The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will mull the matter tonight.
Yurts are only part of a five-year effort by the county to attract more campers. Officials recently started putting up Spanish-language posters on buses and light rail advertising “Camp Here,” after surveys showed Hispanics are a promising untapped camping market. But despite those and other efforts – like promoting county parks at various outdoor stores – attendance has still dipped. The sites are booked for only about 17,000 nights a year on average – or between 12 percent and 20 percent average annual capacity.
So, why don’t more people like to camp in the county parks?
Hey, I guess right on the price.
Tom wrote: “So, why don’t more people like to camp in the county parks?”
I don’t use the county campgrounds very often. In the past, 80% of the time when I have, I’ve been annoyed by inconsiderate people who play loud music, bring all of their urban toys with them, don’t watch their kids and/or pets, are careless with fire, and often wind up too intoxicated–they don’t seem to actually be there to enjoy the natural setting.
One reason may be that there are so many other places to camp in the immediate area, as well as really incredible destinations within a day’s drive. I’d much prefer camping at Butano or Portola Redwoods rather than Uvas; Bothe-Napa instead of Grant. And just about everything local pales compared to campgrounds in the Sierra.
I am always surprised how empty and even a little desolate many Santa Clara County Parks feel during the week. Local state parks, San Mateo County parks, and Mid Pen preserves seem to get more visitation. Personally, I don’t care to camp at parks close to cities when no one else is around. There is some comfort (and at least the perception of safety) in numbers. If I want solitude I go camping at one of the National Forests.
I keep forgetting about them and it isn’t very easy to find the info. You need to check multiple counties, figure out which county the park is in, realize that the east bay parks are managed together, and so on.
I guess I just don’t get to the county parks as I go down the list of state parks, national parks, Boy Scout camps and other private camps (like at Pinnacles), national forests, and wilderness areas both state and national. I even have a city park on the list, since I’m in Palo Alto.
Heading up to Lake Alpine for snow camping with the Scouts this weekend. Take Highway 4 to the end of the road and start walking until you feel like camping.