California State Parks: Donner Memorial State Park (Truckee)

Donner Lake, Truckee

Within the California State Park system my favorite venue is certainly Donner Memorial State Park near Truckee and the Nevada state line.  I took the kids camping there recently - not the first time - and can report that all was as we remembered it.  The sites are spacious.  Each has a bear locker for food, shelving for "stuff," a picnic table, a barbeque and a fire pit.  In other words, everything one needs.  There was an interpretive program around a campfire one evening and there is also a museum near the entrance.  We agreed to make it an annual trek.

Sonoma County Regional Parks: Maxwell Farms (Boyes Hot Springs)

There are wildflowers in bloom at Maxwell Farms, but what's really amazing are the blackberries.  They're so thick they're threatening to cover some of the trails.  This is good news if you plan to bring a bucket in the next few weeks, bad news if you're part of the park staff trying to eradicate the overgrowth.

The meadow is quite dry.  Areas along the trails bordering the meadow have been plowed to reduce the potential fire danger.  But the creek is clear and inviting and waders are often seen there.

Maxwell Farms is a great place to bring a picnic - packed from home or purchased from nearby shops.