Camping is more popular than ever, especially with families. With summer right around the corner, there is no better time to explore the outdoors than on a California camping vacation. With hundreds of beach, mountain, desert and lake campgrounds to choose from, visitors of all ages can easily find their perfect campsite in the Golden State.

According to the Adventure Travel Report (as referenced by the Travel Industry Association), camping is the number one outdoor vacation activity in America, with one-third of U.S. adults having gone on at least one camping vacation in the past five years. And, it's not a solo experience. According to the report, most of these camping travelers are married with children who are also taking part in the adventure.

"Campers in California can literally pitch their tent in a completely new site every night because the state offers an extensive variety of natural settings not found anywhere else," said Caroline Beteta, president and chief executive officer of the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC). "But there is one constant, and that's the connection to nature. Whether it's hiking through a wooded forest, enjoying a lakeside swim or toasting up s'mores around the campfire, campers now have the perfect opportunity to immerse themselves in California's pristine environment at area campsites."

Santa Barbara's air pollution district has a little challenge for you: Leave the car at home.

The district, in cooperation with the city's tourism office, is trying to make it easier to travel green. Hop on an Amtrak train and you could qualify for cheap hotel rates. And, once you're in town, there are ferries, a 25-cent electric shuttle and bike rentals.

"On a vacation, if you drive somewhere, you're not just going to be driving there, you're going to be driving all around when you get there," said Mary Byrd, manager of the program. "You can get here without a car and you'll be fine."

Wherever you're going, taking mass transit, such as a bus or a train, is the best transportation choice if you want to minimize harm to the environment (and it's almost always cheaper than driving or flying).