Sleep once under a redwood tree and you won’t soon forget it. Underneath the canopy all is silent and still, and you’ll wake up to the sound of water condensing on the redwood needles and dripping onto your tent.
Grab an unusual chance to camp under some extremely local redwoods at The Great American Backyard Campout, a national celebration of camping with a local overnight party at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland. Usually closed to campers, the 500-acre park is home to the world’s only urban second-growth redwoods, startling panoramic Bay views, rushing waterways and verdant, steep trails. Besides, how often can you camp 20 minutes away from your house? You need a pizza or a diaper, you can make a quick run back over the bridge.
The $8 per person fee includes dinner, snacks, and breakfast, a nature talk, a campfire party, and a star-viewing session. You’ll bring your own camping equipment and set it up, but you have to admit that this is pretty cushy camping.
When: Sat., 6/28 (event continues through Sun. 6/29), 3pm-10am; All ages; $8.
Where: Joaquin Miller Park Large Meadow, 3300 Sanborn Drive (at Joaquin Miller Road), Oakland, 510-238-7275; oaklandnet.com/parks.