My cousin and I are traveling from NC to Toronto First week in August by car. My first time, her second. We have 10 days total including drive time. On the agenda for sure (besides wandering around enjoying the city) are:

Niagara Falls (my first time)
Sail Boat Charter (suggestions? -see below)
Camping (suggestions? - see below)
Any Other Cool stuff you suggest.

Also, I just found out before I wrote this that my cousin's friend is having sudden medical issues so we may also be looking for a place to stay in Toronto (!!!)

Hive mind, please work your magic and let us know what other things we should try. We are open to anything, but leaning towards more cultural, artistic, "spiritual" activities, maybe not so much "touristy" things. (BTW, both of us are considering moving there at some point in the not so distant future... so stuff that shows the inner life of Toronto would be AWESOME)

Also, any recommendations or tips on Camping/Sailboat/Place to stay MUCH appreciated.


Camping - I'd say we are savvy but not "technically experienced". I back-country camped on occasion and have some "OK" gear, my cuz has traveled and car/camped across the USA before. I'd like to do something:
- Not dangerous or "technical" and only moderately strenuous
- 1 Night
- Want Remote, no people as much as possible - Back Country
- Naturally Beautiful (heh, obviously)
- Want to do a REAL campfire (as environmentally conscious as possible, of course)
- This does NOT have to be near Toronto, if it is vaguely on the route from NC to Toronto that's cool, we'll do it on the ride up or back. National/State park, whatever is cool

Sailboat Charter - Looking for a respectable 24-30+ foot boat for a day (or overnight/longer if rates are reasonable seeing as we have no place now) at a decent price in Toronto. I have US Sail Basic Keelboat certificate, and "decent" sailing resume.

Places to stay - This just came up so I'm open to any options, cheaper is good.
Hoping to leave Friday around 1 and looking for something within 2 - 3 hours of San Francisco so ideally would be able to get a spot at a 1st come 1st serve campground. Would prefer a smaller campground, but still car camping as we have some in our group of 4 without much gear to even walk in a mile or 3.

Been focusing on either Yuba river, Stanislaus NF, or Mendocino NF, but the shear number of campsites around all of those makes it hard to find out much detail about them. I've been to a few around Yuba (White Cloud, South Yuba), and 1 in Stanislaus, but would like to try something new if anyone has a favorite out there.

Anyone have any personal favorites that are close to good swimming access and meet the vague requirements above?

Thanks for any ideas!