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I Need Some Advice on a Western Trip


RandV

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I posted this on another forum, and got quite a few responses.  However, there were lots of conflicting opinions, so I thought I would try here.  Also, we are not Escapees members at this time, but would consider joining if there were any advantages re campgrounds, etc

Here's the question:

My wife and I (mid 60's, no kids) are planning a trip from  Vancouver, BC to San Diego from about June 1st  to Sept 15th. We have a 26' TT (overall length). We plan to stay mostly on the coastal highway but will go inland for anything worthwhile.

I realize this is the the busiest season, but this is when we can go. Looking for any advice re places to camp (RV parks, dry camping, state/county/unique ideas), along with any ideas on places to avoid, etc., with an eye to beating the crowds, when possible. 

Also, any suggestions on things to do and see. We plan to spend a few days in LA and SF, not usual RV destinations, so any tips for these areas would be especially useful.

Thanks! 

Riley

 

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I'll assume that you aren't going to spend much time in Washington state since it is in your back yard, correct?  I'd suggest you pick a start back date, when you need to leave SD to head north.  Assuming that you take I-5 north come fall, you'd be looking on heading north after our Labor Day.

I start down to Portland and then go out to Astoria and spend at least 6 weeks getting to Sonoma Valley.  I'd stay in Petaluma area, drive your car to Larkspur ferry terminal, park your car for the day, take ferry To Fisherman's Wharf and walk, cable car to explore downtown SF, taking ferry back in the evening.  Do you like wine, Sonoma & Napa valleys are know for that and great fun.    I don't know the condition of Highway 1 down the Central Coast towards LA.  Highway 101 is no problem, but after this year's storms Highway 1 is blocked in areas.  But there are a lot of roads out to areas of interest on 1 from 101.

we use membership parks up and down the coast, so I'll leave those suggestions to others.  That said, there is a fairgrounds in Eureka, CA that we stayed at for several days, using the car for exploring.  In King City, CA there is a county park that we can also recommend.  

Barb

Barb & Dave O'Keeffe
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Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net
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OP here.  Thanks for the prompt responses.  Two more things:  I'm aware that the coast highway near Big Sur, CA will be closed for about a year, and we will be starting our trip south from Vancouver, but we will be driving there from our home in Florida.

Thanks!

Riley

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If you like wine there are some good wineries in Temecula in Southern California. I hear the Pachanga and Pala casinos have nice campgrounds in and near Temecula.

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Dont forget about Jojoba Hills SKP park outside of Temecula.  And Pechanga has VERY high ratings for their RV park.  Then San Diego has lots of diversity in their geography, esp when West to East are considered.

Also, consider some beach locations south of Oxnard where there are some beach camping.  I used to use the facilities at Sycamore Canyon, mostly for mountain biking but they also have a small camping area.  Its a state park facility.  

Marcel

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If you are coming down the Hwy 101 corridor in northern CA I can recommend Redwood River Resort.  It is a nice location in the redwoods near the Avenue of the Giants.  It isn't anything special as far as a park, but it is decent and the location is good.  It is right across the street from Confusion Hill.

We also really like the Willits KOA.  It is close to the redwoods and not too far from the coast for day trips in either direction.  It also has a Skunk Train stop in the park so you can board and ride the Skunk Train from there.  If you do stay here, inquire about their hot tub sites.  They have three sites that have private patios and hot tubs right at the site.  If you have a large rig, site 69 (hot tub site) will be the easiest fit.

I agree with Barb about staying in Petaluma and day tripping to Marin and San Francisco.  There is a KOA in Petaluma that is convenient for this.  If wine is your thing, then a jump over to Napa and a stay at the Napa County Fairgrounds would be worth it.  It is also fairly convenient to stay in Petaluma and then head north and east for the day to the many Sonoma County Vineyards in the area.

If you want to be at the coast in Sonoma County we really like Doran Beach (Doran is a county park with no hook ups), but there are other campgrounds (with hook ups) in the Bodega area as well.  There are also some very nice campgrounds along the Mendocino County coast like Westport and others.

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I consider the Oregon coast, on down into California to Eureka,  to be the most spectacular stretch of coastline in the USA. I would plan to spend several days investigating that stretch because the road while not a major problem, is such that you won't likely be doing a lot of looking while driving. Our first trip down we would travel for 100 miles or so one day then stop for two nights so we could go back to see what we missed at a leisurly pace. In the Crescent City area is the redwood state and federal parks so that is also a must see. We stayed two nights in Crescent City to spend a full day viewing the big trees. 

 

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We took US Hwy 101 south then onto CA Hwy 1 and it was lovely. But, it takes you right through San Francisco on city streets. And we were in a 24' Class C Which was plenty big enough when making that drive. But, we got to experience a drive not many RVers do.

Linda Sand

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Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van

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You just have to exit 101 as you come off the bridge onto Highway 1, which goes on to be 19th avenue under the Presidio then straight down to where it meets I-280, and Highway 1 goes west and I-280 runs into Highway 101 south of San Jose.   Key is to say in middle lane while going down 19th avenue.  Reverse is also the way to go north, which we did with motorhome - no toll on Golden Gate going north.  View is gorgeous on sunny day, a bucket list check off.

Barb & Dave O'Keeffe
2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID
Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net
SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834

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Thanks for the info to avoid going through the middle of SF, and for the tip on staying in Petaluma to day-trip to SF.  Anyone have any other tips for staying/doing around the Bay Area?

I'd like to mention something I did several years ago that was great fun:  Rent a bike in the Fisherman's Wharf area (lots of places) and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge, into Sausalito (all downhill from the bridge, IIRC) and take the ferry back to SF.  From the ferry back to Fish. Wharf is all flat I believe.  From FW to the bridge goes through some interesting areas.  There are some hills, but not too bad.  I am not a cyclist, nor was I in good shape.  Most anyone can do it, and it was a spectacular experience!

 

Riley

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We like to plan ahead as far as activities and things to do and see. However we never reseve places to stay. We are retired and do not follow a schedule anymore. So a part of our preparedness is to be ready to boondock or parking lot camp at any time. This gives us flexibilty and at the same time eliminates dissappointment. So my advice would be to research places like this for plan b purposes.

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Best place to stay in Napa is the Napa EXPO, which is at the country fairgrounds, but don't let that discourage you.  They have very large and long paved sites with grass in between and landscaping.  Full hookups as well, but best thing is that it is close to downtown and walkable to restaurants and the Oxbow Market, where you can buy vegetables and enjoy a good meal or two.  But you will need reservations at the EXPO as it is very busy all year. My son lives in Napa, so I stay there when I am in town and use my bike all around town.  If you like to cook, stop at Shackford's on Main Street.  They have every cooking gadget you could ever want!  Also at fairgrounds is a wine-makers shop where you can rent a press or buy a thousand bottles and corks, if you have the need. 

Just a warning--U.S. 1 from Fort Bragg to Leggett is VERY curvy, especially the part north of New Port.  I drove it in my 32' Class C, but would NOT do it again, ever!!  There were absolutely no shoulders, and if there happened to be a redwood that stuck into your lane a few inches, they just paved around it!  Lots of big drop-offs and hairpin turns, as well as big logging trucks that barreled around the corners and down the hills.  Scariest place I have driven in five years.  U.S. 20 from Willets east is almost as bad.  Somewhere, there is a list of 10 worst highways to drive in a big vehicle and this is one of them.

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There are lots of nice state parks in Washington and Oregon.  I have done that drive twice and am going back to some places this September.  You can check my blog pages for each of those for pictures of campgrounds and places to visit. 

I highly recommend Newport, Oregon, for the marine research center and the brewery in town.  I stayed at South Beach State Park.  Also, recommend Bandon, OR, for the best bakery on the coast and the most interesting port with woodcarvings along the harbor.  Lots of nice restaurants in town, also.  Parking for RVs in on a dirt lot near the harbor, but very close to shops.

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  • 2 weeks later...
1 hour ago, Captain Happy said:

I don't think anyone else has brought this up, but on Hwy 101 there's a bridge out south on Montorey & Big Sur, And it's going to go for quit awhile.

The bridge that is out is on Highway 1, not Highway 101.  It is the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge.

2000 Kenworth T2000 w/ Cummins N14 and autoshift
2017 DRV Mobile Suite 40KSSB4 with factory mods, dealer mods and personal mods - now in the RV graveyard
2022 DRV Full House MX450 with customized floor plan
2018 Polaris RZR Turbo S (fits in the garage)
2016 Smart Car (fits in the garage or gets flat towed behind the DRV when the RZR is in the garage)
My First Solar Install Thread
My Second Solar Install Thread & Photos and Documents Related to the build
My MX450's solar, battery and inverter system - my biggest system yet!

chadheiser.com      West Coast HDT Rally Website

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OP here.  Yep, I'm aware of that issue.  Have been to that area before, so will plan accordingly.  Our schedule has finally become clear - we are leaving Tampa May 1, arriving in Vancouver BC around May 25, heading south from there around June 1st.  Just in time for the crowds, I know, but our only choice.

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions, info and advice.  Keep 'em coming!

Riley

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To bad you aren't coming straight across and going north with the spring.  May can be somewhat raining in the PNW, with the weather getting better as the summer goes on.  We will spend the month of May working our way from Phoenix area to Seattle - - just behind the rain.

Barb & Dave O'Keeffe
2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID
Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net
SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834

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On 3/21/2017 at 5:58 PM, Kirk Wood said:

I consider the Oregon coast, on down into California to Eureka,  to be the most spectacular stretch of coastline in the USA. I would plan to spend several days investigating that stretch because the road while not a major problem, is such that you won't likely be doing a lot of looking while driving. Our first trip down we would travel for 100 miles or so one day then stop for two nights so we could go back to see what we missed at a leisurly pace. In the Crescent City area is the redwood state and federal parks so that is also a must see. We stayed two nights in Crescent City to spend a full day viewing the big trees. 

 

:DThat's worth repeating, but you said it all.

I have a cousin who lives at Yahats, OR (also owns a B&B). When we visit him and his wife we stay at Sea Perch RV resort. There were numerous pull-outs large enough for us to park our dually and 40' 5er for pictures and sightseeing along the coast highway.

A DO NOT MISS sight is the giant Redwoods in N. CA. We parked across the highway from the Indian reservation HQ in their CG FHU/30A hookups.

The only place we made a reservation was Sea Perch RV Resort, because they are continuously full in warm weather says my cousin.

 

 

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