Bill Mai's guide enabled up to make some quick selections based on his descriptions and ratings. His campsites are a highly rated selection already (his criteria are pretty close to ours), the information is fairly good, he gives good input on the best season to go, and his descriptions are very accurate. We ended up going to several campsites he recommended last year and never were disappointed. This year we have plans for several others based on his input.
It is simply an easy way to choose good places to go without having to worry that the site will be less than what our expectations are for it.


Title is misleading - not for backpackers!   February 10, 2000
 28 out of 32 found this review helpful

I bought this book hoping that I would find some nice backpacking spots and get away from the crowds. WRONG! Oh well, it was worth a shot...

Many of the spots in this book allow RVs, and the rest are for car campers only. If that's your thing, then you might be okay - but if you like to get away from people, stick to word of mouth and the favorites of the locals.


I agree with Mr. Glaser's review   July 30, 2001
 17 out of 20 found this review helpful

The author, Mr. Mai, needs to rework the sub-title of his book since most of the sites recommended are not exclusively for tent-camping. It's misleading. But since you're reading these reviews, you won't be among the misled. He has selected campsites that are a bit more out-of-the-way so you have a better likelihood (but by far NO certainty) of avoiding campers with loud stereos.

This book is for car-camping. It is not for backpackers (a point Mat Glaser made in his review). A second edition is now in the works and due to be released in September. We'll see if the author takes our comments into account.


Don't trust it!   September 1, 2003
 17 out of 23 found this review helpful

We packed up and camped at Castle Crags State park because Mai gave it a great review - despite that it was right near I-5 near Mt. Shasta - but he said it was great and not noisy so we believed him. The campsite was seriously RIGHT OFF THE HIGHWAY. You could see cars going by! The noise was deafening from every campsite, especially late at night when the trucks would brake and woke us up several times. We packed up and went to Lassen Volcanic Park and camped at the forest service sites for some peace and quiet and managed to save our vacation. Do not trust this book! I am never using it again.


Carefully researched & well-organized guide for car campers.   May 21, 2002
 15 out of 16 found this review helpful

This is the perfect guide for campers who are trying to escape California's crowded, car-choked campgrounds. Arranged by region (the Coast, Sierras, & Cascade Range),this guide rates and reviews 50 prime campgrounds. Two to three page profiles describe the campgrounds features and include information on nearby attractions and activities such as hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, and bicycling. An easy-to-read sidebar lists contact information, facilities, open dates, parking, fees, and regulations. Written in a friendly, upbeat style, this is an enjoyable and informative read . However if you have the first edition, skip this one. The second edition updates the information but covers the same campgrounds.