Happy Trails - Hiking, biking and camping in California, including suggestions for trailside snacks - Brief Article

Not all of California's hiking needs to be strenuous. One of the best ways to see the state--and all its wonders--is through a series of short nature hikes. Not only are these easier for younger hikers; but also they allow visitors to see some of the unique wildlife and plants that call California home.

Starting at the very top of the state, California's North Coast offers some of the most dramatic sights in Sail of the state. In Humboldt County, hikers can walk beneath a canopy of redwoods, stroll through moss-laden Sitka spruce forests, and take in the rugged and ever-changing coastline.

Children will especially love to explore the tidepool ecosystems along the numerous secluded beaches. Many campgrounds in the area offer guided nature tours, but be sure to bring warm clothing, since even in the summer the air is cool and the fog is thick--this type of climate is ideal for the redwoods, which have massive trunks and shallow root systems. For specific campground information, contact the Eureka/Humboldt County Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 346-3482 or visit www.redwoodvisitor.org.

Close to San Francisco, many travelers zoom through the picturesque Napa Valley in an attempt to sample as much of the beauty--and wine--as they can. Still, the best way to really get a taste of the heart of this breathtaking region is on bicycles or on foot. Try taking a climb to the summit of the towering Mt. St. Helena. On clear days, hikers can see as far north as Mts. Shasta and Lassen and as far east as Yosemite.

Further south along the Central California coastline is another great area for family nature hikes. The coastal towns of Cambria, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Maria all provide visitors with a unique mix of California history and culture. While many visitors enjoy taking in Hearst's Castle near San Simeon or the popular Pasa Robles wine country, many other people travel to the Central Coast because of the bevy of outdoor activities available.

Comb the beaches for seashells or travel to Oso Flaco Lake, near Santa Maria--one of a dozen freshwater lakes in the dunes northwest of the town of Guadalupe. Here hikers can visit a marshland, forest, grassland, chaparral, and desert dunes. For more information, contact the Santa Maria Valley Visitor and Convention Bureau at (800) 331-3779 (www.santamaria.com) or contact the City of Mono Bay at (800) 231-0592.

Still further south--and off the coast of Southern California--is California's small island paradise Santa Catalina Island. Catalina, as it is popularly called, is full of outdoor activities, including sailing, snorkeling, biking, fishing, parasailing, horeseback riding, and, of course, hiking.

Catalina's interior--protected by the Santa Catalina Conservancy--is a wild nature preserve teeming with flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. There are tours to the island's interior, where deer, buffalo, and island fox roam free. The landscape ranges from dry, coastal desert to woodlands, and there are numerous trails to explore either on foot or on horseback. Campground facilities are available.

For more information, contact one of the ferry shuttle services that serve the island: Catalina Express at 9800) 315-7925, Catalina Cruises at (800) CATALINA, or the Catalina Passenger Service at (800) 830-7744.

GET WILD

What would California be without a little bit of Hollywood? If you are along the state's Central Coast, don't miss the Lost City of DeMille, located in the Guadalupe Nipomo Dunes. This is the largest set in motion picture history, created for Cecil B. DeMille's silent epic The Ten Commandments. After the film wrapped, DeMille had the set dismantled and buried.

BACKPACKING SNACKPACING

While a day hike through a redwood forest or a grassy marshland might be awe inspiring, it can become tiresome for younger hikers. Try keeping a bag of Jelly Belly(R) jelly beans or another small tasty treat handy, as well as plenty of water. The surest causes of unhappy campers are fatigue and thirst.

Of course, even grown-up hikers aren't immune to the trials of the trails, and Eureka! Tents has a few more suggestions for trailside dining.

* Dehydrated fruits: Pick up a supply of dried apples, apricots, bananas, and oranges--they are nutritious and lightweight/

* Curried popcorn: Toss popcorn with curry powder, then snack as you wish.

* Pocket sandwiches: Try spreading cream cheese inside a pita pocket, then stuff with sprouts, onion, cucumbers, and avocada. Sprinkle with basil, salt and pepper.

For more information on hiking, backpacking, and camping meals, visit www.jwa.com/camping/kitchen/outdoor.ml.

One warning: If you snack on Jelly Belly jelly beans, you may feel the need to stop at the Fairfield, CA, factory for a tour and to stock up. See map insert of directions, and visit www.jellybelly.com for fun information on "The original gourmet jelly bean".