Brett is getting married. Before the ceremony claims him, we owe the man a proper send-off — somewhere with cold water, open sky, and zero cell service. Five options. One weekend. Make your vote count.
- RV is available — RV sites on the table
- Water activities are the priority
- Backpacking for the willing
- Santa Cruz Island: booked. We grieve. We move on.
Choose Two
05 DestinationsBishop Creek RV Park & Lake Sabrina
"Sierra Nevada altitude, alpine lakes, and questionable fish-catching skills"
Riverside RV spots as base camp. Permit confirmed to camp above Lake Sabrina. Blue Lake sits 6 miles up — solid day hike with reported fish in the lake. Lake Sabrina has trout; verify fishing rules before arrival. High elevation means layers even in late April.
Big Sur First-Come, First-Serve
"Show up at dawn. Pray. Win big or sleep in the parking lot."
Campgrounds are booked but hold walk-in FCFS sites. Strategy: We roll up and hope there's a spot. One campsite's First Come First serve has to have something!
Mammoth Lakes
"Bishop Creek's older sibling with a ski resort, e-bikes, and actual restaurants"
Shady Rest Campground — check availability. Multiple alpine lakes: Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Lake George all offer excellent trout fishing. Rent e-bikes and destroy the trails. Mammoth town means a proper bachelor party night if the boys want it.
Kern River & Lake Isabella
"Whitewater, bass fishing, and warm enough to actually get in the water"
Kern River runs Class III–IV rapids — multiple guided outfitters, zero experience required. Lake Isabella carries striped bass, largemouth bass, and rainbow trout. Lower elevation means warmer temps and actually swimmable water in late April.
Anacapa Island — Channel Islands
"Santa Cruz is booked. Its little sibling probably isn't. Same water, fewer people."
This is the Santa Cruz Island backup. Some of the clearest water in Southern California — kelp forests, sea life, the whole dream. Only 7 campsites means small groups have a real shot. Book East Anacapa campsite on recreation.gov.
Cast Your Vote
Tell Brett where you want to go before he's too deep in seating charts to care.
Send It
One thing to say to Brett before the wild. 180 characters. Make it count.