Our family’s camping journey, rooted around Sacramento and the East Bay, was more than just travel. As our children grew from diapers to college students, the rings of time etched themselves into California’s forests and coastlines.
🐣 A Fearless Beginning: With an 8-Month-Old and a Toddler
We started camping when our oldest was two and a half, and our second child was just eight months old. We had neither proper gear nor experience. I still remember struggling to grill a single piece of meat because we didn’t even know the basics—like needing lighter fluid to get charcoal going.
On one ambitious 2-night, 3-day trip, we even packed up and moved campsites—spending one day at Emerald Bay and another at D. L. Bliss State Park—hauling gear, setting up tents, and hiking in between. It was exhausting.
At the time, money was tight, and camping was the most affordable vacation we could manage. But even then, despite the physical hardship, we felt richer than anyone—simply because we were surrounded by nature.
🌟 Healing Moments by the Campfire
As time passed, camping with close neighbor families became one of life’s greatest joys. The children bonded in the forest, learning directly from nature, while we adults embraced something uniquely Korean—long, heartfelt nights around the campfire.
With the crackling sound of firewood in the background, we shared stories over drinks and laughter. When we looked up, the sky overflowed with stars—offering a depth of comfort no luxury resort could ever provide.
We may have started camping for our children, but in the end, it was we, the adults, who returned home most healed.
📍 Campgrounds We Loved: Memories and Practical Tips
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
A paradise for kids: Just a short drive from the campground, Pfeiffer Beach became our children’s favorite hideout. With its purple sand and dramatic rock arches, it’s stunning—but what made it special was the shallow stream running along the beach, creating a safe space for kids to play in the water.
Practical tip: Parking is strictly limited. On weekends, you’ll want to arrive before 10 AM to avoid being turned away.
Food highlight: Dining at Nepenthe is a must. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it offers a completely different kind of luxury—one that perfectly complements the simplicity of camping.
D. L. Bliss State Park & Emerald Bay
D. L. Bliss (Lester Beach & Calawee Cove): Lester Beach and Calawee Cove are among the clearest and calmest waters in Lake Tahoe. Because of visitor limits, these spots often feel like private beaches.
On one visit, we struggled with bees—but even that couldn’t overshadow the crystal-clear water.
Emerald Bay: The hike from the campground down to Vikingsholm takes about 20–30 minutes through the forest. Walking hand in hand with our kids, talking along the way, remains one of our most cherished memories.
The hike back up is steep, but the misty, emerald-colored lake makes every step worth it.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
The charm of tent cabins: The park’s Tent Cabins—half tent, half cabin—were a game changer for us. Back when we lacked proper gear, they made camping easier while still preserving the outdoor experience.
Nature’s grandeur: Hiking among ancient redwoods, some over a thousand years old, was both humbling and inspiring. Trails vary in difficulty, making them ideal for families with children.
Because the forest gets dark early and temperatures drop quickly, we always followed one important piece of advice: even in summer, bring a warm sleeping bag.
🌵 Starlight Across Generations, and New Dreams Ahead
The children who once wore diapers are now college students. Interestingly, the difficult moments have faded, while the joyful memories have taken deeper root. Even now, if we say, “Let’s go camping,” they’re ready to pack and leave in an instant.
Someday, when they have families of their own, I imagine them taking their children into the woods—passing down stories like, “Your grandfather couldn’t even start a fire at first.”
Our camping map is still unfinished. Now, we’re dreaming of desert camping with our grown sons—under endless horizons and the Milky Way stretching across the sky.
We may have started with very little, but our hearts were always full. And guided by the starlight of those early days, our family’s journey continues.