Seemingly Few Bay Area Camping Burns

[MacGlenver]

There is a decent chance I may move from Atlanta to the Bay Area in the next year, so I've been checking out the local scene.

Obviously SF is the mecca for burners, but I'm finding that there are few large regional burns in the area and am just sorta surprised. I've checked all over the net, including the B-man regional site and wikipedia's regional events list. I see that there's Soulfire Pre/De compressions (3 day camping events, yay!), a few music camping events (though not burns by a long shot nor super close to SF, eg. Symbiosis), and lotsa burner gatherings/meet-ups/parties (eg. the SF Decompression). I've heard of things like Rainbow Gatherings, but I'm not sure those are quite my style.

In Georgia we have Alchemy (3000 people) and Euphoria (700+ people), and both allow fire art/spinning and have big effigy burns (they're located on a private farm with trees & a stream/pond). Those two events, plus b-man mean I get at least 3 proper camping-style burns a year where I can build structures, bring a moderate sound system, etc. Soulfire, however, says they don't allow open flames beyond Coleman type stoves, and it appears to have a pretty small population & has hot tubs, a kitchen, showers, etc (not "primitive camping", obviously), and doesnt appear to allow people to play their own music at night (could be wrong on that one).

I don't mean to insult Soulfire or any of the other regionals/gatherings (I'm very glad they exist and will surely go if I move to SF), but am I missing something? Surely there is a beautiful plot of land in the bay area or within 100 miles that can be rented for a full-on LNT, art-installation, fire art, 3+ day primitive camping event with 500+ people...

I know, "do it yourself", and I gladly will if possible, but I suppose I just assumed there would be a full-on "mini-burn" in the Bay Area or close proximity.

Perhaps fire-hazards are an issue? Perhaps there are some laws that make creating such an event difficult? Perhaps the local burn community gets enough from B-man and the gatherings/parties in the area? Do most of the SF people drive up to Oregon/Washington or down to LA or San Diego for their events instead?

[mudpuppy000]

LA is FINALLY having their first campout this month. (super excited about that) San Diego has had one for a while. I don't know the reason for the lack of camping events in LA/SF, but I'd be happy if there were more.

There's also a bunch of unofficial burn-y events like LunarBurn, and Lightning in a Bottle (more like a music festival, but still fun)

[MacGlenver]

Thanks... Suppose I'm just validating that I'm not crazy and that there really arent any events I'm missing. Perhaps 4th of Juplaya and a long drive to some other Regional burn will have to substitute. Or maybe I'll fly back to ATL for Alchemy... It sounds weird to say that I'd consider flying from SFO to ATL for a burn, lol, but Alchemy rocks...

[MacGlenver]

Dont suppose anyone can offer any theories as to why there are so few big regionals in the area. I can't fathom how, with all the burners in the area, someone hasn't started one of these... I guess it's just the huge amount of work involved...

[mudpuppy000]

I'm guessing it might have something to do with all the burner events going on all the time. Seems like there's always some sound camp throwing a party/fundraiser in SF. Those are fun, but not quite as satisfying as a multi day event (for me at least)

[Ugly Dougly]

Regionals are masturbation. Burning Man is sex.

[MacGlenver]

Regionals are masturbation. Burning Man is sex.

Yeah but sometimes it's nice to skip all the expense and foreplay

[Chowski]

I've noticed the same. There are often events in the city, but they tend to be sound camp fundraisers held indoors. Frankly, I'm not a club/dance/trance/dubstep/dj type so I don't go to these. But we do have a pretty good Decompression and the Howe Wierd Street Fair - http://howweird.org/ - which, although not a camping event, is fun and pretty surreal. It takes up several city blocks adjacent to the business district (and is directly under my office). Last year, on the Monday after, one of the more uptight lawyers in the Big Evil Law Firm that employs me complained that he had to leave the office on Sunday because there was a horrible hippie rave on the street! I guess we're doing something right.

[9ah]

But SF has Dore Alley, Folsom Street Fair, How Weird Street Faire and a ton of other cool events!

In NYC other than parties and the weekly happy hour there isn't too much. The closest regional camp style event includes a drive to MD. Non-burner events tend to be the norm here, Mermaid Parade and such.

[Ugly Dougly]

The OP was axing about camping burns.
Really. It takes a fair bit of organization and people power - and combined will - to do something like this.
If you do this in another region, the motivation is, "let's have our own Burning Man here".
If you do that in the Bay Area, most of the talent is focused on the "real" Burn, and the motivation for making a second burn happen is not really there.

That said...
South Bay Burners have an event at Lupin. Never been to it, but it must be good. It's not a real desert camping burn, but there are other ways of celebrating besides imitating Larry's party.

[MacGlenver]

Really. It takes a fair bit of organization and people power - and combined will - to do something like this.
If you do this in another region, the motivation is, "let's have our own Burning Man here".
If you do that in the Bay Area, most of the talent is focused on the "real" Burn, and the motivation for making a second burn happen is not really there.

That sounds about right, I suppose. Phooey . Saw the Lupin event (Soulfire), so will definitely check that out if I end up moving out there. Guess I'm actually kinda spoiled with all the big Atlanta burns in addition to Bman (plus Transformus is close by, if i ever make it to that one).

[Eric]

There are also events that involve Burners & camping (or overnighting) that aren't Burn related. Parties on home-made boats in a lake, parties with groups on private property with hot springs, parties up & down the coast...

I get invited to these (or hear about them) through connections to friends, or occasionally facebook. Once you start getting plugged in out here you'll discover stuff, but, like has been said, I think most of the "Burn" energy here is towards the Big Event.

[MacGlenver]

A good point -- thx, Eric. I'll be sure to invite myself to everyones parties if I move out there . I may start doing the REALLY early entry thing too (DPW, etc.), since that'll be more realistic if I actually live there. Maybe then I'll get my burn fill

[Rice]

Being a burner and all, why don't you make it happen???

The closest regional burn I can get to is called Freezer Burn, its in Alberta Canada (about 700Km [430 Miles] from where I live. They tend to plan for a whole year and have dozens of people in the process.

I have been talking with our Regional rep about having a regional burn here in Saskatchewan, and there is a whole bunch of planning that needs to be done... (since we are are about 250 strong and scattered over an area larger than California, it is a bit of a challenge {smirk})

[MacGlenver]

Being a burner and all, why don't you make it happen???

Not out of the question, but surely a long way off given that I don't yet live there. Note my earlier comment: "I know, "do it yourself", and I gladly will if possible, but I suppose I just assumed there would be a full-on "mini-burn" in the Bay Area or close proximity."

This was a fact finding mission.

[Ugly Dougly]

On the bright side, the jaunt to the desert will be a day trip.

(BTW, nobody mentioned Juplaya, and it's well that nobody did.)

[MacGlenver]

On the bright side, the jaunt to the desert will be a day trip.

(BTW, nobody mentioned Juplaya, and it's well that nobody did.)

True that, plus I can finally build one of Figgy's trailer homes! I did mention Juplaya in my second post, but I'm glad people overlooked it or I might have been beaten with a bag of doorknobs. Carry on, nothing to see

[theCryptofishist]

I think there may be some concentration of activity around Santa Cruz. Can't swear to it, and the one I can think of might be more private. Otherwise, yes, there's just so much to do for the big burn that we don't bother with one of our own.

[Mojojita]

I think that once these events get started they seem to take on a life of their own - but getting one started takes a big leap of faith along with a lot of dedication and work. I can't say enough about how magical watching the coming-together of the new BEquinox LA burn has been. Way to go LALA! Two weeks to go, and I can't wait.....

[aserendipity]

There are many events
but being part of them will be up to you
just think of the magnitude of the population

[trilobyte]

From spring through mid-fall, there is a deluge of campouts aimed at bay area residents. Seriously. During a few peak weekends there are even multiple campouts happening. Nothing in the city proper of course (you'll get that when things are packed in tight and surrounded by water on three sides), but all within a few hours' drive. As for someplace closer that ticks all the right boxes, it's not as easy as you think. Don't believe me, go ahead then, buy a place that fits the bill and prove me wrong by throwing an event that does all those things