Plenty of options abound for Labor Day weekend

Helen Leal and Olga Bentulan struggled with the new tent Thursday afternoon, but that was the only hitch in their Labor Day plans.

"This is a girlfriends' getaway," said Robin Rodriguez, who accompanied the sisters. "No men allowed."

"Unless they're this tall," Leal added, gesturing to about knee-high.

The friends, and those who were expected to join them at Modesto Reservoir near Waterford, are joining millions of Californians heading for the hills, beaches and mountains this Labor Day weekend.

More than 4 million Californians are expected to travel more than 50 miles this weekend, 11 percent more than did so last year, according to AAA.

But for those who have yet to make a plan, there are still plenty of options.

From Lake Tahoe to Point Reyes, travel destinations report that they have seen an uptick in the number of reservations compared with last year, which is somewhat surprising given the still-dour economy, said Cynthia Harris, a spokeswoman for AAA.

The travel organization projects that 3.5 million Californians will drive to their destinations over the three-day weekend.

Roughly 315,000 will fly and 170,000 will use a train, bus or boat.

A traveling family of four will spend an average of $1,016 this weekend, according to AAA, and most likely will be visiting family or friends.

Labor Day traditionally is considered the last gasp of summer, although classes resumed at many schools in Modesto and the surrounding cities a couple of weeks ago.

But a three-day weekend is still something to celebrate, and this one will bring relatively balmy temperatures, with highs in the upper 90s Saturday and dropping by 10 degrees or more into Monday.

California's state parks have seen fewer campsite reservations this year compared with last year, said spokesman Roy Stearns.

So far this year, 9,831 campsites have been reserved for the three-day weekend, compared with 10,768 last year. There are 11,000 reservable spaces and 4,000 first-come-first-served sites systemwide, Stearns said.

A search of the state parks Web site Thursday showed reservations available at most of the nearby parks, including Calaveras Big Trees, San Luis Reservoir and Turlock Lake. Walk-in spots were available at George Hatfield State Park east of Newman.

Don Pedro Reservoir isn't hurting for business. The campgrounds are full for the weekend. And they've been full, thanks to the heavy rains and snows of last winter.

"We've been really busy all summer because of the high lake," said Sue Vanderschans, administrative assistant in the reservations department. "But we do have boat-in camping."

At Modesto Reservoir on Thursday afternoon, only about 10 of 36 developed campsites were taken, said Bob Dingman, working the front gate. "Generally, we're pretty well full by this time on a holiday weekend," he said.

While there is still space at some state and local parks, you won't have that kind of luck at popular national parks.

Most campsites in Yosemite National Park were reserved months ago, said Scott Gediman, a park ranger there.

But Gediman said that doesn't mean visiting the park is impossible.

"Where there is wiggle room for people, there are Forest Service campgrounds that surround the park," he said, suggesting that people then make day trips into Yosemite.

Another day trip possibility: Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. The Jamestown park is offering rides Saturday and Sunday. And all three days, a model train group will display scale-model replicas that — like the real trains — run under steam produced by liquid fuel.

Or you can be like the Thornsberry family and friends, and camp at the reservoir. The clan from Empire takes advantage of every three-day weekend to get out and about. As Randy Thornsberry attested, showing off his tan:

"We don't look like this by staying in the shade."

The San Francisco Chronicle contributed to this report.

Bee staff writer Patty Guerra can be reached at pguerra@modbee.com or 578-2343.