After Oregon State Park at Harris Beach Campground on Monday, we traveled about 320 miles south — that doesn’t seem like a great distance unless one is traveling on winding Hwy 101 along the Pacific Coast, then through the amazing Redwoods on a wet day with slow traffic because of a number of one-lane construction projects. It took us about eight hours traveling time.
We made it to the Lake Sonoma Corps of Engineers Liberty Glen Campground after dark. Something you don’t want to do if you are visiting for the first time–because it is dark, dark, dark. BTW this COE park REQUIRES reservations because of security (gate code sent with reservation confirmation) and popularity due to its proximity to San Francisco. Be advised, the campground currently has no water, flush toilets or showers because of pump problems. No hookups. Cost $25/night or $12.50 with America the Beautiful pass. (photo above)
Up and out by 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday taking the scenic side roads through the Wine Country of Napa Valley and avoiding Bay Area traffic … only on one 2-mile stretch of interstate the whole 163-mile route to the New Hogan Lake COE Acorn Campground east of Lodi near the foothills of the Sierra Nevada on the Calaveras River (see below). Working showers here. No hookups. Cost $20/night or $10 with America the Beautiful pass.
— Text and photos: Julianne G. Crane