We have contacted Rio Bend RV and Golf Resort in El Centro California. Does anyone have any experience, good or bad, with this resort or the area? It seems a bit pricy but also looks quite noce from what we have seen on the internet, but we all know that things on the internet aren't always what they may seem... Thanks
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El Centro is not a place many snowbirds choose to spend the winter.....not much to do there....Look closer at Yuma, the geographic data is nearly identical, but the demographic data are worlds apart..
when you ride thru the rv parks in Yuma, makes you wonder how many in Alberta and BC stayed at home!!!
We are from Ontario, and stay in Quartzsite, a short ride south to Yuma..since we don't like mega shopping and traffic, Q suits us better and we are gold prospectors. We have things to do we enjoy, just not like Yuma. If you are there in January, stop by and visit the vendor of rocks, crystals and whatever in Q. Its an experience! At least once..Dona
Dona and Elvin
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Hi Gemstone, when you mention about the demographics of El Centro vs Yuma, can you elaborate on this? I have heard that Yuma is more for fully retired folks, of which we aren't. Is there things to do for the younger crowds? We are also not 55 and I have seen most places are "55 plus", and we are only planning for January and February, and have found that many want to cater to those who come in November and stay for 4-6 months. By looking at Yuma on the internet, it looks like a nice place to go, but also looks like we aren't necessarily welcome to stay there.
"when you mention about the demographics of El Centro vs Yuma, can you elaborate on this? I have heard that Yuma is more for fully retired folks, of which we aren't. Is there things to do for the younger crowds? We are also not 55 and I have seen most places are "55 plus", and we are only planning for January and February, and have found that many want to cater to those who come in November and stay for 4-6 months. By looking at Yuma on the internet, it looks like a nice place to go, but also looks like we aren't necessarily welcome to stay there"...
Not sure where you got the bogus info on the 55 parks, or not being welcome....I assume due to being underage....everyone is welcome here. There are tons of things to do....call the Yuma Visitor Information Center 800 293 0071 and request a copy of the Yuma Visitors Guide, you'll have plenty of time to read before next migration season. Or visit on line at www.visityuma.com.
Do a google search for YUMA RV Parks...you'll have pages of information to review....rather not stay in an RV park ?... google "Private RV lots for rent in the Yuma foothills" for other options.
As for things to do....golf (14 courses), bike, hike, boat, fish, get involved with craft classes....woodcarving, quilting, etc., volunteer, or just loaf.
As for demographics....Yuma Demographics both are agricultural towns, both have horrible unemployment, however the winter population of Yuma is said to double with the arrival of the winter visitors (who spend a ton of money), to over 200,000, not sure how many El Centro could accommodate...a google search should provide some data on El Centro...the only things I can think of that El Centro has that Yuma doesn't is a Costco and a Macy's.
A visit to both cities will uncover the differences between Yuma and El Centro.
troyb wrote: We have contacted Rio Bend RV and Golf Resort in El Centro California. Does anyone have any experience, good or bad, with this resort or the area? It seems a bit pricy but also looks quite noce from what we have seen on the internet, but we all know that things on the internet aren't always what they may seem... Thanks
We stayed there for a week or so a few years back. Didn't care for the park. Never play the golf course. It wasn't a great course. Moved across the highway to Sunbeam Lake Resort and absolutely had a hoot. US Navy Air Base a couple of miles north which is the winter home of the Blue Angles. They used the trailer park as a gathering point so there was a airshow just about every day. Large pool and water volley ball every afternoon. Temperatures were in the 90's and the pool was a refuge. There's been a few small earth quakes in the region in the last few years. Unfortunately, not while we were there. For us there was lots of interesting stuff in the Imperial Valley.
Yuma is 60 miles east and we would head over there for our trips into Mexico at Los Algodones tourist trap. We did not venture into Mexicali.
San Diego is only a little over an hour away.
For us, south Texas is closer, less expensive and lots of reasonable golf so we have been heading there for the last 6 years. We keep saying that we will return to El Centro one day to see if it was as good as we remember.
We have stayed on a foothills lot in the Yuma area for about a month on our way to the Salton Sea area for the past two winters. The going rate for lot rentals is around $300 per month, that gets you a fully serviced gated lot (maybe shared with a fellow RVer) in a nice neighbourhood. Electricity will probably cost extra.
We found Yuma to have it's advantages and drawbacks. It's a urban area as opposed to a resort venue (great shopping and amenities but busy sometimes), the foothills area is close to the desert for taking long walks etc and you are close to Mexico so you can walk across the border to take in the shopping.
It would be an ideal place to leave the trailer for an extended period of time. We didn't take in the golf so I can't comment. A couple of things we enjoyed was looking at the Christmas light displays and parade in the Foothills and the Cloud Museum (Model "A" Fords by the hundred) outside town. Don't forget to indulge in a date shake while you are there!
I'm not sure if you have a pet traveling with you, but we found that even at the parks that are pet friendly that only means that they allow pets, not that they have accommodations for them. It can be quite a task to figure out where they are allowed to walk and where they can't and if you wander on the wrong street you will be quickly advised.
We were interested in one of the Foothills parks that was appox. $300 a month and were told we would have to carry our pet outside of the park to walk him and he would not be allowed to go to the bathroom anywhere in the park. They advertised pet friendly, but allowing your pet in the gates and in your RV was as friendly as they got.
We completely respect each parks rights to have whatever rules they choose, and understand their reasons for them, but our pets are part of our lives so just like we look for places that have amenities we need, we also need to accommodate them- which makes our lives easier on the road- or, I should say, in the park.
Thanks for the information coolcanuck. Your insight has changed our minds as to where we will stay. Were interested in Rio Bend cause of the course, but if it's not too great, then that's not good. Sounds like we would either be going to Sunbeam Lake Resort in El Centro or Sparkling Waters in Palm Desert. Any thoughts on these 2 places? Thought of both of these areas cause of their central location for day trips, and golfing.
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