Recommendations California First time RV Trip

Discussion in 'Trip Planning and Travel Concerns' started by firstime, Mar 24, 2015.

  1. firstime

    firstime
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    Hi we are from Ireland and are heading over to California to experience a RV holiday as we have nothing like this here. We are starting off in San Francisco at the end of May and plan to travel around for 11 days. Now we need to plan on where to go!! Any suggestions of must sees and the best campgrounds to stay at for RV travelers.
    Go raibh Mait Agat Aoife.
     
  2. BankShot

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    Welcome to California "firstime" -

    I can give you a couple of suggestions for RV parks to try. If you are heading north up I-5 you might check out Rolling Hills Casino & RV park just south of Red Bluff. A bit further up the road just south of Redding is a nice park located right on the Sacramento River called JGW RV park. And if by chance you venture further up I-5 up into the state of Oregon by all means check out 7 Feathers RV Resort in Canyonville, Orgeon. Heading south on I-5 or Hwy 99, there are two rally nice parks in Bakersfield. First one is the Bakersfield RV Resort, the other is Orange Grove RV park. If you travel on Hwy 101 there's nice park in Arcata, CA called Mad RIver Rapids RV park. These are just a few of the nicer parks we've run across in our travels. You can check the reviews on each one before you go to see what others think about them, etc. I have no clue as to what your closing remarks mean so I'll close this by saying Have a wonderful time RVing and may your travels bring you many great memories to take back to Scotland with you...................

    Best regards Bankshot (Terry)
     
  3. BankShot

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    Hey there again firstime -

    Oh boy did I make an error or what!!! Sorry about using the word "Scotland" as being your home base. Don't even know where that came from so hope you'll overlook and forgive my little "typo". Sometimes us Californians just can't seem to spell right..............:(

    Again, best wished for a safe and great trip, Bankshot
     
  4. nedmtnman

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    San Fransisco has a lot to see and do by itself. Across the Golden Gate bridge is Point Reyes that I would recommend and then go South on US 1 to Big Sur if possible. There is so much to see and do it is hard to recommend a plan. Yosemite is due East of San Fransisco and if possible that is a must see. Yosemite Lakes campground is just 5 miles from the east gate. I imagine you will get more suggestions so have a good time.
     
  5. BankShot

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    I'm surprised not to see several more members joined in on this thread by now. Guess everyone must be out on the road? Anyway, I would like to submit for your consideration a couple more areas that might be enjoyable for you to explore on your travels thru California in May. You might consider driving east up I-80 out of San Fransisco as far as Reno, Nevada, just a few short miles over the state line. There are several RV parks in the general Reno area to choose from that are very accommodating and that would make for a nice overnight stay or longer should you choose to drop some money in the casinos, etc. to help bolster that state's economy a bit.........:D. From Reno you could drive south down Hwy 395 and stay at the Topaz Lake Casino & RV Park right on 395. Smaller park but in a nice location with a view of the lake and good food at the casino. Further down the road and just south of Lone Pine is Boulder creek RV Resort which warrants a stay also. The scenery driving down Hwy 395 is beautiful and the road itself in May should be open the entire way as there has been little to no snow on the ground this season. Once you get down south in the gerneral San Bernadino area you can continue south to San Diego, go west to LA, or east towards Arizona depending on your time schedule and what you want to see and do. California is a big state and in 11 days there is no way you can see it all. As nedmtman suggested Yosemite is also gorgeous in May but it can be very crowded especially nearing the end of the month when we celebrate our Memorial Day holiday weekend so be careful if you plan on going there. Hope this helps you a bit more in deciding where to point the nose of your RV. Lots of great places in the state to travel to and see, I'm sure you'll have a great time exploring no matter which direction/s you take......

    Regards, Bankshot
     
  6. TXBobcat

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    If you start toward southern California, stop in at Yosemite National Park and see the large Redwood Trees. It is east of San Francisco. Then head south toward Fresno and see the Sequoia National Park that has trees you use to drive through. Don't think you can much anymore. Been a long time since I was there. If you feel like traveling further south and can make it to San Diego you have to stop in and see Balboa Park. It is the largest Zoo in the US, I think it still is. Right near Balboa Park is a great auto museum and an air museum both are outstanding. You can cruise around San Diego and make your way out to the 7th Naval yard and see many of the US Navy ships. And of course if you plan to go as far south as San Diego, on the way you might stop by
    Anaheim and go to Disneyland. I truly hope you enjoy your RV Experience here in the US. Remember, when you stay at an RV Park people are usually fully open to talk to you. Don't be bashful. I have met many families from Europe and enjoyed talking to them. Ask someone to tell you about Smores. They are great, especially if there are children around. They eat them. Uuuummm Good.

    Travel safe and may God Bless.
    BC
     
  7. Traveling man

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    Welcome! I lived in California for about 30 years and still didn't see everything. When I'm back I always try to get back to the coast, as it's beautiful. Try to enjoy the smaller towns, not just the big cities- places like Monterrey, Carmel etc. are all interesting. If you go from Northern to Southern California highway 101 goes through a lot of interesting and historic areas. You could easily spend a week in San Diego area. One tip: if you drive through areas such as San Francisco-San Jose or Los Angeles with an RV be aware that the major highways are jammed with commuter traffic (going in) in the morning and (out) in the late afternoon/early evening.
     
  8. Onemoretrail

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    Since you have limited time to visit the Bay area it probably would be good to focus on what interests you the most and just visit those areas.

    Some points of interest within a days drive of San Francisco are:
    Historic missions from the Spanish and Mexican era.
    Napa and Sonoma valleys famous for vineyards and wineries.
    San Francisco alone could take several days to visit.
    The Redwoods close to the Bay area such as Muir Woods and Big Basin.
    Monterey Bay beaches, golf courses, and further south Big Sur.

    Pick up a good guide for the area to see what works out for you. Good luck!
     
  9. Luvtheroad

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    If you go to Reno, NV, I would recommend Gold Ranch Casino RV Park in Verdi. Very nice park with hiking available right out of the park (in fact, the back of the property is on the California state line). Very close to Reno attractions and convenient to Lake Tahoe.
     

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