San Bernadino National Forest
San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park (San Francisco)
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (Los Angles)

Sequoia National Forest

Isabella

Kern River Valley

Sequoia National Monument

Sequoia National Park

Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Mount Shasta

Sierra National Forest

Six River National Forest

Shoreline Highway (CA-1)

Smith River National Recreation Area

Stanislaus National Forest

Emigrant Wilderness Area

Tahoe National Forest

Bowman Area

Toiyabe National Forest

Ebbett's Pass Talladega National Forest
William Bankhead National Forest

Yosemite National Park

No overnight parking at Wal-Mart in Redding by city ordinance.

Avenue of the Giants:

Camping Areas::
Humboldt Redwood State Park, $12/night, water, coin showers.

Bowman Area:

Exit 161 (CA-20 West) off I-80 near Cisco Grove. CA-20 West 3-4 miles to FR-18 at the Bowman sign.
Mile 8, Lindsey , turn left onto FR-17 at about mile 8 and follow signs 4 miles. Last 1/2 mile or so requires 4WD.
Mile 20, Catfish and Meadow junction.
.7 miles to Catfish .
7 miles to Meadow (4WD required).

  Camping Areas:
     Some dispersed camping miles 1-10 of FR-18.
     Lots of dispersed camping after mile 10 of FR-18.
     Some dispersed camping on FR-17 and side road to Carr .
     Mile 8, Carr /Feely Trailhead (see below) has several campsites (free).
     Mile 16, Bowman Campground at the east end of the (free)
     Mile 17, Jackson Creek Campground at the east end of the (free)
     Mile 21, Jackson Meadows Reservoir Recreation Area ($).

  Trailheads::
     Five s Basin Trail, turn right onto FR-17 mile 8 at the Carr /Feely sign. Follow signs 3 miles to end of road and camping area. Trailhead is gated road on left as you enter camping area.
     Crooked s Basin trailhead is 1 mile down Five s Basin Trail (above).
     Mile 10.5, Loney Meadow Trail and Grouse s Basin Trails junction.

  Launches:
     Mile 15, Bowman launch (You have to back 200 feet down a narrow dirt road). Also one somewhere before Bowman Campground and one may be on the other side of the through Bowman Campground.
     Mile 21, Jackson Meadows Reservoir Recreation Area.

Cabrillo Highway (US-1):

No roadside camping on US-1 the last 72 miles to Monterey so I guess that means roadside camping permitted from Morro Bay to that sign.
No national forest camping opportunities for the first 60 miles or so, then a couple campgrounds right in a row @ $18/night.
One state park near the national forest campgrounds @ $13/night with hot showers.
Two or more state parks at Big Sur.
Several trail signs for multiple trails along the US-1. Topo shows many, many trails.

Cleveland National Forest:

  Camping Areas:
     Bobcat Meadows Campground (@ 3800 feet), I8, exit 51 east of Pine Valley. Follow Buckman Springs Road 3.3 miles and turn right onto Coral Canyon Road. Continue 5.4 miles to the Four Corners crossroad. Turn left for 1.0 miles to campground. Free, toilets, trashcan. Requires Forest Adventure Pass or Golden Passport.
     Coral Canyon Campground (@ 3800 feet), I8, exit 51 east of Pine Valley. Follow Buckman Springs Road 3.3 miles and turn right onto Coral Canyon Road. Continue 5.4 miles to the Four Corners crossroad. Go Straight for 1.5 miles to campground. Free, toilets, trashcan. Requires Forest Adventure Pass or Golden Passport.

Trailheads:
     Four Corners Trailhead, I8, exit 51 east of Pine Valley. Follow Buckman Springs Road 3.3 miles and turn right onto Coral Canyon Road. Continue 5.4 miles to the Four Corners crossroad and trailhead. Requires Forest Adventure Pass or Golden Passport.

Death Valley National Park:

Gas within park at Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Stovepipe Wells Village, Panamint Springs and Scottys Castle. Showers at Furnace Creek Inn &Ranch, Stovepipe Wells Village and Panamint Springs. ATMs at Furnace Creek In and Stovepipe Wells. Laundromat and Post Office at Furnace Creek Inn. Gas and showers at junction US-95 in Nevada, 24 miles north of Death Valley Junction.
Water at Furnace Creek Visitor Center by restrooms and at campgrounds.
Water at Fossil Falls off US-395 below Little .

  Camping Areas::
     Several campgrounds, $10-$16/night.
     Camping permitted 2 miles from paved road. Everywhere I went signs said no camping though. I finally found some at x Wells across from Hanaupah Canyon Road off West Side Road heading towards Ashford Mill.
     Free campgrounds and water at Wildrose, Emigration, Thorndyke and Mahogany Flats.
     BLM campground off US-395 below Little $6/night.

  Trailheads::
     Get maps and trail descriptions at Furnace Creek Visitor Center.

Devils Postpile National Monument:

National Forest Service charges a fee to gain access to the entrance of Devils Postpile National Monument. Fee not covered by National Parks pass.

Eldorado National Forest:

See also Wright Recreation Area and Mokelumne Wilderness:

Golden Gate National Recreation Area:

  Camping
     Camping in designated spots only, reservations required.

  Trailheads:
     Didn't see any.

  Put Ins
     Maybe at Muir or Stinson Beach.

Inyo National Forest:

John Muir Wilderness Area:

Tom's Place, Rock Creek Road, camping in developed campgrounds only. I saw several NFS campgrounds @ $11/night.

Joshua Tree National Park:

  Camping Areas:
     Some camping on US62 for a few miles inside the Arizona border. The rest of the way to 29 Palms is all sand.
     Joshua Tree National Park: 5 of the 8-9 campgrounds are free and are as good as anything you'll find anywhere.
   There's supposed to be water at visitor centers and 'for pay' campgrounds.

  Trailheads:
     Get maps and trail descriptions at Visitor Center.

Kern River Valley:

  Camping Areas:
     Free camping all along Mountain Road 99 between Kernville and Johnsondale.

  Trailheads:
     River Trail, just south of Sequoia National Monument at Kern River crossing on Mountain Road 99.
     Packsaddle Trail, 16 miles north of Kernsville just north of Fairview Campground.
     Whiskey Flat Trail, 16 miles north of Kernsville just south of Fairview Campground and across the footbridge.
     Tobias Creek Trail, bear right at the unsigned fork on the hill 1/2 mile along the Whiskey Flat Trail (above) then bear left at the signed fork 100 yards farther on.
     Flynn Canyon Trail, bear right at the unsigned fork on the hill 1/2 mile along the Whiskey Flat Trail (above) then bear right at the signed fork 100 yards farther on.

Kings Canyon National Park:

Several campgrounds ranging from $8-$14. Everything was snowed in when I visited early April. They say you can do roadside camping. Nothing was available outside the park in the northern section of Sequoia National Monument.

Basin Recreation Area:

A couple of miles southeast on Graeagle on CA-89.
  Camping Areas:
     Several free campgrounds and some dispersed camping sites.

  Trailheads:
     Gray Eagle Creek Trail, Gold Road (FR-24) mile 2
     Long , Bear , Grassy , Silver Trails, turn right off Gold Road (FR-24) at about mile 6.5 at s Basin Campground sign and continue 3/4, Trailheads: at end of road. Petroglyphs and water back here too.
     Smith , turn right off Gold Road (FR-24) at about mile 7 at Gray Eagle Lodge Road sign and continue .02 miles, turn right and go another .03 miles to trailhead.
     Mount Elwell Trail, turn right off Gold Road (FR-24) at about mile 7 at Gray Eagle Lodge Road sign and continue .02 miles, turn right and go another .03 miles to trailhead.     Also, turn right off Gold Road (FR-24) at about mile 8, just past Sierra Country sign. This is the preferred trail, I think.

     Ridge Fir Trail, turn left off Gold Road (FR-24) at about mile 7.5
     Mills Peak Trail, turn left off Gold Road (FR-24) at about mile 7.5

Lassen National Forest:

See also Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park:

Gas in Shingleton.

  Camping Areas:
     Lassen National Forest on CA-44 just past CA-89 junction and north entrance to park.
     Lassen National Forest on CA-89 just before south entrance to park.

Los Padres National Forest:

Mojave Desert National Preserve:

Gas &stuff at Baker &Nipton on I-15. Several gas stations between Baker &Nipton.

  Camping Areas:
     Hole-in-the-Wall and Mid Hills Camping Areas: $12. Water &toilets.
     Free Camping Areas:
     Rainy Day Mine Site: 15.2 miles south of Baker on Kelbaker Road, then 0.3 miles northeast on road to Rainy Day Mine. 4X4 recommended; no RVs.
     Black Canyon Road: 5.2 miles south of Hole-In-The-Wall ranger station on east side of Black Canyon Road. I found one 4 miles south of ranger station on Black Canyon Road. Water &toilets at picnic area beyond Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center.
     Wild Horse Road just short of Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center has several turnoffs for camping.
     Granite Pass: 6.1 miles north of I40 on Kelbaker Road, just north of Granite Pass, then west on several access roads. Campsites are located just north of granite spires. No RVs.
     Caruthers Canyon: 5.5 miles west of Ivanpah Road on New York Mountains Road, then 1.5 to 2.7 miles north to campsites. 4X4 recommended; no RVs.
     Sunrise Rock: 10.4 miles south of I15 on east side of Cima Road. Trailhead for Teutonia Peaks Trail is nearby on the opposite side of Cima Road.
     Kelso Sand Dunes past parking lot &trailhead.

Mokelumne Wilderness:

Camping Areas:
Martin Meadows, 2-3 miles east of Silver off CA-88.

Mount Shasta:

   Shasta info, I-5 exit 687
   Shasta Dam, I-5 exit 687
   Shasta , I-5 exits 704-690
   Castle Crag State Park &Castella, I-5 exit 724
   Cragview Drive, I-5 exit 728

  Camping Areas:
     Central Mount Shasta, I-5 exit 738, a lot of dispersed camping along Everitt Memorial Highway (see Black Butte Trail below).
     Central Mount Shasta, I-5 exit 738, a lot of dispersed camping along FR-26 beyond Siskiyou .

  Trailheads:
     Black Butte Trail, Central Mount Shasta, I-5 exit 738. Take Street east .9 miles to the end and swing left onto Everitt Memorial Highway. Continue exactly 1.9 miles and turn left on unmarked dirt road. Drive 2.1 miles and follow curve to the left for .5 miles. Bear right at the fork and continue 1.1 miles. Turn left at power line and go .6 miles to the unmarked trailhead at the turnaround.

Muir Woods National Monument:

  Camping
     No camping available.

  Trailheads:
     Several. See park map for Trailheads:.

Pinnacles National Monument:

No camping in park or anywhere near.
Several trails.

Plumas National Forest:

Point Reyes National Seashore:

  Camping Areas::
A couple of backcountry campgrounds.

  Trailheads:
     Lots of trails, see park map.

Redwood National Park:

  Camping
     Roadside camping at the south end of the park. $10/night. Toilets up the road. No water.
     Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. $12/night. Coin showers.
     Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. $12/night. Coin showers.

  Trailheads:
    Several. See park map.

  Put Ins
     Access to Big Lagoon, Stone Lagoon and Freshwater Lagoon from several locations off US-101.
     Klamath River mouth, Requa Road to the north of the river. Also from the south side of the river on Coastal Road.

Salton Sea:

  Camping Areas:
     Mecca, Box Canyon Road 10 miles north of Mecca
     Mecca, State Parks along east shore off CA-111

Sequoia National Forest

Isabella:

     Sequoia National Forest Ranger Station off CA-155. Follow signs for camping &hiking info.

  Camping Areas:
     Auxiliary Dam Recreation Area at south end of . Free. Water at recreation area.

  Boat Launches::
     BLM launching area on Kern River at beginning of CA-155. Free.

Sequoia National Monument:

I didn't see any camping or hiking opportunities.

Sequoia National Park:

  Camping Areas::
    Several campgrounds ranging from $8-$14. They say you can do roadside camping but I didn't see any opportunities except right on the road. Nothing was available outside the park in the northern section of Sequoia National Monument.

  Trailheads::
    Several trailhead throughout the park and several at the top of Crescent Meadow.

Shasta-Trinity National Forest:

See Mount Shasta:

Shoreline Highway:

  Plenty of gas along the highway.

  Camping
     No forest roads for camping. Camping at turnouts not permitted.
     Fort Ross $10/night. Water.
     Navarro Beach, 10-12 miles south of Mendocino. $5/night. No water.
     Westport Union Landing, 22 miles north of Fort Brag. $8/night. Water.
     Picnic area and possible spot 5 miles into curve to CA-101. All other forest roads gated, everything else privately ownedfs
     Several other state campgrounds ranging from $12-$16/night scattered appropriately along highway. All seem to have water.
  Trailheads:
     Lots of trails along the highway.

  Put Ins
     Goat Rock is a possible with a 50 yard carry to high tide line, 5 miles or so north of Jenner.
     Fort Ross north of the campground and fort. Down dirt road to gate. 50 Yard carry to high tide line. $4/day use fee
     Moat Creek, a couple of miles south of Port Arena. 100 yard carry to high tide line.
     Port Arena. Short carry to high tide line.
     Navarro Point/Beach , 10-12 miles south of Mendocino. Put in from road and carry from high tide line.
     Russian Gulch turnoff, north of Mendocino. Follow road to right to Coastal Access rather than left to Russian Gulch State Park. Carry from high tide line.
     12 miles north of Fort Brag. Carry from high tide line.
     17 miles north of Fort Brag. 50 yard carry to high tide line.

Sierra National Forest:

  Camping
     There appeared to be a couple forest roads in Sierra National Forest off CA-41 that might be suitable for camping. They were snowed in in April.
     There appeared to be a couple forest roads in Sierra National Forest off CA-140 that might be suitable for camping. They were snowed in in April.

Smith River National Recreation Area:

  Information kiosk at Hiouchi on CA-199.
  Camping
     Didn't see any forest roads for free camping.
Many 'for pay' campgrounds ranging from $8-$14/night. Get information at information kiosk.

  Trailheads:
     Get information at information kiosk.

  Boat Launches: (Class II-III)
     Get information at information kiosk.

Stanislaus National Forest:

Dispersed camping off CA-108 from western boundary to Dardanelles, campgrounds only from Dardanelles to Kennedy Meadows, dispersed camping from Kennedy Meadows to eastern boundary.

Tahoe National Forest: