Deal All
I have booked an RV to pick up in Las Vegas and drop off in San Francisco 8 days later. RV is 27 ft, wife and 2 kids aged 11 and 13. As a Brit who has never been to California before I would greatly appreciate any tips on the best route and the best places to see/things to do along the way.
I tried to get into the Yosemite RV parkes when the auction opened but was not successful. But I would love to hear of some beautiful places to see; some fun things to do and most importnatly what route to take. I was thinking about staying just outside Vegas on night one; then Barstow and then up teh 395 and then across the Tioga pass.
I'd be hugely grateful for any suggestions - thank you so much
I think going up Tioga into the back side of Yosemite is a good plan. You can visit the valley and stay outside the park. I would also try and get north of SF for a couple days on hwy 101 and visit the humboldt redwoods.
Simon,
Primarly because of your time limit of 8 days, I would suggest the following trip.
1. optional - Bryce, Zion and the North side of Grand Canyon. Great area, every one should see them once. There is a campground on the north side.
2. If you choose not to go to the Grand Cayon, I would leave Las Vegas and drive to Bakersfield (good RV park " RV Country" 3 miles before you get to Bakersfield on left side of Hwy 58. Barstow is a hole in the desert and only has one campground and not much to see. Tioga Pass is beautiful but not the most RV friendly. Check before you start to see if Pass is open/snow. 1-800-427-7623
3. From Bakersfield south go on I-5 to Hwy 126, go west to hwy 101, go north to Santa Barbara. play in the Ocean, plenty of sight seeing around the down town area. RV park on the north side of town.
4. Continue north on 101 to Pismo Beach. 2 state parks. Ocean, pier for the kids to fish from, body surfing, neat down town area, great clam chowder. Hurst Castle a few miles north is worth seeing.
5. Continue north on Hwy. 1 (beautiful scenic road along the Pacific Coast), stop in Monterey for some sight seeing but continue on to Santa Cruz. Take kids to Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Great for kids. 2 state parks to stay in.
6. Continue north on Hwy 1 through San Francisco over the Golden Gate bridge, continue to town of Petaluma then go west to hwy. 101. Continue north and stop at any ocean town that strikes you interest. The Red Wood Forest is north on 101 is worth seeing.
7. You'll just be almost out of time and ready to return to San Francisco Email privately if you want more details. Have a great trip. You might want to use Good Sam Campgroud web site to find RV campgrounds.
* This post was
edited 05/17/12 06:28pm by djgarcia *
It is a choice between beach or mountains coming into California. What time of year will you be here? There are parks available outside Yosemite. Come over the 58 and then cut up 99 to 49 in Fresno to get to some great camping spots. Lots of National Forest Campgrounds.
Then cut across to Santa Cruz/Monterey for a day or two to see the Aquarium and have fun at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and see the Redwoods. This is where we live.
Then you can head up the coast route Hwy 1 and stay in Pacific at the San Francisco RV resort to park the camper and go into SF by Cab or bus.
If you like wine tasting there is some in the foothill off Hwy 49, in the Santa Cruz Mountains and you can head over the Golden Gate to Sonoma County for some great wine! My birthplace.
I have booked an RV to pick up in Las Vegas and drop off in San Francisco 8 days later. RV is 27 ft, wife and 2 kids aged 11 and 13. As a Brit who has never been to California before I would greatly appreciate any tips on the best route and the best places to see/things to do along the way.
I tried to get into the Yosemite RV parkes when the auction opened but was not successful. But I would love to hear of some beautiful places to see; some fun things to do and most importnatly what route to take. I was thinking about staying just outside Vegas on night one; then Barstow and then up teh 395 and then across the Tioga pass.
I'd be hugely grateful for any suggestions - thank you so much
Simon
Hello Simon,
What route did you finally decide to travel????
So much to see so many things to do so little time.
Based on your blueprint: In Las Vegas I would stay at CircusCircus RV park, I l believe it is a KOA. Not my favorite park, but it is right on the Strip in the "action." I perfer the Oasis, but it is farther out and quieter.
Then a 5 hour drive to Castic RV Park or Travel Village RV Park in Valencia and take in Six Flags Magic Mountain, the Water Park, or the Reagen Presidential Library. Then up 395 to Mammoth Lakes, Lee Vining and the ghost towns and scenic drives. (We are going that route in August). Tioga Pass is really not a drive for an RV, very windy, rent a car in Mammoth and take a day drive if you wish. Head up to Tahoe Carson City area and cross over the mountains on highway 50 or highway I-80, through Sacramento. The train museum in Old Sac is fantastic also lots of wineries to visit and in Vacaville and the Jelly-Belly candy tour, lots of fun.
Enjoy.
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Email privately if you want more details. Have a great trip. You might want to use Good Sam Campgroud web site to find RV campgrounds.
