Pacific Coast

[#1footballfan]

We are thinking about going over to San Luis Obispo, CA, from Grapevine, TX. Wanted to see if anyone drove from there and north along the coast and have any recommendations as to parks and areas. We will eventually make our way over to Carson City so we can go over to Lake Tahoe. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

We are thinking about going over to San Luis Obispo, CA, from Grapevine, TX. Wanted to see if anyone drove from there and north along the coast and have any recommendations as to parks and areas. We will eventually make our way over to Carson City so we can go over to Lake Tahoe. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Obviously you will be taking I 10 to the coast. We stayed at Tapo Canyon Campground when we did the LA area. It is quiet, a bit out of the way but there is easy access to the freeways to get to the LA need to see sites. Then head over to Venture and take highway 101 up the coast all the way to San Francisco. You will be okay on the road running a 43 footer, but finding any RV Parks from Morro Bay to Monterey will be tough. There aren't many to start with and then add to the mix your length makes it pretty much impossible. San Simeon State Park has a max length of 35. Riverside max 25. I could not determine a max for Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (call to book and conform max length). From Morro Bay to Monterey is only about 150 miles but it is a s l o w drive and because of your size, there won't be many pull outs that you will fit. What I would do is drive your rig from Morro Bay to Monterey and then back track with your towed. Honestly, the drive from north to south is more spectacular IMO. If you do stay near Monterey make sure you take in the Aquarium. Plenty of RV Parks in Morro Bay that will accommodate you. Lots of RV Parks near Monterey starting at Carmel by the Sea but book as far in advance as you can because this area gets busy. We have no recommendations for the San Fran area. We always stay with friends sorry. But San Fran is only an hours drive from Napa and if you like wine this is a must. Napa Valley Expo is our go to. Concrete pads, well manicured and close to the wine! We have not stayed anywhere in the Sacramento area so you are on your own after Napa.

Good luck and safe travels.

 

[#1footballfan]

Obviously you will be taking I 10 to the coast. We stayed at Tapo Canyon Campground when we did the LA area. It is quiet, a bit out of the way but there is easy access to the freeways to get to the LA need to see sites. Then head over to Venture and take highway 101 up the coast all the way to San Francisco. You will be okay on the road running a 43 footer, but finding any RV Parks from Morro Bay to Monterey will be tough. There aren't many to start with and then add to the mix your length makes it pretty much impossible. San Simeon State Park has a max length of 35. Riverside max 25. I could not determine a max for Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (call to book and conform max length). From Morro Bay to Monterey is only about 150 miles but it is a s l o w drive and because of your size, there won't be many pull outs that you will fit. What I would do is drive your rig from Morro Bay to Monterey and then back track with your towed. Honestly, the drive from north to south is more spectacular IMO. If you do stay near Monterey make sure you take in the Aquarium. Plenty of RV Parks in Morro Bay that will accommodate you. Lots of RV Parks near Monterey starting at Carmel by the Sea but book as far in advance as you can because this area gets busy. We have no recommendations for the San Fran area. We always stay with friends sorry. But San Fran is only an hours drive from Napa and if you like wine this is a must. Napa Valley Expo is our go to. Concrete pads, well manicured and close to the wine! We have not stayed anywhere in the Sacramento area so you are on your own after Napa.

Good luck and safe travels.

Rollin, thanks for the info. We will be leaving Vegas and heading towards Barstow for the nite. Then onto Santa Barbara Sun Outdoors. From there we were thinking stopping for a few days at Paso Robles Sun Outdoors. From there going to Carmel by the Sea for like 5/6 nites. From there going to Yosemite RV Resort. Going from there to Silver City - Lake Tahoe area. Staying there during the 4th of July time. Any recommendations on this itinerary ??

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Rollin, thanks for the info. We will be leaving Vegas and heading towards Barstow for the nite. Then onto Santa Barbara Sun Outdoors. From there we were thinking stopping for a few days at Paso Robles Sun Outdoors. From there going to Carmel by the Sea for like 5/6 nites. From there going to Yosemite RV Resort. Going from there to Silver City - Lake Tahoe area. Staying there during the 4th of July time. Any recommendations on this itinerary ??

None other than the scenery from highway 101 is world class. If you can, the Aquarium in Monterey. Safe travels.

 

[lostinfla]

None other than the scenery from highway 101 is world class. If you can, the Aquarium in Monterey. Safe travels.

101 is indeed a beautiful drive. We traveled it from Crescent City, CA. up to Astoria, OR. Bonnie was following me in the toad. Just watch some of the tunnels. A little tight where it necks down at the end....

 

[GUS2000]

I'm allergic to California LMAO

 

[#1footballfan]

I'm allergic to California LMAO

. Now that’s funny

 

[J&JD]

. Now that’s funny

Actually, no, it’s just sad. No use giving travel advice I guess even though we’ve travelled the entire coast of Ca., Oregon, and Washington dozens of times in our 40’er towing our Jeep with no problems whatsoever. No problems with allergic reactions to any state we traveled to/through and we’ve visited all 50. While visiting Louisiana we have had many good times in NOLA with no ill effects.

 

[J&JD]

We are thinking about going over to San Luis Obispo, CA, from Grapevine, TX. Wanted to see if anyone drove from there and north along the coast and have any recommendations as to parks and areas. We will eventually make our way over to Carson City so we can go over to Lake Tahoe. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

You also might want to consider Flying Flags, Avila Beach. It is expensive, but beautiful ocean views. Also, Flying Flags, Buelton to visit the charming Danish town of Solvang. The bakeries are super!
In Monterey, the aquarium is wonderful. I would not go on a weekend. The best time is about 3 pm, and then we would head over to the Sandbar restaurant, sit at the bar for Happy Hour and have their calamari and sandabs! We stay often at the Moss Landing KOA, and drive to Carmel and Monterey. Carmel is one of the most beautiful beach towns in the US, and wonderful restaurants.
If your are a golfer you might want to take the 17 Mile Drive in Carmel along Pebble Beach. Judy D

 

[#1footballfan]

You also might want to consider Flying Flags, Avila Beach. It is expensive, but beautiful ocean views. Also, Flying Flags, Buelton to visit the charming Danish town of Solvang. The bakeries are super!
In Monterey, the aquarium is wonderful. I would not go on a weekend. The best time is about 3 pm, and then we would head over to the Sandbar restaurant, sit at the bar for Happy Hour and have their calamari and sandabs! We stay often at the Moss Landing KOA, and drive to Carmel and Monterey. Carmel is one of the most beautiful beach towns in the US, and wonderful restaurants.
If your are a golfer you might want to take the 17 Mile Drive in Carmel along Pebble Beach. Judy D

Hi Judy, when you guys stayed at Moss Landing, do you remember how far it was to Carmel ???

 

[J&JD]

Hi Judy, when you guys stayed at Moss Landing, do you remember how far it was to Carmel ???

It is about 15 miles. We go several times a year, as we love the area and only about 70 miles from our home. The rv park is very clean, with concrete sites. It is a bit tight, but a nice place to stay in the harbor. If you like artichokes, Pezzini farms is close, and they have the heirloom artichokes that taste like artichokes should.
If you go to Buelton, there are some nice big rig sites in the back corner at the rv park. Avoid the ones closest to the freeway. Good wineries in the area also.
BTW, the drive right along the coast from Carmel to Pacific Grove and Monterey is drop dead gorgeous!
On the way to Tahoe is the cute town of Grass Valley. This is gold country, and historical. There is a really nice, new Rv Resort there, Grass Valley RV Resort.

 

[#1footballfan]

It is about 15 miles. We go several times a year, as we love the area and only about 70 miles from our home. The rv park is very clean, with concrete sites. It is a bit tight, but a nice place to stay in the harbor. If you like artichokes, Pezzini farms is close, and they have the heirloom artichokes that taste like artichokes should.
If you go to Buelton, there are some nice big rig sites in the back corner at the rv park. Avoid the ones closest to the freeway. Good wineries in the area also.
BTW, the drive right along the coast from Carmel to Pacific Grove and Monterey is drop dead gorgeous!

Judy, great information.
Are we able to drive up the coast in our RV or is that only for our toad?

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Highway 101 from top to bottom is Big Rig doable. What you can't do is many pull offs. The road was built many many years ago and they were not intended to accommodate large vehicles. We parked the coach (and ours small) and toured with the towed. A seriously amazing trip is from Port Angeles, Washington following 101 to Aberdeen then along the coast all the way south to LA. There are some legs that do not hug the coast but that gives you the opportunity to see the Redwoods and a lot of other worthwhile sites. A couple of cautions. Should you decide to follow the coast on highway 1 to take in the glass beach at Fort Bragg and on down to San Francisco DON'T exit at Leggett. Continue down to highway 20 to move over. Highway 1 from Leggett to Fort Brag is limited to vehicles under 28 feet. Even using a towed (unless your towed is a motorcycle) the speed you will most likely do is 10 MPH. Steep, winding, switchbacks, hairpins and nothing but forest to look at until the very end. Don't do it!!

Safe travels

 

[J&JD]

We totally agree! We made that mistake once in our previous 36 foot motorhome! NEVER again. Judy D