Morro bay state park

Bakersfield RV Resort is very, very nice. The Orange Grove RV Park is also very nice. I once thought I was making a second trip to the resort and ended up at a park that was right next to a railroad track, I mean right next to the track, so make sure you don't get that one. Morro Bay State Park is great. Even though it is off season you might try to get a reservation because it is real popular. The city is a great place to walk around in and shop and eat. It is a fairly short drive to Cambria, San Simeon, Hearst Castle, and the elephant seals. Have a great trip.

Morro Bay has three parks worth mentioning....Morro Bay State Park, Morro Strand RV Park, (NOT State Beach)and Morro Dunes. All are priced around $50/night. Morro Strand State Beach has a 24' limit, so we've never stayed there. If staying at Morro Strand RV Park, pop for the extra wide spaces, they're really worth the extra $$ IMO.

Bakersfield RV Resort is just that. However, it's right downtown with trains, traffic and an annoying PA system from the nearby car dealers. It does have a nice heated pool and they offer massages, for a price of course. There is a restaurant on site that has good food. There's a Camping World within walking distance though.

If you are a train buff, be sure to stop off Hwy 58 towards Tehachapi. A short drive off the main hwy will get you to a lookout over the famous Tehachapi Loop. This engineering feat allows trains to climb up and over the mountain in loop fashion. As the trains climb the engine passes over the rest of the train as it winds up the grade. Only place in the world where that happens. There are about 35-40 trains a day making that pull so there's never a long wait to see it. I've put a link below. Worth seeing....safe travels ...Dennis

Tehachapi Loop

Can't speak of Morro Bay as we have never camped there but Bakersfield has a number of places. I would agree that the Bakersfield RV Resort is nice but not much to look at. I would suggest River Run RV park. Request a site that backs up to the Kern River so you have a nice view (even though its currently dry). You will be within walking distance of Hungry Hunter, Black Angus, Costco, and hotels with their attractions. Just a short drive to downtown with a few nice antique shops. Also just across highway 99 is Buck Owen's Crystal Palace for dinner, dancing, and a couple of beverages.

We have reservations at the state park. We are meeting ppl that camp there regularly. Thinking I read a review that it was $60.00 a night! Wow and NO sewer at the sight! I have a 38 5 th wheel.
We want to stay in Bakersfield on the 24-25 of dec, then head out to Morro Bay on the 26th! Don't think we will leave the Rv park as we are there for two days only. Arrive in Bakersfield in the afternoon and next day is Xmas.

Thanks for the info.

Bruce

I think it is $50 a night at Morro Bay SP. They have a dump station at the park though. Not cheap, I always go up the road to San Simeon State Park's Washburn campground. No electricity, considered primative because of the vault toilets but a great campground.

Morro Bay State Park is a great place. Conveniently located across from a small harbor and next to a golf course. There are some hiking trails and is a very short drive to Morro Bay Harbor and Morro Rock. For some it is within walking or biking distance. Lots of restaurants to choose from. There is no sewer hook up but there is a dump station. There are a limited number of sites that have water and 30 amp electric. Does have showers and flush toilets that are fairly well maintained. Biggest complaint I have ever heard is about the price. Welcome to California coast, prices are high. Just the way it is.

If you have time a short drive away is Montana De Oro State Park. Some really great hiking trails and ocean cliffs or just check out Spooner's Cove (expect it to be windy and cold). Avila is also very close and has a nice beach and boardwalk area. Cayucos is a short drive to the north. It is a smaller less developed beach town. Highly recommend the Brown Butter Cookie Company (they give free samples :)and they are good).

Bakersfield has a few options. Contrary to what Executive posted Bakersfield RV Resort is far from downtown. It was built on the site of an old movie drive-in. Yes there are some train tracks nearby. It is also in the same area as the auto mall so yes there are lots of car dealers across from it. Camping world is also across the street. There is an onsite bar and restaurant that is actually pretty good. One of the better hamburgers in town but they also have a full menu.

River Run is a newer place that borders the Kern River or more accurately right now just a riverbed. It is actually closer to downtown than Bakersfield RV Resort. Highway 99 and Highway 58 (to the west) are both right there. Access is easy but kind of have to drive back behind the hotels and through a bit of industrial area to get to it. As mentioned there is easy access to lots of things. As discovery4us pointed out Costco as well as several restaurants are within walking distance. Buck Owens Crystal Palace is close. If you are a country music fan it is worth a visit but it looks like they will be closed while you are there.

I am not familiar with Orange Grove RV but it does seem to get a lot of good reviews from folks here. Seems that a lot of people use it as a stopping over point before heading east over Tehachapi. I'm sure some of the people who have been there will chime in.

Thanks for the info. Like I said or will say, we will spend the night in Az then head to Bakersfield just for the two nights, dec 24-25. Don't inagine too many places will be open. Will gas up on the 24th.

Thanks
Bruce

In addition to Morro Bay there is great state park that is a few miles north of the town of Cambria and just south of a beach with elepant seals and the Hearst Castle.

For Xmas I would much rather stay in Tehachapi at the private RV park that is situated near the glider airport above the town.

Wherever you go in California I would phone ahead an confirm that they have water. With the ongoing drought some of the campgrounds have shut off the water.

Until the drought ends we do our camping in Idaho or Colorado (avoiding the red zone).

I really like that RV park in Tehachapi - we called once - we only had two nights, and I was hoping to stretch it out, so I asked if we could check in fairly early on the day we got there and leave about 4pm on the last day. They said that it would be fine, and they did not even charge us. That said, it was very empty (which I also loved). It was fun to watch the gliders take off.

There is a fabulous bakery in town, near the old RR station.

In Morro Bay - Morro Bay SP is very nice, but also one of the most popular RV parks around. If you are lucky you might get a hook up site. `If you have a smaller rig, and do not mind primitive - vault toilet, head abck to Morro Bay SP for showers, then consider Montana De Oro SP. It is in a lovely area.

Since you will be there in December, definitely head over to Pismo Beach SP and check out the butterfly grove. The last few years they have had about 30-35K butterflies in a small grove. It is definitely worth seeing. Also head up north beyond Cambria to see the Elephant Seals. There should be a nice light display in Cambria, too.

Two I've stayed at in Bakersfield area are Mountain Valley (glider place) and Orange Grove.

I too highly recommend Mountain Valley. With the disclaimer that Dec 25th could get cold there-it is elevated and average minimum is about 30 degrees in Dec. A cold snap could be quite a bit colder than that. Great if you are prepared for it-or you're in a stretch of nice weather.

Orange grove is decent clean big RV park not far from highway. Low elevation cold shouldn't be issue.