Lake Mendocino Recommendation

My 5th anniversary is coming up on August 10th and my wife's request is that we take the kayaks out for some camping and fishing. I love that woman! 

I'm looking at the campgrounds up at Lake Mendocino, but I've never been there before. Can anybody recommend one campground over another or a particularly good site to me? We'll probably only get to camp Friday and Saturday night, but I may get an extra day or so off from work to extend the trip a bit.

Also, we've never been to Ukiah before. Recommendations for a good restaurant, good brew pub, or other points of interest to keep us busy during the heat of the day would be appreciated too. Thanks!

The campground at the north end launch area is sweet, the one by the dam SUCKS.

The brewery in Ukiah is tragically terrible.  If you like sushi and Japanese food Oco Time is AWESOME 707.462.2422.  Make resevations NOW.  Tell them you want to sit in the garden.  Don't go to any other japanese restaurant in town...terrible.  Schats bakery is also great (downtown) for lunch.  Bluebird Cafe on South State is also delicious.

Parducci Winery is right off of Lake Mendo drive...free genrous tasting of great wine.

Wow, quick response, thanks scwafish!

BTW, your shop is in Ukiah isn't it? If you're open weekends we may try to stop by at least to say hello and check out your store. Thanks for the info!

If you wanna come by just gimme a call. 707.535.9170 I run GWKC out of my house.

Ditto on what Sean said. Also, there is a good Mexican restaurant called El Azreca on South end of Ukiah, The Broiler is a good steak house in Redwood Valley. Another good all around restaurant is  Star's . They do all three meals and have a good banana split!

Enjoy!

If oyu go to the broiler be ready to eat.  I orded the "petite" prime rib and couldn't finish it...it was HUGE.  The food is Old School but tasty.

Kyen Campground has sites that are right on the water, but that campground can be a little "over crowded" for my taste.

Bushay is a little more quiet, but no waterfront sites.

Chekaka is the white trash site that Sean says to stay away from.

 
Bushay Campground
Bushay offers over 100 individual campsites and 3 group camping areas, all with no hook ups. Trails to the lake, picnic tables and picnic shelters are all in the vicinity of the recreation area. In addition, there is an amphitheater in the campground with summer evening shows on Fridays and Saturdays.   Pay shower facilities: 50 cents for 4 minutes, each additional quarter increases by 2 minutes. Potable water from a well.

3 group camping areas; 1 holds up to 80 persons, another holds up to 120 persons, and the other one holds up to 130 persons.

Regular sites - $18.00
Lake View sites - Weekdays $18.00
Lake View sites - Weekends/Holidays $20.00
Group Areas - Deer Camp - $200.00
Little Bear - $200.00
Tata - Weekdays $120.00
Tata - Weekends/Holidays $140.00

 
 
Chekaka Campground
Chekaka Campground's 20 sites are within walking distance to the lake and dam. The campground has vault toilets, no full hook-ups. The south boat ramp is nearby with public phone available. Two day-use areas with picnic shelters, tables and a 18-hole disc golf course are within walking distance of the campground. A 3 mile hiking trail begins at the overlook and loops around to the north end of the lake where a designated swim beach is located.   Potable water from a well.   No shower facilities.

All sites - $10.00
 
 
Kyen Campground & Day Use Area
Kyen offers almost 100 sites and is located on the lake but provides no hookups. Located within walking distance to the lake, swim beach and day use area there's something for the whole family to enjoy. An amphitheater is located in the campground with Friday and Saturday evening shows.   Pay shower facilities: 50 cents for 4 minutes, each additional quarter increases by 2 minutes.  Potable water from a well.

Regular sites - $18.00
Lake Front sites - Weekdays $20.00
Lake Front sites - Weekends/Holidays $22.00
 

Great information, thanks! We decided on Bushay CG based upon Rock Hopper's descriptions and the pictures on the Lake Mendocino web site. We got a lake view site and I figure if we can't walk the boats down a trail, I don't mind making a quick trip in the truck to the launch site.

I've only done a couple of fishing trips in my kayak so far, and I haven't caught much worth bragging about. Hopefully I can hookup with a nice striper or bass while we're there!

Hopefully I can hookup with a nice striper or bass while we're there!

...don't hope but do 


read this: ( By Sean / Scwafish)

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=22