Los Banos West / I-5 KOA

The Great Outdoors

If you and your kids have never seen a mountain lion, now is your chance. Head to Henry W. Coe State Park, one of the largest state-owned parks in Northern California, with lofty ridges and steep canyons. This refuge is a popular place for hiking and backpacking, mountain biking and fishing, but you can also go geocaching while you're here or camp overnight. If you happen to be here in the fall, you'll be just in time for the Tarantula Fest and barbecue. And, of course, there are the mountain lions. Camping at Los Banos West/I-5 KOA puts this and other attractions right at your feet.Head farther south, and you will find yourself in Pinnacles National Park, a unique landscape formed from volcanoes and today consisting of chaparral, oak woodlands, and canyon bottoms. You can hike here with the family or tackle more serious hiking trails if you don't have kids with you. You can enter rare talus caves and exit in the vicinity of massive rock spires that are home to falcons, eagles, and the California condor. It's also a popular site for rock climbing.A little closer to the ocean, you'll find the Sierra Azul Preserve, a true undisturbed wilderness area (although there are restrooms). Renting an RV means you can enjoy the area and know that the creature comforts you need are still close by. It's a popular place for hiking and mountain biking, and dogs are allowed in the area with a leash, but you should pay attention to the signs posted as not all activities are permitted on all of the trails. While you are here, you'll be passing through serpentine grasslands, bay tree and oak woodland forests, and deep ravines if you're after a challenge. It's a great opportunity to observe wildlife such as coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions.

Exploring The Area

It wouldn't be a California vacation if you didn't spend at least some time near the coastline; that's why you should head for Salinas to absorb some of the culture and cuisine. Search for an RV in Merced County, and you can travel here in comfort. There are a number of wineries where you can sample the local wine and scenery at the same time, and art galleries galore because this is, after all, California. If you need to get some shopping done, there are malls where you can browse the latest fashions, or you can take a walking tour of Oldtown, a Salinas neighborhood with shops and a farmers market. It's also near the Steinbeck Center, a historical landmark celebrating the famed author John Steinbeck.Continue on to the coast, and you will find Monterey, where the dining options abound. The local restaurants range in price from inexpensive to fine dining, so you can choose exactly what you want at a price that suits you. Find a venue near the beach, and you can add a sunset to your evening meal.Choosing a California RV rental vacation will put all of this and more within your grasp, and it all begins at Los Banos West/I-5 KOA.