend them for their cleanliness as it leant more on the shabby than the chic! Don’t get me wrong it didn’t ruin my stay, the cabins are in a fantastic location and I loved the quaintness but a simple hoover, dust and scrub could have made our cabin feel a whole lot better. Matt, Emily and I stayed in a duplex cabin with two double beds and a bathroom, there are other cabins too with outdoor log burners. We would have loved to have stayed in one of these but with a baby decided it would be easier to have our own bathroom, as these ones have shared toilet and shower facilities. Seeing raccoons near our front door was such a novelty, one evening we were having drink on our porch when we were joined by a family of nine, you don’t see that in England!

4. Stargaze

Little to no light pollution in the skies above Sequoia makes it an awesome place for stargazing. Standing outside our cabin at night, I would stare up at the sky for an age not wanting to take my eyes off it for a moment incase I missed something. Shooting stars and millions of twinkles in the fresh night sky with pretty much no light pollution is just incredible to witness.

5. Watch the sunset

Find a lookout out point and just take in the views of the Big Sierra as the colours change over the mountains and the sun goes down. We stopped at a viewpoint along Generals Highway to capture these beauties…

6. Walk amongst huge trees

There are so many spots to see big trees, they are hard to miss! General Sherman Tree in the Giant Forest is the worlds largest tree by volume, with a height of almost 275 feet and a circumference of 102.6 feet it’s a whooper! To put it into perspective this makes it nearly the same height as the Statue of Liberty. Grant Grove is home to the General Grant Tree, a short loop passes the tree which is known as ‘The Nation’s Christmas Tree’. The Fallen Monarch is also on the same loop, you can walk through a huge length of this fallen tree. The tree trail can get quite busy but take a short stroll off the beaten track and admire these giants all by yourself.

7. Go bear spotting

I have visited Sequoia National Park twice, on the first trip in August 2015 Matt and I were lucky to have three black bear sightings. If camping be sure to keep all food and toiletries in a bear box provided to prevent them from being attracted to anything that is scented, not just food but also toiletries. Anyway back to the sightings…the first sighting was actually in our campground. We had just arrived and parked up our van for the evening when we heard a lot of commotion coming from some other campers. It turns out a mother and baby had wandered into the campground. One of the ways to get them to leave is by making a lot of noise; we just saw their backs as they disappeared. The second sighting was a bear casually strolling a short distance away from our van while we were having breakfast and the third was on my birthday. We were on our way back from a hike to Tokapah Falls when we spotted a bear along the river. We watched it cross over and pass the footpath we were on. It didn’t seem to notice us, or if it did it luckily wasn’t interested in us and foraged around in the undergrowth for a while before disappearing. It was incredible and something I will remember for a long time to come! For info on bear encounters and how to stay safe visit the Sequoia and Kings Canyon website: www.nps.gov.

8. Admire the views

Apart from hiking another way to explore Sequoia is by car. Spot huge trees to have selfies by and pull over for beautiful panoramic mountain and forest views. Make time to stop at viewpoints on Generals Highway, there are some great spots with beautiful views of the High Sierra. Panoramic Point at Grant Grove Village is the place to see Kings Canyon in all its glory, at 7520 ft it’s high up! Mountain peaks, valleys and Hume Lake can all be spotted and benches are conveniently placed to sit and admire the view. Hume Lake in Sequoia National Forest is a 20 minute drive from Grant Grove Village, it’s a nice area for lunch and a stroll. The drive is also a very scenic one, there are incredible lookout points over Kings Canyon and the twisting Scenic Byway to Cedar Grove below.

9. Take a hike

There are so many places to walk in Sequoia from short strolls to overnight backcountry hikes. My favourite walk has to be the trail to Tokopah Falls from Lodgepole campground. At just over 4 miles there and back it’s such a scenic hike. Huge granite cliffs tower high above as you pass through forest along the Kaweah River and by alpine meadows. It’s a steady climb up to the falls through a glacial valley. There’s a point where the trail turns into a short clamber around some giant boulders, but that just adds to the fun! The trail finishes at the falls, so sit and just take it all in. The water cascades down a steep rock face, look back towards the trail and the whole valley opens up, just beautiful. Look out for bears too, Matt and I spotted one by the river on the walk back. If this is the only walk you do whilst in Sequoia then you won’t be disappointed, it ticks all the outdoor adventure boxes! Another nice walk is Dead Giant Loop which starts from the Grant Tree parking lot. It’s a nice walk to escape the General Grant Tree crowds and a short and straight forward one too. A 2.2 mile round trip through forest and along Lion Meadow leads to a viewpoint overlooking Sequoia Lake. It is a very peaceful place to stop for lunch and although not a long walk it had a nice feeling of remoteness.

For more on things to do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park and camping on the coast in California check out my other posts:

The Big Sur stretches roughly from Carmel to San Simeon along California’s stunning coastline for around 85 miles. It doesn’t have an official start or finish, so I thought this quote from the Lonely Planet guide to California summed it up perfectly: “Big Sur is more of a state of mind than a place.” I had read so much about this beautiful stretch of coastline along Highway 1 before I arrived in California but I didn’t expect it to be so cut off from the rest of California, it is literally one winding road with ocean on one side and rocky cliff overhangs or forest on the other. There was pretty much no phone signal on the entire route either. This is something I actually love when I’m away, that feeling of being totally cut off from the rest of the world for a short time to just be able to completely focus on new surroundings, take it all in and relax.

Matt and I drove Highway 1 from San Francisco to Los Angeles, I would really recommend driving south along the Big Sur with the ocean on the right hand side. All the lay-bys and viewpoints are on this side of the road so it makes it a lot easier to pull over and pull out again when it is busy.

There is so much to see and do on this part of the Pacific Coast Highway, it could be done in one day but the road is pretty small and slow with sharp corners at times. Plus with plenty of viewpoints along the way you definitely don’t want to rush. We stopped for the night at a campground, it really added to the experience.

Here are my 9 favourite things to do…

1. See elephant seals

Point Piedras Blancas is the place to stop to see an elephant seal rookery. Elephant seals can spend up to 10 months at sea and are able to dive an incredible depth of 1000 – 3000 ft. Males can grow up to 16ft in length and weigh as much as 2300kg. These magnificent creatures are huge and very noisy! Watch males tussling in the water for rights over females while the rest snooze and laze around on the sand. Grunting, snorting and belching are to name just a few of the strange noises that can be heard coming from the beach! For more information check out: www.elephantseal.org.

2. Have a glass of wine at Nepenthe

This lovely little spot has two options for eating and drinking, Nepenthe Restaurant or Café Kevah. It is the perfect place or excuse to have a rest on your drive with an afternoon beverage and a chance to take in those stunning views. Both eateries are situated high up with gorgeous views of the rugged coastline and Pacific Ocean. Matt and I chose to visit the restaurant, as it was higher up, the only trouble was the sea mist had come in and through the fog we could see nothing! Still, it was nice to stop off and have a glass of rosé.

3. Whale watch

There are plenty of opportunities to go on organised whale watching trips along the coastline, Monterey is a great place to book from. We were lucky enough to spot whales all along the Big Sur. If you want to save some money pull into a viewpoint and just watch the horizon. To see whales breaching is an incredible sight, or even just a slight peek of a tail slipping gracefully under the water. Whale Watchers Café at Gorda Springs Resort was a marvellous place for breakfast on the road. With ocean views from the café we ate a hearty breakfast and got to spot whales too.

4. Bixby Bridge

This bridge is a very famous landmark on the Big Sur. Built in 1932, it is one of the world’s tallest single span concrete bridges standing proud at 280 ft high. Driving south there is a lay-by on the right hand side just before the bridge, although usually very busy with tourists it is definitely worth stopping to take a photo of this very impressive structure. Whilst I loved this bridge there are others very similar along the route so stop at one of those for views without lots of other people around!

5. Go for a walk

There are so many great areas to walk along Highway One; Point Lobos State Natural Reserve was one of my favourites. Rugged coastline with kelp forests home to sea lions and sea otters make for an exciting walk. The park has mapped out trails with plenty of history, hike to Whalers Cove where a whalers cabin still stands and is now a museum. As well as walking, buy a permit to snorkel or dive amongst the kelp beds, awesome marine life and underwater caves await. If you are camping in a state park keep hold of your permit as this can be used to park for free in other parks and reserves.

6. Pitch a tent (or park up in a van)

One of the cheapest ways to stay overnight on the Big Sur is to camp. We hired a campervan through Wicked Campers and loved having the freedom to explore and stop where we wanted. We stayed overnight at Plaskett Creek campground, just over the road from Sand Dollar Beach. Cooking on a campfire and stargazing was a brilliant experience. The campsite cost a total of $34, a bargain compared to the hotels along the route. There are quite a few campgrounds along the Big Sur, my advise would be to book in advance during peak seasons as pitches at the more popular sites can get reserved very quickly. Having said that a few of the campsites do offer a limited number of pitches to simply turn up and pay for on the day. Take plenty of layers if camping, as it gets quite cold when the fog comes in.

7. McWay Falls

This iconic waterfall is definitely worth stopping for, found in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park this beauty is 80ft high and cascades onto the beach below. Park up and follow the half-mile trail to the coast, you can also spot whales at this picture perfect spot. I saw so many images of this iconic beauty before the trip and loved seeing it in real life. Benches along the trail allow you to sit and take in the beautiful views.

8. Watch the sunrise at Sand Dollar Beach

What could be better than watching the sunrise over the ocean with fog hanging over the hills behind and not another soul in sight? Waking up early in our camper we strolled over the road from Plaskett Creek campground and straight onto the bluff overlooking this crescent-shaped bay. The waves looked iridescent in the low light and the stillness of the early morning was incredible. I wish I had, had a surfboard with me as there were some great little peelers breaking out there!

9. The drive

The Big Sur is an iconic route, remember don’t rush the drive, take your time and enjoy! The road can get busy at times and often people behind us wanted to drive faster, so we just pulled over and let them carry on. Whether you experience it in the sunshine or the fog it is an epic journey and a blanket of fog hanging just above the coastline made for awesome photo opportunities. Pull over at every opportunity and take in the scenery. There were fresh fruit stalls at a lot of lay-bys; one day we bought avocados, blueberries and figs. It was so nice to have a picnic with local produce and stunning views. Mustangs seemed to be a popular choice of ride all along this stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway, cruising with the roof down looked like a very cool experience.

September 23, 2015 Camping and Glamping, USA 2 Comments

Exploring Sequoia National Park…

Updated in April 2025

After a 6 hour drive covering 223 miles from Los Angeles in our very cool Wicked campervan we arrived at Lodgepole campground in Sequoia National Park. Reaching the park we stopped at the ranger hut and paid the entrance fee. (You can now purchase this online before you arrive.) I was surprised to learn there was a 45 minute drive further to the campground, after such a long drive I thought we had arrived! The final part of the drive was beautiful though and made up for the fact that I was done with sitting still for so long! The road got smaller as it started to wind higher and higher up into the park. Driving through the Giant Forest we got our first sighting of the huge trees that Sequoia is famous for. We continued driving higher up until we arrived at Lodgepole campground, here at 6720 feet above sea level the air felt fresh and clean.

Pulling up at the ranger hut to check in, I noticed a sign showing that there had been 5 bear break – ins in the campground during the past week. I had read about black bears in the area and the need to put all food and scented items in a bear proof box 24 hours a day. I was excited and apprehensive all at the same time about stumbling across a bear and this made it feel all the more real. I still didn’t think that I would actually be lucky enough to have a bear encounter….

We found our pitch amongst the trees, complete with a bench, fire pit with a grate for cooking and a bear box. The rush of the nearby river could be heard in the distance, what a fantastic welcome. I wasted no time in putting most of my belongings into the bear box just to be on the safe side! As we settled into our surroundings the light began to fade and the smell of campfires filled the air, encouraging us to set up our own. Lodgepole has a very handy shop within driving distance so we already had our firewood ready to go. All of a sudden we heard the sound of a car horn followed by banging and someone shouting. Matt and I both looked at each other and said at the same time ‘BEAR!’ Rushing over to where the commotion was happening we heard someone saying it was a mother and baby that had been nearby and we just caught a glimpse of them disappearing into the woodland high above the noisy campers. If you come across a bear the best thing to do is apparently stand your ground and make as much noise as you can to scare them off. This explains all the noise we had heard. I couldn’t believe we were only an hour into our stay and had already had a bear sighting. It finally started to sink in that they really were around us! Settling back around the campfire I felt a little uneasy peering into the darkness wondering what was watching us. With nothing but the light from the fire the star trail above was just stunning, laying back on the bench and looking skyward it looked 3D, almost like I could touch each star. Listening to the distant crackles of campfires made me sleepy and after cooking steak and veggies on the fire we retreated to our cosy van for the night.

The following morning we woke up early and sat planning our day with breakfast and coffee. Matt was having a look down towards the river when all of a sudden a bear appeared and strolled along very near to us. He or she didn’t seem to notice us, it was such a special moment as with no one else around we were the only ones to see this beautiful creature. I was not expecting that at breakfast time!

With our day planned we put on our walking boots and jumped into the van. The first stop was to see General Grant Tree at Grant Grove. This beauty is the second tallest Sequoia tree in the world. At 268 feet high by 108 feet in circumference, it is huge and very difficult to get a photo of the whole thing! The tallest is the General Sherman Tree also in Sequoia, standing at 274.9 feet. My advice would be to get to Grant Grove early, we arrived mid morning and it was very busy. The General Grant Tree Trail is a short paved trail leading past the Fallen Monarch, a giant hollow Sequoia you can walk through from one end to the other and then continues past General Grant. Interestingly in the 1800s it was used in many different ways from a hotel to a stable for US Cavalry horses.

Next we decided to drive to Buck Rock lookout a fire lookout tower sat up high at 8500 feet. From what I had read in the Lonely Planet Guide to California it has fantastic views but we didn’t quite make it there. We got to an unpaved road which became very dusty and full of potholes. It was only a couple of miles to the lookout but the potholes were never-ending. So, Matt and I decided to leave the van and attempt to walk the final few miles. But in the midday sun it was just too hot and for some reason I had an uneasy feeling; there was no one else around and I had a bit of paranoia about bears! We got round a corner and did spot the tower in the distance, it looked incredible perched high up on a rocky outcrop but was just too far in the heat. There were also huge plumes of smoke from wildfires that were just incredible to witness. We found a shady spot for lunch and drove back to Lodgepole where after checking back into a new pitch (it was so busy I had to reserve two separate sites) we strolled along the gorgeous alpine stream within the campground and had a chilly but refreshing paddle.

The following day it was my birthday, what a novelty it was to wake up in Sequoia, I had bought a few presents and cards with me from home to open too. With a 5 hour journey ahead of us to San Francisco we were keen to get back on the road but also wanted to make the most of this beautiful National Park, so a birthday hike to Tokopah Falls was on the cards. Setting off early on the 1.7 mile trail to avoid the heat of the sun the walk started just a stones through from where we had been camping. Following the river along through the trees watching out for bears, the walk was very varied. We strolled past alpine meadows, scrambled over rocks and marveled at the huge granite rock formations high above us until we arrived at the falls. We didn’t see another soul on the journey and were pleased to see the falls that marked the end of the trail and still no one else around. It really felt quite magical to be the only ones there. We reached the end of the path and clambered down the huge rock face to sit right by the falls. Although not as powerful as probably during the winter months it was beautiful to see. Sitting back to take in the view from where we had just walked, the valley between the canyon was clear to see. It was such a birthday treat! The day got even better as we were walking back we stopped for a glug of water and peered down to the river where we spotted a bear. We watched in silence as it crossed the river and started to walk up the embankment towards the path we had just walked along. Holding our breath we took a few steps back as it crossed right over the track and into the undergrowth on the other side. We continued to watch it as it snuffled and foraged. If it had smelt us it didn’t let on. Such an awesome sight!

Tips and tricks:

The $35 entrance pass into Sequoia lasts for 7 days.
I made an online reservation for Lodgepole campground before arriving.
Fuel up when you can as fuel stations can be few and far between, Stony Creek Village had fuel pumps.
There was pretty much no phone service in the park, if you are desperate Stony Creek Lodge had free WiFi.
Lodgepole has a well-equipped shop, make sure you buy your firewood there and don’t bring it in from somewhere else, this helps to prevent the spread of disease.
There are coin operated showers at the visitor centre in Lodgepole, make sure you’ve got some quarters handy!

I loved everything about camping in Sequoia, the sights, the smells, and the sounds. Sequoia National Park is perhaps overlooked compared to others such as Yosemite. I had not heard of it until I started researching. I also read how busy Yosemite can get during the summer so I opted for Sequoia instead. Give it a go, believe me you won’t be disappointed.

For a round-up of our California road trip take a look at my previous post: Camping in California with Wicked Campers and more to do in Sequoia: 9 things to do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

It was back into the mystery machine and onto the next adventure, San Francisco and the Big Sur…

September 10, 2015 Camping and Glamping, UK 2 Comments

A weekend in the Purbecks, Dorset…

I love exploring locally; sometimes I think it’s easy to forget what’s on the doorstep. So having had withdrawal symptoms from campervan living in California and with the weekend free, Matt and I decided to head to the Purbecks in our van for a mini adventure. The Isle of Purbeck or the Purbecks for short is nestled nicely on the Jurassic coast in Dorset. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001 the Jurassic Coast got its name due to its impressive geology….and runs for 95 miles all the way to Devon. You can actually walk the whole thing along the South West Coast Path.

We stayed at Burnbake campsite near Corfe Castle. The campsite does not take reservations and there are no marked pitches so turn up, pick a spot that takes your fancy and that’s it! The campground has a small shop on site, a toilet and shower block, washing up facilities, laundry room and a pop up café with a tent and log burner. The cafe serves up a great English breakfast for £5. The cost was £12 per night for one adult with a tent and car or campervan plus £6 per extra person. Burnbake allows campfires but they must be contained, we hired a fire pit for £4 and bought logs from the shop, perfect!

Worth Matravers was at the top of my list of places to visit. It is a tiny village full of Purbeck stone cottages, a duck pond, tea rooms and the Square and Compass pub. From there we followed the coastal path to Winspit quarry on the edge of the cliffs. It is very popular with climbers and also has some very dark, eerie caves to explore. We continued along to the National Coastwatch Institution lookout station and St Aldhelm’s Chapel. This 13^th century chapel is still in use today and has very old graffiti on the stone walls inside, some of which from what I could make out were from the 16^th century! This lovely walk was around 5 – 6 miles and only one thing was on our mind on the way back…a cider and pasty at the Square and Compass. We made it back to Worth Matravers and went straight to the pub for our well-earned treats! I love the fact that this pub only serves pies and pasties, so simple! It also randomly has a small fossil museum inside, a great showcase of all the amazing fossils and artefacts uncovered along this magnificent stretch of coast.

A Sunday stop off at Lulworth Cove and lunch at the Lulworth Cove Inn was a nice way to finish the weekend before heading home. This perfect horse shoe shaped bay has crystal clear turquoise water and is beautiful all year round. There are some fantastic walks along the cliff top from the cove, we just had enough time to go on my favourite stroll to Durdle Door before we said goodbye.

More things to do in Dorset...

Corfe Castle, towering high above the village of Corfe this is a great place to stop for a photo opportunity, we didn’t have time to climb up but I loved seeing the imposing ruins on the drive to and from the campsite.

Poole harbour is another great spot for exploring, having lunch or for a weekend break. We stayed at Hotel du Vin right in the harbour for Matt’s birthday earlier this year: A weekend in Poole, Dorset. The sun was shining and a lovely boat trip around Brownsea Island rounded off the weekend nicely.

Swanage has a steam railway, which travels 6 miles from Swanage to Norden, one of the stops on the line is Corfe Castle, this would make for a great day out. Buy a day ticket or spend an evening dining on it, I’ve not had the chance to go on it yet but I would love to experience the dining train.

Dorset has the prefect mixture for adventure with coast, valleys, rugged cliff tops and tiny village hideaways to explore. There is so much to do in this beautiful area I still need to go back for more!

September 3, 2015 Camping and Glamping, USA 12 Comments

Camping in California with Wicked Campers…

Updated April 2025

Ad: Matt and I were given a discount by Wicked on our campervan in exchange for this blog post.

What could be better than hitting the open road in your own campervan? Having a kitchen and bed right there on the road with you means you are totally independent and free to explore…

This is exactly what Matt and I got up to in August in California. A collaboration with Wicked Campers saw us pick up an awesome van ‘Mystery Machine’ from their depot in Los Angeles. With its eye-catching artwork it got a lot of attention! Families would ask for photos next to it and people would wave to us on highways, it felt like we were famous! Let me tell you a little bit more about our beauty of a camper, it was a GMC Safari two-seater and around 16ft in length so it wasn’t too intimidating to drive. The ‘kitchen’, found at the rear of the van came complete with a sink, cool box, storage units full of utensils, pans, crockery, cutlery and a gas burner. Initially I was a bit sceptical as to whether the cool box would keep all our food chilled. We bought ice every two days to put in it and it did the job brilliantly so there was no need to worry about warm beers and burgers! During the day the van could be used as a seating area with bench seats. With ample storage under the seats it allowed all our gear to be hidden away. There was a table for indoor and outdoor use and two outdoor chairs, perfect for sitting next to the campfire. At night the seats turned into a large comfy bed. Bedding isn’t provided (something worth remembering if you have a travel budget) having said that at the depot there was a free shelf to help yourself to with all sorts of left over goodies. We found a kettle, perfect for making cups of tea on the road. There was also bedding and pillows from previous owners, although we chose to stop off at a Target to buy pillows, a sheet and a sleeping bag which we unzipped to make into a duvet for two. Cosy!

A coffee pot brewing on a grate on a campfire.

At the time of picking up the van we chose to hire a Sat Nav as an extra add-on. I had bought a massive map but for an extra $5 a day it seemed like a no brainer, and we were right as getting out of LA proved a bit of a challenge…we were very grateful for it. Ofcourse these days you can just open up Google Maps!

In my previous blog Planning for a Californian Road Trip I mentioned how much I was looking forward to cooking on a campfire. This lived up to my expectations and much more. It chilled down a bit in the evenings so a fire was the perfect way to keep warm and such a great way to experience our surroundings.

We drove just under 1000 miles in eight days and stayed at five different campgrounds with lots of stops in between. Starting with two nights in Sequoia National Park, followed by two nights near San Francisco and finished up with three nights along the Big Sur.

Campgrounds we stayed at in California:

Lodgepole Campground

This lovely campground is right in Sequoia National Park. Facilities included a shop, cafe and coin operated showers within driving distance from our pitch. Some tent pitches are right by the Kaweah River and there is a great walk to Tokopah Falls within the campground. Lodgepole is in a great location to see all the sites of Sequoia. Each pitch had a bench, fire pit and bear box.

Here’s some more on Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park:

In the seaside town of Pacifica, this campground is within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants and very easy to get into San Francisco. A 30 minute bus journey to Daly City followed by 20 minutes on the train. As it sounds, this is a big RV park and we were the smallest RV by about 20ft! It isn’t that pretty to look at but is situated on a bluff with ocean views, free showers, laundry facilities and a pool.

Sunset Sate Beach Campground

Hidden behind sand dunes we weren’t too sure about this campground when we first arrived, the pitches were a bit close together and dusty but we learnt to love it. The beach was a steep hike over the sand dunes but worth the trek. It felt pretty wild and watching dolphins gracefully play in the waves was brilliant! The family next door to us were lovely offering us firewood and inviting us to join them on the beach for a sunset barbecue. Our pitch had a bench and fire pit, there were coin operated showers and plug sockets.

Plaskett Creek Campground

Found at the southern end of the Big Sur, at the time of staying this campground only had portaloos as the toilets weren’t in use! I don’t know for definite but I am assuming this was because of the drought, which was going on at the time of our trip. It wasn’t great but by that point we were pretty used to living out of our van so didn’t let it effect us. You can either be positive about these things and just get on with it or choose to ruin your trip by being miserable about it! We took the positive slant and had a great stay here. Each pitch had a bench and fire pit. Just over the road is the beautiful Sand Dollar Beach.

Here’s my favourite things to see and do along the Big Sur: 9 Things to do on the Big Sur

Carpinteria State Beach Campground

Lovely, clean and right on the beach, we could step straight onto the sand from our pitch! The beach had coin operated showers and plug sockets. This was our last night in the van and it couldn’t have been in a better place to end it. We watched seals play in the ocean and had prosecco (we are such posh campers!) while watching the sunset. Waking up during the night to the sounds of the waves was wonderful too.

Useful things to know:

Firewood – Plaskett Creek and Sunset State beach campgrounds had a ‘camp host’ who lived on site, buy firewood from them instead of buying wood from elsewhere, this helps prevent the spread of disease.

Water – Most of the campgrounds we stayed at had potable water facilities, although we always made sure we had enough with us.

Site full – I mentioned in my previous blog post about booking campgrounds well in advance for the summer season as at peak times everywhere gets fully booked. I was so pleased I had reserved pitches, as each site we turned up at was already full. Definitely something to bear in mind when planning a camping trip in California during the summer season.

Fuel – Fuel up when you can as there were limited gas stations in Sequoia and along the Big Sur. A lot of the gas stations have a pay at pump machine, I found that my UK credit card would not always work in these but I quickly learnt that you can prepay in the gas station up to the amount you need. If you fill up under the amount then your card only charges to the amount you used.

We had a fantastic road trip and loved the quirkiness of our camper, it was so comfy to sleep in and the kitchen had everything we needed to be self-sufficient on the road. It’s not everyday you wake up to watching the sunrise over the ocean from your bed or have the ability to pull over on the side of the Big Sur for a 30 minute nap. (And get woken up by a Mexican family queuing up outside to have photos next to your van!!)

More California camping and road trip adventures coming up shortly…

August 10, 2015 Camping and Glamping, USA 6 Comments

Planning for a Californian road trip…

Matt and I are jumping on a flight tomorrow to Los Angeles for a road trip and camping adventure in California. We are looking to get back to nature with two nights in Sequoia National Park, followed by some city adventures for two nights near San Francisco on my birthday and then onto the Pacific Coast Highway for some sun and surf. We are following the coastal road all the way back down to Los Angeles stopping off along the Big Sur on the way.

We are very excited to be collaborating with campervan hire company Wicked. You can’t miss their vans covered in cool artwork. I am looking forward to reporting back about the van and the adventures we have along the way!

While researching the trip I realised that we would be in California during high season and booking campsites well in advance was a good plan as I found that the popular sites especially beach front ones were fully booked a few months ago! Of course many sites don’t have reservations and operate on a first come first serve basis, but as we are only there for a short time I decided I would book in advance rather than worry about where we were going to stay on the day. We have done it this way before in Australia and New Zealand though and it was easy peasy to just turn up.

We are staying in a mixture of privately owned campsites, National Parks and State Beach campgrounds. Privately owned campsites are great for shower and laundry facilities. National park ones are perfect for going back to basics and being at one with nature, often with limited facilities and sometimes no showers. The bonus though is that many of them allow campfires, which I really can’t wait for. The type of van we are using has a ‘kitchen’ in the boot so cooking outside while the sunsets will feel like such a novelty, the weather looks set to be warm and sunny too.

For reserving National Park and State beach campsites I used Reserve America and Recreation.gov. Both are good for trip planning and show current alerts in the parks. One thing I was surprised to learn about was a black bear warning for the campground I booked in Sequoia National Park. Each pitch comes with a bear proof box and all food, toiletries and anything that has a scent or odour must be placed inside so as not to attract the bears! I am slightly apprehensive and excited at the same time! I would love to see a bear but not too close to our van! Back to the research, Nomadic Matt has some useful blogs on road tripping in America and a good old-fashioned map and Lonely Planet guide to California have also been vital in planning this trip.

Camping essentials:

From previous camping trips abroad I have discovered a few very useful items that are easy to pack and save a bit of hassle on arrival at your destination…

Anti-bac wipes – I’m a bit of a clean freak so these are perfect for campervan cleaning and also good for cheating on the washing up!

Head torch – A very useful camping tool, especially for finding your way to the toilet in the middle of the night…

Re-sealable bags – Good for storing opened food and anything else you might need to store.

Power pack or car charger – A necessity for charging camera batteries or phones on the road.

Tea bags – Being an English girl I need a good cuppa!

Washing tablets – I hate having to spend on things like this when I’m away!

We will be covering around 1000 miles in 8 days; Check back for my adventures, photos and van stories coming very soon…if anyone has any suggestions on places to stop and things to see I’d love to hear them…