RVers needed -- apply at California RV parks

Got snowbird fever? Plenty of cold-weather-haters are already planning their winter destinations, and RV parks in California would love pull RVers in for the season. Here are a few of the "specials" that parks are touting for the winter season:

• Campland on the Bay in San Diego: This park has numerous scheduled activities throughout the fall, including games of capture the flag, dodgeball and horseshoes. The park also has arts and crafts classes, tie dye T-shirt classes, kayaking classes, adult dart tournaments and a skate park. Visit www.campland.com. 
• Emerald Desert RV Resort in Palm Desert: This park has several special events planned throughout the fall, including a pumpkin festival weekend Oct. 25-26 with Halloween inspired drinks for adults and kids, a pumpkin carving contest and a costume parade to visit decorated campsites. Visit http://emeralddesert.com.
• Far Horizons 49er Village in Plymouth: This park, which is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, will have a wine crush weekend Oct. 3, 4, 5 and 6. A “best scream” contest as well as Halloween costume and campsite competitions scheduled for Oct. 17, 18, 19 and 20 as well as Oct. 24, 25, 26 and 27. Visit www.49ervillage.com.
• Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton: This park, which has RV sites as well as park model cottage rentals, has several activities on-site, including the 4th annual Buellton Vintage Trailer Bash, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. Vintage trailers and vehicles will be on display. Visit www.flyingflags.com.
• Golden Village Palms RV Resort in Hemet: This park’s fall activities include classes in Zumba, water aerobics, water volleyball, Tai Chi, Maj Jong, Yoga, as well as groups that regularly gather for arts and crafts and square dancing, Cribbage and Mexican Dominoes. Car shows and craft bazaars are scheduled for the first Saturdays of each month. Visit www.goldenvillagepalms.com.
• Lake Minden RV Resort in Nicolaus: This Sacramento Valley park’s fall activities include a mystery weekend Sept. 20 - 22 with a mystery puzzle competition and a mystery scavenger hunt. A crafters weekend is slated for Oct. 4 - 6 with stations set up for various projects, including seasonal jewelry, greeting cards, scrapbooking and Christmas ornaments. Hydroplane boat races are scheduled to take place on the weekend of Oct. 18 - 20. The park is also planning Halloween themed activities Oct. 25, 27 and 31, including trick or treating and costume dinners. Visit www.rvonthego.com/CA.
• Lake of the Springs RV Resort in Oregon House: This park’s fall activities include family dances on Oct. 5, 12 and 19. The park will also celebrate Halloween on Oct. 26 with pumpkin carving, campsite decorating, a haunted house and trick or treating. A kids’ fishing derby is also scheduled. Visit www.rvonthego.com/CA.
• Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina in Newport Beach: This park will have Halloween crafts, a parade and costume contest on Oct. 26. The resort also offers bicycle, golf cart, kayak and sailboat rentals in addition to guided kayak nature tours and kayak and sailboat lessons. Resort accommodations include 24 park model cottages and 382 RV sites. Visit www.newportdunes.com.
• Palm Springs RV Resort in Palm Desert: This park will have a Halloween parade as well as prizes for the best costumes and best decorating campsite on the weekend of Oct. 25-26. Visit www.rvonthego.com/CA.
• Rancho Oso RV Resort in Santa Barbara: Guests at this park can watch stock dogs herding sheep and cattle every Saturday. The park also offers a bucking bull demo with “baby” bulls that are being prepared for future work in rodeos. Horseback riding trips are also available for riders who are 8 or older. The resort’s accommodations include five rental cabins, plus several covered wagons, which are arranged in a circle around a campfire pit. Visit www.rvonthego.com/CA.
• Santa Cruz KOA in La Selva Beach: This park plans to host “Howlin’ Halloween” events on Oct. 18 - 20 and Oct. 25 - 27 with people and pet costume contests, a campsite decorating contest, a haunted fun train, a haunted house and trick or treating. Visit www.santacruzkoa.com.
• Smithwoods RV Park in Felton: This park plans to host a Halloween spaghetti dinner with Halloween related activities on Oct. 26. Visit www.smithwoodsrvpark.com.
• Springs at Borrego RV Resort in Borrego Springs: This park’s fall activities include Friday night wine tastings and classes in Vinyasa Yoga and water aerobics. Future events will include evening star parties with world-renowned astronomer and sky photographer Dennis Mammana on Oct. 27 and Dec. 1 and 29. Visit www.springsatborrego.com.

Of course, these are just a sampling of some the activities and special events taking place at campgrounds and RV parks across California in the coming weeks. Consumers can find private campgrounds in their area by checking www.Camp-California.com. The site includes links to RV parks and campgrounds, which provide their own “activities” or event calendars, which can help you figure out which parks have activities your family will enjoy.

SOURCE: California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds press release.
photo: californiacampland.com