I am looking for suggestions for the best car/tent camping with a 4.5 year very active, easily bored boy. Central coast or Central Valley or Eastern Sierra California. Preferably near a water-park or pool area. Prefer nice views, and campsites where there is a little breathing room and privacy between sites. I am very experienced backpacker/camper, got all the gear and can be quite self contained including porta potty and shower. I got four days over the 4th of July.


Garv

You may want to consider rivers & lakes rather than pools & water parks, since you are in the National Forest Community. There are many campgrounds in the sierra's that would provide all sorts of activities for a small child - with a parent real close by, of course. The rivers are high and the 4th will be busy.

Not sure what "Central Valley" or "East Sierra" mean but since you have the experience and are a tent camper take a look at Eshom campground in the Sequoia NF. It is a location the native people used long before the white man's arrival - a natural water park in my opinion. Than there are those fabulous campgrounds around Mammoth Lakes in the Inyo NF. Or what about Dinkey Creek cg in Sierra NF (natural water slides!). Take a look at anyone of these on our website.