Camping Essentials in Big Basin Redwoods
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The California Redwoods is one of the top destinations for camping and hiking. I am so happy to share that this is now in my backyard!! Growing up in Florida you do not camp often because it is too hot, sticky and so many bugs. In June we were invited on a camping trip in the Santa Cruz Mountains at Big Basin. Naturally, I googled and pinterested all the things we could possibly need. So let me give you the scoop on everything you need to survive a few nights in the Redwoods.Luckily, my husband had camped in this decade, so he handled the equipment.
Camping Essentials
- Tent (you need shelter) and Tarp (to keep the ground under the tent dry)
- Mattress- we have a pad that is awesome, most people use a cot or air mattress.
- Sleeping Bags – we got ones you can zip together so we could cuddle, I totally recommend that!
- Pillows
- Extra blankets
- Light (Head lamps are good too)
- A lighter for fire
- Cooler – no one wants warm beer
- Toilet Paper/Paper Towels/Plates/Cups
- Pots and/or pans
You can get all your camping supplies at Walmart, Target or Amazon! Happy Shopping!
The key to a successful camping trip is going with the right people. If you go with enough veteran campers, they always pack extra so if you forget something they have your back. Perfect example, my husband partied a little too hard and didn’t make the tri-tip, so I ate our friend’s food, win, win.
Food Shopping for Camping
- Tri-Tip (pre-marinated- easy to grill up)
Chicken Sausages & Buns (easy to grill)Condiment
Drinks – water, soda, beer, wine, liquor, what ever tickles your fancy
Lunch Meat for sandwiches & bread
Cut up Veggies and hummus
Snacks (we don’t eat a lot of junk food, so I get the vegetable chips i.e. sweet potato, beet chips, taro)
Potato Salad (Fam. Recipe below)
Breakfast Burritos (Homemade – recipe below)
Big Basin, California is filled with hikes and trails throughout. They are all well marked with arrows and names to match the trail, so if you hit this spot check out the trails and the waterfalls. We rented a whole campsite for about $500 split between a big group totally worth it to have your bathroom close by. We also took a hike to Semperviren Falls. To be honest you could skip this is was a huge tourist trap and just off the road you come in through, not really a hike but it was nice to get active in between all the drinking we had done. From the maps there were lots of other options and waterfalls to checkout as well.
What's important to you when you camp?
A fun site: if you want to hike or fish does this campground accommodate that or do you have to drive to it?
Relaxing: If you are just trying to relax, bring games. The winner of all games was Bottle Bash. Check it out! Or some throwback card games like spoons, Uno, Skip Bo. Corn hole was a win until someone drunkenly stepped on it and broke it.
Necessities: Big Basin has a huge store where we could buy fire wood. It was so cold the second day we went through 17 bundles and needed more!!
Out houses, if this is something that is important to you, make sure the campground has one. Some even have showers, that is a HUGE bonus!
Camping is all about having fun. If you forget something you learn and bring it next time. Also, for a reference this is called car camping because you are not hiking all your stuff up to a campsite you are basically driving it to where you want to set up. Way easier I would think.
I really enjoy cooking so here are the pre-made things I whipped up for the trip. A little homemade food makes the woods feel homier, in my opinion.
Recipes
Breakfast Burritos
- Tortilla Shells – 8
- Sausage or Bacon
- Eggs (I used 5 eggs and eyeballed about 5 egg whites into the bowl w. Milk)
- Cheese
- ½ Onion diced and sautéed with the sausage
- Bell Pepper and Tomato mix (option)
Sauté onions, add sausage and cook all the way through. In a separate pan scramble the eggs. Once eggs and sausage are cooked. Set aside. Combine everything into a tortilla shell. Roll them up and seal them in tin foil. When you are camping and ready to eat, just put them on the grill or if you have a stove that works too.
**Lesson Learned: I put my burritos into a cooler with all the food and ice. When the ice melted it made my burritos soggy. Next time I am putting them in a sealed container to make sure they stay dry. Blonde moment I guess!
Family Potato Salad
My MIL (Mother-in-Law) sent me this recipe, but now I just eye ball it so I will do my best to share.
- 4 Big Russet Potatoes
- 1 Large Yellow Onion Diced
- 6 Celery Stalks Halved and Diced
- 4 Hard Boiled Eggs
- Mayo
- Mustard
- Garlic Salt
- Pepper
- Onion Powder
Boil potatoes, once they are soft (easy to put a fork in) take them out to cool. I usually am in a hurry, so I put them in the freezer to cool faster. Boil the eggs in a separate pot or Trader Joe’s sells boiled eggs, if you are looking for a quick cheat.
While they boil I dice the onions and celery. Once potatoes are cool, I cut them into bit size pieces, put in a bowl and add the onion, celery, mayo and mustard.
For the mayo and mustard, I usually add a lot you want it to have a creamy texture. As you mix you may find you want to add more. Garlic salt you add for taste, the same with pepper and onion powder. Start with 4 or 5 shakes of garlic salt and pepper. Add a little onion powder.
My favorite part about making this is you must get a little dirty. Wash your hands, take off your rings and mix it all together. Taste as you go, YUMMY. Keep at it until you have added, the perfect amount for your taste buds. My husband is the taste tester for us and he loves it.
Looking for more to do in Northern California?
Check out all my San Francisco Guide that covers, where to eat, what to wear and all the sights. I have even thrown in my favorite hikes.
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