This summer was full of short but sweet trips around our beautiful state of California. We enjoyed lots of camping mixed with visits to see friends and family. I love the timeless medium of film photography, and my family – who are my constant “muses” as I experiment with different analog cameras and film stocks. So for our summer 2023 adventures, I brought various film cameras along for the ride and am sharing some highlights of our adventures captured on film! Read below for more highlights of where we stayed and what we did.

Summer Adventures Captured With 35mm Film Photography | Laura Jaeger

We kicked off our summer camping with a stay at Inn Town Campground in Nevada City, CA. This place was rated the best kid-friendly campsite by USA Today for a good reason. It boasts spacious and clean campsites under the redwoods, along with glamping tents and RV spots. They have a pool, communal kitchen, plenty of picnic tables, grills and a scenic train ride nearby. Located in the beautiful Sierra Nevada foothills, it’s a 5 minute drive to downtown Nevada City with its awesome farmers market, and quaint streets full of shops and restaurants and a half hour drive to the epic Yuba River where the water was super high in early summer due to the record breaking snowpack this past winter.

More Camping Around Beautiful California Campgrounds!

We also made it to the following spots this summer:

Lake Chabot Campground in Castro Valley, CA is a great place for a quick weekend getaway. With lots of group campsites, paths for biking and scooting, and a trial around the lake, it’s a beautiful place to explore, make s’mores around the fire, and sleep under the stars. While you can’t swim in the lake due to algae, you can rent paddle boats to explore on the water.

Hearst Bridge at the Eel River in Willits, CA is off the beaten path but worth the trek. The river winds it’s way through tree dotted mountains and provides a welcome cool-off from the summer heat. We found a perfect spot under a scenic bridge with a rope swing for jumping, swimming and skipping rocks.

Casini Ranch Family Campground in Duncan Mills, CA is another super family friendly camping location. It offers private access to the Russian River where we spent hours floating, swimming, and sunbathing. We didn’t bring kayaks or paddle boards, but will most definitely do so next time. It’s an ideal river set up for all water activities. And only a 15-minute drive to the California coast, we spent one day in beautiful Jenner, CA where we watched huge waves on the Pacific while building epic sand castles and holes.

Local Adventures in San Francisco, CA – 35mm Film Photography

Presidio Tunnel Tops in San Francisco, CA was a highlight among our local, summer day-trip outings. Built into the hillside near the historic buildings of the Presidio and above Crissy Field this park has it all – gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge, beautifully landscaped hillsides and big grassy fields near local food trucks. The main attraction for the kids was the recently built playground. It’s full of interactive structures and play spaces including fort building and water pump areas.

Trips to See Family and Friends

We spent a week visiting friends in the lovely coastal city of Encinitas where we enjoyed lots of backyard hangs, neighborhoods strolls, delicious tacos and even made it to the county fair! Another highlight was going to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park with epic views and even more incredible animals, including tigers and condors. Encinitas is a great spots for families. It’s also only 30 minutes from San Diego and even closer to Legoland in nearby Carlsbad, CA.

Wrapping up Summer 2023 in Capitola, CA

We wrapped up our summer with a few days at the beach in Capitola, CA where we resumed our sand castle making and hole digging, while enjoying the peace and beauty of this part of the state.

I hope you enjoyed checking out what me and my family have been up to during this summer. I also hope you enjoyed seeing the beauty of film photography! Make sure to check out other blogs where you’ll see more 35mm film photography as well. In the meantime, follow me over on Instagram if you don’t already and let’s stay connected!