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crcr's avatar
crcr
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014

Decent RV Campground from about Santa Barbara to Indio, CA?

Hi, We purchased a 3 year old TT six weeks ago in Santa Maria, CA. We didn't have our TV at the time, so we put it into storage. We're leaving Weds to go get it and bring it back, so are planning our trip.

This TT has been parked unused for a couple of years, so on our return trip to home in Phoenix, we want to stop one night to rest, and to flush and sanitize the fresh water system and the tanks, then continue our trip home the next day. So we need full hookups. We're thinking we'd like to stay somewhere between approximately Pomona, CA and Indio, CA. I'm having so much trouble finding anything appealing that I'm willing to expand our desired area to approx. Santa Barbara to Indio, CA. County, State, Forest Service, etc campgrounds are our favorites, if the sites have full hookups.

I've spent quite a lot of time studying reviews of parks / campgrounds online, and haven't found anything that seems suitable. Almost all the parks I read about have terrible reviews -- either run down, extremely tight spaces, rude management, serious security / theft issues, or some combination thereof. We're not looking for fancy, just safe with full hookups, not run down, and preferably not sardine sized spaces. Functioning showers and rest rooms would be a plus, but not absolutely essential. I'm getting desperate enough to find something suitable that we are willing to go a little bit off our most direct route home if need be, so I have studied campgrounds a little off the route, and still, I haven't found anything suitable.

I'm hoping some of you here on this great forum may have some parks/campgrounds you have stayed at in these areas to recommend to us. Thanks in advance. Any help will be much appreciated!

17 Replies

  • Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions. Much appreciated! I am in the process of researching them.

    Please keep 'em coming! Thanks.
  • Try East Shore Rv park in San Dimas. great for an overnighter. They have some permanent residents, but typically place campers in a different section
  • Indian Waters is one of the best and cheapest! Snowbirds leaving now so parks are not as crowded.
  • mileshuff wrote:
    We have driven this same route many times. We take highway 126 from 101 to I-5, then to I-210 to I-10. This avoids some of the congestion along 101 through the LA area especially near downtown.

    At the junction of Highway 126 and I-5 is Valencia Village RV. A decent RV park with full hookups. Ask for a pull through as they are a bit larger and level.

    Off I-10 in the Palm Springs/Indio area is Emerald Desert RV park. I have not stayed here but have heard it is nice.

    Also in this area is Shadow Hills RV park. It is a decent RV park good for a nights rest.


    Emerald Desert is $70.00 dollars a night midweek (3 night minimum) for their cheapest site...should be very nice for that. I guess those streets are paved in Emeralds.....
  • We have driven this same route many times. We take highway 126 from 101 to I-5, then to I-210 to I-10. This avoids some of the congestion along 101 through the LA area especially near downtown.

    At the junction of Highway 126 and I-5 is Valencia Village RV. A decent RV park with full hookups. Ask for a pull through as they are a bit larger and level.

    Off I-10 in the Palm Springs/Indio area is Emerald Desert RV park. I have not stayed here but have heard it is nice.

    Also in this area is Shadow Hills RV park. It is a decent RV park good for a nights rest.

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