Campsite booking platform Hipcamp has released its annual guide to the 50 best places to camp in America, highlighting destinations from the cypress wetlands of the Southeast to the forested coastline of the Pacific Northwest. Two North Bay properties made the list among a handful of California selections: Foxfern in Mendocino and The Olive Farm in Novato.
Hipcamp said it chose the sites based on camper reviews and ratings, regional trends, cultural relevance and “spirited debate” among its staff.
For North Bay residents looking for a summer getaway close to home, here’s a closer look at the local picks.
The Olive Farm, Novato
“Four generations have gathered around the same fire ring here,” Hipcamp writes about Novato’s Olive Farm. “Olive trees give the place its purpose.”
Owner Sam Belletto and his father planted the farm’s first olive trees in 2008, with many more planted since. The 10-acre property offers a single group campsite designed for privacy. Guests can stay in a cabin that sleeps four or camp with an RV or tents on a site that accommodates groups of up to 40 people.
Amenities include a picnic table, potable water, a cold-water shower and a portable toilet. A private pond uphill from camp is open for swimming, fishing and small boats. Pets are welcome off leash, but guests must clean up after them. Campfires are prohibited during fire season.
Rates start at $126 per night for the group campsite and $221 per night for the cabin, plus tax and fees. Reserve a stay on Hipcamp.
Foxfern, Mendocino
Tucked into an 8-acre forested property just outside the historic village of Mendocino, the Foxfern campsite offers an off-grid cabin within easy reach of beaches and hiking trails.
Hipcamp describes the cabin as “built by the host from locally milled wood, this cozy cabin sits at the edge of a redwood forest filled with ferns and rhododendrons.” Inside are a full-size bed, futon and a small wood-burning stove, while French doors open onto a wraparound deck and outdoor fire pit.
The cabin has no running water, relying instead on a composting outhouse and a portable handwashing sink, along with solar-powered lighting along the trails. Guests should bring their own drinking water and are encouraged to secure food because bears are occasionally seen in the area.
Rates start at $162 per night, before tax and fees. Optional add-ons include a half-dozen farm-fresh eggs for $6, a petting zoo experience on the farm for $10, and professional photography sessions for $300-$600. Reserve a stay on Hipcamp.
Find Hipcamp’s full guide to its 50 favorite places to camp in America at hipcamp.com/en-US/stories/50-favorites.
