Monica, it really varies, depending where you're camping. Most places I camp, there are no bugs (lucky thing about Cailifornia camping) and no bears. So if I was sleeping in my car, I'd definitely leave the windows at least slightly open, because I crave fresh air.

The best reason to close your windows would probably be just rain, or if it's really windy and there's a lot of sand blowing around.

Pretty much any campground has some sort of official information number associated with it, or at least for the National Forest or Park or whatever that it's in. The local rangers would have the best advice about wildlife and weather.

And unless you have a really comfy car to stretch out in, I'd say just go for the tent. It will already have netting so you can have the fresh air without any bugs. And if you hear strange noises in the night, it's probably just me clumsily bumping into things on my way to the outhouse....

Trevor

Hello Monica,
I don't know much about camping in Cali, I'm in Minnesota where we DEFinitely have mosquitoes. I have camped in a vehicle a couple times when we have driven up in the evening or it's raining heavily. One thing we learned was to shut our vents because the mosquitoes found their way through being bloodthirsty and all. For peace of mind I would string up the food pack or use a bear box if possible...just a good and safe habit to fall into. Also if it is somewhere rather remote I might consider keeping the windows closed if you're camping by yourself. Again like I mentioned camping there and here may be totally different.
Have a great time and let us know how it goes.

I go camping somewhere every weekend and the places that have problems with animals usually have bear or raccoon boxes. I know of people who have slept in their cars after getting drenched in the rain because they had a cheap tent but not as a preferred method.

If you are set on camping in your car I would sleep with the windows closed until you wake up from it being stuffy and then crack them a little bit until the morning. The skeeters seem to disappear late at night. Find a place that is breezy because that seems to keep the bugs down.

If they have bear boxes make sure to put all your food and toiletries in it versus your car.

Dont go alone sweety... Take a friend. Much safer and much more fun ;)

A heavy canvas bag and a good rope are highly recomended for your food. Food goes in bag, rope goes over tree branch about 10 or so feet up, away from trunk, and you haul the canvas bag up out of reach of bears. The heavy canvas is good for keeping out the smaller creatures that can climb out on the limb.

Also, never, never come between a bear and food. The only thing worse is coming between a mother bear and her cubs.

Sleeping with food in your car or tent is basicly asking to be mauled.

Also, and some will dispute this, don't camp in grizzly country if you are expecting or having your period.

I agree with Goat's post, take a friend.

Also, as has been stated here already, a car is OK for emergency shelter from rain, but if you're camping for enjoyment, get used to being outside, learn how to hang a bear bag, and invest in some reliable equipment to keep comfortable. If you're going someplace with bears, or mountainlions, or swarms of mosquitos, or poisonous jellyfish or whatever, learn more about those animals and how to best share space with them.

And again, take a friend and spend time planning. If you don't take a friend, make sure you leave your itinerary with someone you trust.

-=c

Each location has its problems - learn what they are and cope with them appropriately.

I don't normally sleep well in a car - but I have been known to sleep in the back of the truck (which is 8' long and has a canopy). Never worried about getting enough air back there.

If you have to prevent the bears from getting your food and stuff, take a two-fold approach. I have used a "Bear Blocker II" since 1991, and it's great, but I don't think they make them any more. Unfortunately, that doesn't do me a bit of good when I'm above the tree line, so it's bear cannisters as well. The cannisters have the additional benefit of also keeping smaller critters (like ground squirrels) away from your goodies. You can get bags that hold the cannisters, which help you tie on when you want to hang them in a tree or on a bear pole.

Last time I was in Tuolumne Meadows (in Yosemite), they had put out fliers showing bear damage to cars - and they'd had 511 cars broken into in three weeks.

When the noise bothers me, I use earplugs.

If you really don't like the idea of a bear encounter, camp or backpack with a dog. The dog may never know the bear is out there, but the bear won't want anything to do with the dog, and will leave before being confronted if it can.

Living in the City is just as hazardous as living in the wilderness, possibly more so. You have to learn the appropriate survival skills regardless of what environment you are in. But what works in the City probably isn't going to work in the Wilderness.

Try to find a mentor if you can, buy them a pircher of beer and pepper them with questions - it could save you hundreds of dollars in needless expense and possibly prevent serious injury.