California Dreaming

D

dhutchin

Novice
So, I'm getting geared up to see a bunch of Cali and was hoping to get some ideas and suggestions from some of you that have BTDT.

I am going to drive from here in NC west on 40 on about April 23rd. I am to rendezvous with the spousal unit who is flying into LAX on 4/29 about 2 pm. My plan is to be camped somewhere north on the PCH where I'll leave the One Drop and head to LAX. Any suggestions on a safe place to leave the tear for a few hours? Maybe Leo Carillo State Bch?

We then plan on taking about a week to do the PCH until we arrive at our daughter's place up in Humboldt. After a long Mother's Day weekend we plan on heading over to perhaps Yosemite, Sequoia and then to Vegas where the wife will catch a bird on 5/16. I'll the head homeward at some pace.

A few questions that come to mind: I assume that our timing is OK for weather and lesser crowds? Any suggestion for campgrounds to choose or as important the ones to avoid. We ain't much for crowds and noise at night. Do we need to have reservations or will we be able to find open campgrounds?

Thanks. If anybody is out and about on our route let's get together.
 
I have a recommendation that is not cheap and not isolated, but few things in LA are. When we were visiting our daughter in LA we stayed a few nights at the Malibu Beach RV Park. Oh man. We had a site right on the bluff above PCH with a spectacular view of the ocean and the beach below. It is a short hike down to the road where there is a really good fish restaurant. The beach stretches in both directions for miles. Very clean restrooms and showers. A cool spot. Yes, there are big rigs, but everyone was friendly and the view is to die for. You can save money on the rest of the trip. In LA, I recommend splurging on a stay in Malibu!

http://www.maliburv.com/
 
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Great advice. I started looking into the spots we wanted to stay and some were already or nearly full. Yikes!

We found nothing around Monterey so I reserved a room in town for a couple of nights.

Left coast here we come!
 
As a native Californian we are lucky to have some great parks that are along the Pacific coast and just a few hours away from home here in the SF Bay Area. A few that we have been to in the last few years with our CI are, Morro Bay SP, San Simeon SP (near Hearst Castle), Julia Pfiefer Burns SP (Big Sur), Big Basin SP, Gualala Point Regional Park and of course Humbolt Redwood SP. Since you are going to Vegas there is Valley of Fire SP in Nevada. After you leave all your money at the casinos it's nice to have a scenic spot to go home to. Just watch the traffic on I-15 it's crazy.

Jim
 
We are spending the night of 5/1 at San Simeon then a couple of nights in Monterey (ugh) then a night at Samuel P Taylor and then through SanFran to Sonoma Coast SP where we'll be at Wright's Bch CG on 5/5. Then up to Van Damme and on to our daughter's place in Humboldt county.

Any thoughts on those, especially the Sonoma Coast SP? I'm a little concerned how close that is to your crazy city. On Cinco de Mayo.
 
Wright's Beach is a nice, small campground/park./ Be VERY aware of the sneaker waves, ad I believe this is the most dangerous beach on the coast. Do NOT turn your back on the waves, even if you are 50 yards away. They sneak up fast and powerful.

If you need anything as you cruise from Monterey to Samual P Taylor, please don't hesitate to reach out. You'll likely drive within two miles of our house.

As you drive through SF, I recommend that you drive (with Teardrop) to Crissey Field and take a walk in full view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. And it's less than a ten-minute detour off your route. There's even good coffee and snacks (and maybe sandwiches) at the "hut" there (which is a gift shop/bookstore), so you could get lunch if the timing is right. Crissey Field will have parking that will accomodate your rig, though you should not try to drive to the end of the road (Ft. Point) as turning around down there might be tight (but probably OK)

Samual P Taylor is NORTH of SF, so you will drive through San Fran to SPT, not to Wright's Beach. And then Wright's Beach is north of SPT (you do have the order correct).

There is good chowder (white) in Bodega Bay (near Wright's Beach). The tiny little crap shack is a good spot.

Both SPT and WB are far enough form the City that you will feel that you are "away." We like both places very much.

Cinco de Mayo should be fine at both SPT and Wright's Beach. I would not worry about that. It's not like it's St Patrick's Day. :) Seriously, I would not give it a second thought, though it's possible there might be a touch more noise in the campground, but I really would not expect that.

If you think you might stop on the way through, please PM me and I'll throw you my mobile number.

ps Don't be disturbed by the morning coastal fog that you will likely encounter. It usually burns off, and it can be quite warm when it does. But it will likely be foggy and chilly at San Simeon, STB and WB, before noon and after 6 pm.

Have a great trip!!

-Al
 
p.s. Monterey is great, and the aquarium is worth a visit.

Tons of good food in Monterey, so that is easy.

If you are hot to see Pebble Beach, it is PUBLIC, so you can drive right in, and go to the restaurant and have an ice tea and look at the 18th hole. Beautiful. Or you can buy a $15 burger there. And a ball marker from the Pro Shop is cheap souvenir. Or you can buy a $150 windbreaker, if you must. :)

in Big Sur, Nepenthe for lunch is highly recommended, though you are parking on the shoulder of highway 1, and some people don't like to do that. But it's really the only option, and we have done it with our TD. At Nepenthe, hold out for a table with a view. They will accomodate you. Excellent burger with a million dollar view. There are also easy hikes at Big Sur, and I recommend the walk to the old mansion. Can't recall which hike that is, but you can see the famous beach waterfall from this hike. And it is BARELY a hike. It is mostly a somewhat paved stroll. http://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes.html
 
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