It’s been a while, just got back from deployment and need an RV break. We’re stationed at Travis AFB, and everything near here is either crowded, exp0ensive, difficult to get to, and or run down dirt holes. We need three nights. Three nights of nice, peaceful scenery, walks/hikes, views, and a place to relax. Walking distance dining would be great too. BUT WHERE? Everything thing California is busy/congested, expensive (150+/nt! to park in a crowded park!) and worn down. Tahoe, been there, done that. San Fran, been there, done that. Yosemite, oh right, wishful thinking. Drive along the coast, done this too, and nothing but mud holes, sand pits and filthy places to park. Picky you say, maybe. Cheap? Ah, I don't think so, just not into forking out nearly $500 for three nights camping/RVing, to make someone else’s mortgage payment.Many parks are closing up for the season. I’m looking for Sept 22 - 25. Somewhere within a four hr drive from Fairfield, CA. I would push 6 hrs oneway, but wouldn’t like it. Any suggestions would be great. DW and I are looking for a nice site that has elbow room (woods, lake view, beach, etc) a nice place to walk, with our dog, and without. Scenery, views, scenery, views! A firepit. Someplace to walk and eat. A few shops would be okay. Thanks!

Synergy, You do not include very much information except California. If you do not have to have an FHU site, you might investigate Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome. They are two very different versions managed by the same group. HH places you at commercial establishments. Most are limited to a single night and it is hoped that you will buy some of what they are selling.BW is just people with room to park for a night (or maybe more - usually in the profile).We are BW hosts in Michigan and we get to meet a lot of interesting people. Matt

The Sierra Nevada is called the best camping area in the world, lots and lots of boondocking areas out there.

Another vote for boondocking.Most of our camping is on the eastern side of the Sierras, so I can't help you with specifics, but there is plenty of boondocking on the west too.I guess the only place I can name specifically is Shaver Lake. The drive is pretty steep and twisty and might not be fun depending on your setup. But the payoff is pretty good.There are plenty of other places though. And if you don't feel like driving up into the hills, I would definitely look at Harvest Hosts closer to the wine country. Since we're talking about next weekend though, it's probably going to be cooler in the higher elevations.I just looked at the map and it's about four hours from Travis to Shaver.It's only 1.5 hrs up to Coloma in the Gold Country. We stayed at an RV park there (primitive) and it wasn't very expensive. You can walk to dinner and goof off in the river during the day. It's too late in the season for rafting since the river is so low now, but it's still pretty nice up there. There's also plenty of history nearby if you want to see Sutter's Mill, etc. Placerville is nearby too and it's a fun little town.I got stuck up there in Coloma one summer when the DEF pump went out on my truck. The local Dodge dealer was really good and got Dodge to cover it under a courtesy claim, but stuck is still stuck. They had my truck for a week and my wife had to catch a ride back home to get back to work. Luckily I had my laptop with me and I could walk across the highway to bum their wifi at the coffee shop there in town. I've never drank so much coffee, but at least I didn't lose any work.Long story short, there are lots of places out there. Some of them are free to boondock. Some are borderline free since you need to buy some wine to stay there (Harvest Hosts). And some are cheap-ish. The season is definitely over in Coloma, so I assume it's cheap to camp there this time of year.Good luck.

agesilaus wrote:The Sierra Nevada is called the best camping area in the world, lots and lots of boondocking areas out there.Maybe so, but not an easy place to roam and camp/RV. The area, along with Yosemite area, is constantly swamped by crowds and crowds of people. Tourism crowds and locals (Cali/AZ/UT/NV) have hemmed up most of the reservations months in advance and trying to get sites is nearly impossible. Then, there’s the Van Life crowds, some of whom live full time boondocking, or are near homeless, living in and around campgrounds and trailer parks as a source of water and sewer dumping, showers/toilets, etc, benefit. Some of these “boondockers/Van life people are not respectful of others who are traditionally “camping or RVing” making it an unpleasant experienece for those who are trying to “camp or RV.” And then there’s the season closures, which has begun Sept 15th.I’m just looking for a “quick fix” few nights of R&R, for DW and I, the dog. Really don't want to make an exhausting competitive task trying to fight the crowds. Just thought someone in and around my current area might know of a “neat and quiet” spot for a few nights, that’s all.Thanks.

From my personal bucket list, meaning I want to go but have not done so yet...Berryessa Snow Mountain National MonumentThis is north of you. Probably pretty primitive.https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/berryessa-snow-mountain-national-monumentFrom my been-there-liked-it list:San Luis Reservoir State Recreation AreaSouth of you near Los Banos. A variety of camping areas, ranging from primitive first-come-first-served (Medeiros, where I always stay) to full hookups with lake views. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30712

Where to get three nights of peaceful RV time? | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

dedmiston
Moderator
Sep 19, 2022
Another vote for boondocking.

Most of our camping is on the eastern side of the Sierras, so I can't help you with specifics, but there is plenty of boondocking on the west too.

I guess the only place I can name specifically is Shaver Lake. The drive is pretty steep and twisty and might not be fun depending on your setup. But the payoff is pretty good.

There are plenty of other places though. And if you don't feel like driving up into the hills, I would definitely look at Harvest Hosts closer to the wine country. Since we're talking about next weekend though, it's probably going to be cooler in the higher elevations.

I just looked at the map and it's about four hours from Travis to Shaver.

It's only 1.5 hrs up to Coloma in the Gold Country. We stayed at an RV park there (primitive) and it wasn't very expensive. You can walk to dinner and goof off in the river during the day. It's too late in the season for rafting since the river is so low now, but it's still pretty nice up there. There's also plenty of history nearby if you want to see Sutter's Mill, etc. Placerville is nearby too and it's a fun little town.

I got stuck up there in Coloma one summer when the DEF pump went out on my truck. The local Dodge dealer was really good and got Dodge to cover it under a courtesy claim, but stuck is still stuck. They had my truck for a week and my wife had to catch a ride back home to get back to work. Luckily I had my laptop with me and I could walk across the highway to bum their wifi at the coffee shop there in town. I've never drank so much coffee, but at least I didn't lose any work.

Long story short, there are lots of places out there. Some of them are free to boondock. Some are borderline free since you need to buy some wine to stay there (Harvest Hosts). And some are cheap-ish. The season is definitely over in Coloma, so I assume it's cheap to camp there this time of year.

Good luck.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Sep 19, 2022
The Sierra Nevada is called the best camping area in the world, lots and lots of boondocking areas out there.
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Sep 19, 2022
Synergy,

You do not include very much information except California.

If you do not have to have an FHU site, you might investigate Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome. They are two very different versions managed by the same group.
HH places you at commercial establishments. Most are limited to a single night and it is hoped that you will buy some of what they are selling.
BW is just people with room to park for a night (or maybe more - usually in the profile).
We are BW hosts in Michigan and we get to meet a lot of interesting people.
Matt

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Where to get three nights of peaceful RV time?

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