With over 800 miles of shoreline easily navigable by the famous Pacific Coast Highway, California is a great choice for a road trip that is as scenic as it is salty. However, the contrast between the Northern and Southern coasts is like night and day. Forget the sun, bikinis and volleyball of San Diego and Santa Monica. Once you travel North of the Golden Gate Bridge, you venture into California's wild side, beautiful and seemingly untouched by the bustling city life below. And where the rugged geography inhibits major metropolitan development comes opportunity for free camping.
Depending on where you start, Bicentennial will be either the first or last free campground you encounter while touring California's Northern Coast. Just north of San Francisco, Bicentennial sits atop a windy hill that overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge. There are no fees to camp here; however, you must reserve your site in advance. With only three tent sites and strict policies against pets or fires, it's a quiet night on the hill -- but you may get some stars.
The bad news about free campsites in Northern California is that they start to dwindle as you drive up Highway 1, forcing the less hotel-inclined to seek overnight refuge in the folded-down backseat of a rental vehicle. This option has its perks, as the wet climate and unpredictable winds in the region can make tent camping uncomfortable anyway. All this considered, a stop in wine country is still an absolute necessity. Viognier and artisan cheeses will enliven any occasion, and nearby Bodega Bay is a great area to visit on a late-night walk along the beach.
In California, you can use all of their highway rest areas for up to eight hours each, which gives you plenty of time to rest before continuing on your journey. The Trinidad Rest Area, specifically, is right along the northern coast and is in a quiet area outside Redwoods National Park. It has basic facilities, including restrooms, water fountains and an RV sanitation station. There are also picnic tables and trash receptacles so you can have a nice lunch in the open air without having to dirty your vehicle.
This popular free RV camping spot is just north of Trinidad in a parking lot adjacent to a casino right off the Redwood Highway. The Cher-ae Heights Casino allows campers to register with them on-site and stay in their lot without prior reservations. Along with having access to amenities that come with being a casino guest, you are right in Humboldt Lagoons State Park, which also appeals to nature lovers. There are hiking trails, fishing spots and swimming beaches nearby.
