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The old saying, “The coast is clear” takes on more than the usual meaning for camping enthusiasts. It is a statement of reason to go camping in early winter, maybe over the holidays; and there are numerous good reasons.

The coast is clear ... of those pesky June Gloom clouds (well, for the most part, anyhow) we seem to have for about four months out of the year. December is typically tranquil, with the exception of an occasional storm system. This is our quietest time in terms of winds, although we must stay on guard for the infamous Santana (a.k.a. Santa Ana) offshore winds.

The fire season is over this year, thanks to recent storms, and maybe we can head to some mountain campgrounds that weren’t open earlier. Heavy jackets and thick sleeping bags are necessities, because nights and mornings are chilly in December and January. During the middle of day, folks are often comfortable in t-shirts.

The coast is clear ... of hoards of tourists and campers. I don’t mean to badmouth tourists, because we depend upon them for our local economic survival, and also because every time we visit another town, we take our turns at being the tourists. But it sure is nice to find a quiet campground.

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The coast is clear ... of local campers, because camping just isn’t a major pastime in early winter. It should be. The campgrounds are just as beautiful in winter as they are in the summer, and the crowds are way down. Those are good reasons why a camping trip is a better relaxation remedy now than it was during the Ssmmer.

There is something luxuriously relaxing about a campground with only a handful of spots taken. Each group has room to spread out and not worry about all the social issues involved with having neighbors just a few yards away in the next campsite. Also, the recreational facilities available at a given campsite are equally uncrowded and readily available.

A camping trip may just be the perfect way to surprise the family or romantic interest. It can be a delightful break from the high-stress tasks of the holidays. It seems wise to keep things simple, while camping, because that provides the maximum relaxation factor. A little relaxation can go a long way during the holidays or early January to de-stress from the holidays.

The coast is clear, for choosing a campground on the waterfront. It might even be possible to get in at Refugio — the all-time favorite campground of many campers.

The lake campgrounds, such as Cachuma and Casitas, are gorgeous places, and feature plenty of wildlife viewing, as well as fun fishing options. Mountain campgrounds can be quiet and inviting places in early winter, but it is wise to check with the National Forest Service about closures, before making a substantial drive.

— Capt. David Bacon operates WaveWalker Charters and is president of SOFTIN Inc., a nonprofit organization providing seafaring opportunities for those in need. Visit softininc.blogspot.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.

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