(7/25-27) SONOMA LAKESIDE CAMPING: Caving, Floating Water Playground, Kayaking, Kids' Train, Animal Barn, Fishing + More!

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: EASY

*Hikes are easy. You should be able to walk a few miles carrying you and your children's items.

*Kayaking, paddleboarding for beginners is possible in the lake.

*Caving: A guide will lead small groups of families on this adventure that’s about a 30-minute drive from the campground. If you are claustrophobic, we do not recommend this outing.

ITINERARY (subject to change due to weather/trail conditions, park closures, etc)

Friday: Check in from 4 p.m. on. Set up camp, water play, explore park, visit playground with carousel + choo choo train. Kids enjoy arts and crafts, plus games. Later, make dinner, s'mores around the campfire.

Saturday: Breakfast then groups head out for caving (which is a 30-minute drive away from the campground) or a 3-mile hike. In the afternoon, we’ll spend time at the floating water playground and lagoon! Families can opt to check out the nature center, the playground with the choo choo train and carousel, or can rent kayaks/paddleboards. Later, make dinner, s'mores around the campfire plus we’ll have an informal talent show.

Sunday: Breakfast at campsite. Kids can do arts and crafts at the campsite while parents pack. We’re planning to have a tie-dye station though that could change. We can stay in the park and enjoy more water play and adventures before we head home!

Car camping means you park your car next to the campsite. Two cars per camping site; additional ones will have to go to overflow, which could be a walk or drive away. The guide will drive you to your car if need be.

Some of these amenities will not be at your campsite but nearby, like a fire ring

• Picnic tables

• BBQ grills

• Fire ring

• Showers

• Nice flush toilets 

• Drinking water

• Bear lockers

What We Provide

We are focused on providing the best family camping experience possible by offering families the chance to join a community of like-minded families who love the outdoors. We handle all the planning for busy parents, organizing well-planned, fun and educational activities like hiking, kayaking and caving, while providing camp classic experiences like S'mores and stories around the campfire, plus arts and crafts. Our goal is to create memorable adventures while managing all the logistics so you can focus on making memories with your family.

Campsite Reality & Expectations

We work hard to secure the best available campsites for our group while managing the realities of California's extremely competitive camping landscape. Booking campsites in California is challenging, with only seconds to secure anything when reservations open, if availability exists at all.

Campsite conditions vary significantly and may include:

• Different ground surfaces (grass, dirt, or gravel)

• Sloped or uneven terrain

• Varying levels of shade (from heavily wooded to open sun)

• Different views and proximity to water features

• Natural wildlife including wasps, insects, and other critters

• Varying noise levels from other campers

• Different facility conditions and accessibility

• Parking offsite: In some cases, families will have to park in overflow parking when number of vehicles exceed the maximum per site. Overflow parking could be a walk or drive away. The guide will drive you to your car if need be.

Group camping logistics: When group campsites aren't available, we book individual campsites as close together as possible, though proximity cannot always be guaranteed. In these situations, we designate one site as "Camp HQ" for group activities like S'mores, arts and crafts, and community gatherings. You may need to walk or drive short distances between your assigned campsite and Camp HQ.

Weather and environmental factors: Outdoor conditions including weather, temperature, and natural elements are beyond our control and can affect your camping experience.

Agreement

We do not make promises about specific campsite features, views, terrain, or conditions. Our commitment is to secure the best available sites and provide exceptional programming and community experiences. By booking with us, you acknowledge and accept these conditions as part of the authentic outdoor camping experience.

• All logistics. We plan the itinerary

• Parking (1 car per family). NOTE: The campground charges $10 after the first car at the campsite. Save your receipt and we will refund you

• Guided hikes, scavenger hunt and educational activities; arts and crafts for the kids 🎨🪀

• An iron-on patch as a memento of the camping trip plus a small journal for parents to document the adventure! (campers only)

• A digital guide for our adventure that includes natural + cultural history

• A camping checklist

• Assistance with camping set-up

• S’mores kit for the group 🔥🪵🍫

• Firewood

• Charcoal

You’ll also get access to:

• First-aid kit

• Loaner kit of hiking gear (48-hour notice). Please inquire about what gear is available; we have items for kids and adults, like single/double jogging strollers, Baby Bjorn infant carrier, toddler backpack carrier, hiking poles, etc. Complete loaner kit request form

• Food (we can potluck the side dishes if people want)

• Camping gear (though I have some hiking gear and limited camping gear that you can rent: loaner kit request form)

• Any rental fees, like kayaks, paddleboards, tickets like for the water playground, carousel, choo-choo train, or licensing fees, like for fishing, etc. We will purchase 20 tickets for one session of the water playground in the afternoon ($10-$12, depending on the timing) and rent 2 kayaks ($20 each) for everyone to use in the afternoon, and then you will pay us for these fees if you want to participate.

• Gear like fishing, kayaks, etc

FLAT FEE FOR WEEKEND

CAMPERS
EARLY BIRD 🐦 SPECIAL DUAL-INCOME FAMILY**: $443 ($493 after June 8)
EARLY BIRD 🐦 SPECIAL SINGLE-INCOME FAMILY**: $362 ($418 after June 8)
**Family means you, your partner and kids. One tent + car per family. NOTE: After 1 kid, $20 charge for each additional child to cover treats, educational materials and other fees
*No refunds are provided 60 days before departure date
*Camping trip takes place rain or shine
*Prices increase after June 8 so book early. SPOTS ARE LIMITED!

HOW TO BOOK

1. Add this adventure to your car and checkout!

2. Join the WhatsApp chat (REQUIRED since we use the chat for last-minute info):

3. Complete loaner kit request form: https://bit.ly/loanerkit

4. Add to your Google calendar: 

*Prices increase after June 7 so book early 
*Full payment must be made to secure your spot (we don't take cash; only payment via our website — see options in "how to book" section). 
*No refunds are provided 60 days before departure date. 
*Camping trip takes place rain or shine

WEATHER: The weather reaches the high 70s-low 80s during the day and low 50s overnight, which is generally warm for camping. Please ensure that you have a season-3 sleeping bag (which is the most common one; it's great for everything except snow). I'll be keeping an eye on the weather and will advise you as we get closer to the trip. If you sleep cold, here are some tips on how to stay even warmer overnight.

FISHING LICENSE