Vancouver, BC to Disneyland

Sounds like fun! Here's my thoughts/suggestions (sorry for run-on):

3 weeks will be tight but do-able if well planned. You don't want to lose too much time by taking too many slower routes or spending too much time at layovers. If you can at all do 4 weeks, that will make a big difference. We find that overnight stops are tiring as you don't have time to set up and have to get up and go early the next day. I prefer to do some longer legs to be able to spend a couple of days at a CG. You may find the trip more enjoyable if you have the time available to be able to stop for sightseeing along the way if you come across something interesting. We are going to plan for that this year for the first time as I know we have missed out on lots of interesting stops and have regretted it.

Have been to California many times over the years via interstate and the coast. We took our TT to Reno last fall in a 3 week trip and wasn't too bad in 3 weeks but a few more days would have helped a lot. Going there, headed up to the Oregon Cascades east from Portland via hwy 26 & 97 to Klamath Falls and then through the northeast corner of Cali. - absolutely outstanding scenery. Return we went over to Redding and then the coast via hwy 299 (very twisty hwy through the mountains) and then 101 through Wa. to Port Townsend. This year we're doing another 3 week trip south and just in planning stages. Going to Monterey for a few days and then over to Vegas for 3-5 days. May come back through Nevada, Utah and Idaho via I-15 & I-84.

As you mention, suggest going I-5 in one direction and then a slower paced scenic route on the other, or a combination thereof. Everyone's different but my preference is to get there fast and take a slow trip back. I quite enjoy towing on the the I-5 and really like the run up to Grants Pass. Not a lot of CGs along I-5 in many sections though and not many RV-ers on the I-5 compared to other routes. Besides the stay at Disneyland, suggest finding a nice place somewhere to stay for 3-5 days (or longer if you take 4 weeks) where you can just relax and veg. out, like maybe on the coast somewhere. Closer to home, we like Ocean Shores in Wa.

Suggest to put the Oregon Coast aside for another time when you can take the time to thoroughly enjoy it. It will be a slow drive due to traffic and the winding and narrow roads and there is so much to see and do. Astoria isn't all that far away that you can't get there in a short time from BC. Have gone all the way to SF via 101 by car and it is spectacular and you don't want to rush it. When to get to Ca. on the 101, there is no quick and easy route back over to I-5.

You *could* go through the Or. Cascades out of Portland and then get take 97 to I-5 just north of Redding. Could take 299 to the coast then 101 to SF. San Francisco is really worth the effort to stop there and suggest trying to make it work. But do not take a trailer into SF - don't ask how I know. We stayed at a KOA in Petaluma (just north of SF) which was quite nice.

If southbound on I-5, could take 199 out of Grants Pass to the 101 in Ca. I-5 from Stockton to La is a stinking hot, straight-line drive. Interesting if you have not done it. Have not been on hwy 99 but that might be an option. The coastal route from San Jose to La is somewhat slow as I remember it but scenic of course.

There are many route options east of I-5. Check a map for hwy numbers and google them. There are some good websites with road descriptions and some with videos of the roads so you can actually see what they are like. Check for road constructions and stoppages during your trip. Also look into forest fires and be prepared to alter a route if needed.

One problem with heading down south is getting through or around Seattle. This time we are going to take the ferry to Port Townsend from Whidbey Island and then the 101 on the west side of Puget Sound. The ferry trip is wonderful and the 101 is scenic. You can back to the I-5 at Olympia. We're going to take the 101 down to Astoria and then will cut over to I-5 out of Cannon Beach. Return, will take a route through Wa. that gets us via hwy 2 to Everett so we can skirt around Seattle.

CG choices will depend on what CG membership(s) you have and can affect your route(s). We have RPI and Thousand Trails but are finding difficulty with finding CGs in some areas and will have to use a few private ones which can be pricey. If you haven't yet, try RVparkreviews.com for CG user reviews so you don't get unexpected surprises. Have heard that CGs in Ca. can be pretty busy in the summer so need to have the trip well-planned and pre-booked far enough in advance. If you don't have a CG membership, a one-year membership in Thousand Trails could more than pay for itself but you'd need a 2-zone pass. Once in a while they have a 2-zone special or you might be able to find a pre-owned one on the internet for cheap (we just got a top of the line one for cheap).

As Seamutt said, Black Bear restaurant at Mt. Shasta is worth a stop. Very cool place and area. For sightseeing suggestions and recommended CGs, that'd take up a few pages - maybe on another post.

Almost forgot, if you have a towable RV, of note is that the max. speed limit in Ca. is 55 mph on un-divided 2-lane roads and could be a factor to consider. My max. is 65, but towing at 55 is so painful. :(

Thanks very much to all who responded for the information and suggestions; it is sincerely appreciated.

I suspected that 3 weeks may be pushing it and extending to 4 weeks would not be entirely out of the question. We would like to do both Oregon and California if possible. I have no doubt we will be back to the Oregon coast, but the years seem to tick by quickly and as a result who knows when that will be.

Avoiding SF may be logical; it will be disappointing to my wife and myself but likely makes the most sense.

Thanks again and please keep the suggestions coming!

We live 45 minutes from Disneyland and a couple of times per year we go down there and spend a few nights. Here are our favorites:

http://www.anaheimrvpark.com/

http://www.orangeland.com/

Enjoy!!

korbe wrote:
Since this is an opportunity to enjoy the route, and not just the destination, I would consider about 1 1/2 weeks down, 1 1/2 weeks coming home, and about a week in LA. That equals about 5 2-night stays in each direction. I would go south along hwy 101 and back up on hwy 395. I would not use I-5 unless the the only goal is to get from point A to point B.

That does add up to 4 weeks, but will make for a very pleasant trip. you could likely do the trip down and back home in a week, but would miss a lot. I agree with the routes.

Since this is an opportunity to enjoy the route, and not just the destination, I would consider about 1 1/2 weeks down, 1 1/2 weeks coming home, and about a week in LA. That equals about 5 2-night stays in each direction. I would go south along hwy 101 and back up on hwy 395. I would not use I-5 unless the the only goal is to get from point A to point B.

I think 3 weeks is fine - your just going to have to be selective on what you want to see. As far as Oregon Coast - Beverly Beach State Park near Newport and Harris Beach State Park near Brooking are great parks -- easy Google. You might consider taking a pass on SF - your restricted on time, kids too young to appreciate, and navigating in RV is a challenge.

I should add the best scenery is the Oregon coast but you may not have time to do it justice.
Near Astoria we stayed at the KOA though there is a state park across the road. That is an interesting area to stay. Drive on the beach and watch the fishermen casting for crabs, the maritime museum and the tower.
Near Coos Bay stayed at Oceanside RV park, beach very short walk, also state park nearby.
Tillamook we stayed at Tillamook Bay RV park, decent enough so took in the cheese factory. Up at Garibaldi check out the steam trains. In Bay city take in the Pacific Oyster restaurant out on a pier.
The up in Washington I could live in Port Townsend.

Three weeks is tight considering all you want to do in the Anaheim area. Disneyland it self is three days. I suggest besides bypassing Washington also bypass Oregon to save time. Oregon is not a drive through.
Head down I-5 then cut over to the 101 at northern California to Crescent City. There is a campground there called Shoreline RV campground right beside the water. Great area to walk, drive explore. Look for the Chart Room restaurant on a pier, great seafood.
Heading south on 101 traveling through Redwood state park, keep an eye out for for a stop at Trees of Mystery. Very extensive native displays, quite interesting, trails amongst the trees and gondola ride.
Eureka we stayed at the KOA, I needed the hottub and explored the area. Went on a tour boat ride and explored WW2 bunkers.
Heading for San Francisco stay on 101 as we were advised #1 is a very winding at times cliff hugger of a road best driven with out an RV. Since you want to make time it would slow you down.
In San Francisco we stayed at San Francisco RV Resort in Pacifica. It is situated on a bluff above the ocean, a bit pricey but the sunsets in the evening are worth it. Make reservations as soon as able, quite popular especially trying to get an ocean view. We stayed a week and had to move three times as didn't have a reservation. Oh did I mention the whales going by, seasonal, we where there first week of October. To get into town, Fishermans wharf a bus can be caught out front to the Bart station then a street car. This trip can take upto two hours so if not minding to drive in the traffic, drive. There is parking near the wharf. The resort has maps on how to use the transportation system and driving.
I have no further information farther south as we traveled south from Grand Forks BC, to Reno then up the coast as described.
Heading home just blow up I5 because you may have run out of time.
When heading home the Black Bear restaurant in Mt. Shasta has great burgers and baked goods.