Marty McDonnell has run Yosemite rafting trips on the Merced and Tuolumne rivers for 50 years—the longest of any such outfitter in the region. His family-owned company, Sierra Mac River Trips, features 19 stunning acres perched on a ridge above the Tuolumne River canyon, just a 15-minute drive from Yosemite National Park‘s Big Oak Flat entrance.

Pick your camping spot along some 800 miles of Pacific coastline, from Crescent City to San Diego. From top to bottom, you’ll find varied terrain along the vast Pacific Coast Highway, which offers campers just about everything under the sun (or fog).

This coastal gem has unrivaled ocean views. Park at the south end of Trinidad State Beach and tackle a loop trail on Trinidad Head for vistas of the town and coastal bluffs. Stroll neighboring Old Home Beach, where you can launch a kayak into the protected waters of Trinidad Harbor, or set off on a shoreline walk to the tidepools of College Cove.

This crown jewel on California’s central coast is only a stone’s throw from Carmel. Listen to sea lions barking from offshore rocks and scan the ocean waters for migrating gray whales, set off on hiking trails to hidden coves to admire thousands of seabirds, or scuba dive into one of California’s richest marine habitats.

Tomales Bay State Park is popular with day visitors seeking sheltered coves and gentle shorelines ideal for picnics and swimming. Clamming and boating are recreational highlights, with a variety of hiking trails making it easy to explore on foot. Walk to Indian Beach, Pebble Beach, and Shell Beach from Heart's Desire...

While there are actually about a dozen wine tasting destinations throughout the state, Napa and Sonoma are arguably the most well-known regions of California Wine Country. Between tastings, nestle among the Bodega Dunes or soak up the vistas from Sugarloaf Ridge.

Big Sur camping epitomizes the rugged California coastline with towering redwoods and roaring surf. Perfectly positioned on Highway 1 (aka the Pacific Coast Highway) between Monterey and San Simeon, Big Sur is tucked against the backdrop of the Santa Lucia Range.

On the northern edge of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is a city of ancient redwoods, surfing beaches, and coastal mountains. Here, Hipcampers can sleep under forest canopies or wake up to views of the Pacific Ocean. Santa Cruz rates among California's top surfing spots...

With a campground conveniently set on its wooded shores, the Eastern Sierra town of June Lake provides Hipcampers with plenty of amenities. A variety of mountain lakes are found in the vicinity, including on the June Lake Loop. Pitch a tent or get cozy in your camper, then take a scenic drive and hit the trails.