Advice Needed for West Coast Trip
My wife and I (mid 60's, no kids) are planning a trip from San Diego to Vancouver from about May 15 to Sept 15th. We have a 26' TT (overall length). We plan to stay mostly on the coastal highway but...
Forum Discussion
We've had different experiences with our 40' motorhome. On four separate trips on the Oregon coast in three seasons we never made reservations. Yes, really! :)
OP: You have a 24' trailer. You will have so many options for your stays if you're not real particular. Oregon has 50 state parks and 22 don't even accept reservations.
On the coast the non-reservation parks are Washburne, Cape Blanco and Loeb. We've stayed at Washburne and Cape Blanco. Folks leave every morning and if you're staying within a couple hours' drive the previous night, try for those campgrounds. There are also forest service campgrounds, county parks and casinos along the 101 route. It takes some searching but there are easier options than making reservations for every stop.
Don't let people scare you into having reservations 'yesterday'. In our 16 years of full-timing we rarely made reservations - even for the popular national parks.
You mentioned you want to spend a few days around San Francisco. I'd recommend you stay on the north side of the bay. Then drive your truck to the Larkspur Ferry Landing and pick up the fast ferry which will let you off at the Ferry Building in the city. You'll have a pleasant ride past Alcatraz. When you get off have a pre-arranged reservations for this small van tour which will be waiting for you. Being in a small group you'll get specialized treatment and excellent tour directors. They will take you to every highlight of the city with ample time to get out and walk - even a good chunk of time to walk the Japanese Garden. The driver will take you across the Golden Gate for lunch in Sausalito. Even our daughter, who lives there, was very impressed with the tour. It's the easiest way to see the city in less time.
https://www.sanfranshuttletours.com/
OP: You have a 24' trailer. You will have so many options for your stays if you're not real particular. Oregon has 50 state parks and 22 don't even accept reservations.
On the coast the non-reservation parks are Washburne, Cape Blanco and Loeb. We've stayed at Washburne and Cape Blanco. Folks leave every morning and if you're staying within a couple hours' drive the previous night, try for those campgrounds. There are also forest service campgrounds, county parks and casinos along the 101 route. It takes some searching but there are easier options than making reservations for every stop.
Don't let people scare you into having reservations 'yesterday'. In our 16 years of full-timing we rarely made reservations - even for the popular national parks.
You mentioned you want to spend a few days around San Francisco. I'd recommend you stay on the north side of the bay. Then drive your truck to the Larkspur Ferry Landing and pick up the fast ferry which will let you off at the Ferry Building in the city. You'll have a pleasant ride past Alcatraz. When you get off have a pre-arranged reservations for this small van tour which will be waiting for you. Being in a small group you'll get specialized treatment and excellent tour directors. They will take you to every highlight of the city with ample time to get out and walk - even a good chunk of time to walk the Japanese Garden. The driver will take you across the Golden Gate for lunch in Sausalito. Even our daughter, who lives there, was very impressed with the tour. It's the easiest way to see the city in less time.
https://www.sanfranshuttletours.com/
