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
I am chiming in because I live in the North Bay area and am quite familiar with the 101 route. First, driving the 101 through SF is not all that scary. Big rigs go through that route. Plus, if you are driving North, you won't pay the GG Bridge toll. Driving 101 through Paso Robles and North is a really pleasant route. If you like wine country Paso Robles is a good area to spend some time. If you want to visit SF, your campground options are limited. I would suggest staying in the North Bay. In Novato there is a small RV park that may have room for you. Otherwise, there is a KOA in Petaluma that is quite nice. From those places you can make day trips into SF. I would recommend the ferry out of Corte Madera. You are also on the doorstep of the Napa/Sonoma wine country
If you would like to visit the Sonoma coast, there are camping options North of Bodega Bay in some State parks, which do not accept reservations. If you visit weekdays your chances are pretty good. I would not recommend RVing North of the Russian River at Jenner unless you have solid reservations in one of the few campgrounds on that section of coast. If you choose to go there, it is quite scenic and there is camping in Gualala (County and private), Manchester (KOA), Van Damme State Park and maybe Ft Bragg. From Ft Bragg you will be driving inland back to 101, so, depending on your schedule, you may as well stay on 101.
Two years back, I made the drive up 101 all the way to Port Angeles. There is a really nice RV park there and you can take the ferry across to Victoria, really worthwhile. Travelling up the Oregon coast (I drove it both directions) was not a problem. The left turns are only bad in the tourist areas. We made the trip in July during the drought. It was very hot inland and it seemed everyone in Oregon was on the coast. We were travelling without reservations and were able to find stops every night in private campgrounds and two State Parks, some right on the beach. Of course, it is always advisable on travel days to get an early start and then stop before 3 or 4 at the latest.
Driving the WA coast is not really scenic and I would recommend the West side of the Hood Canal, much nicer.
I am sure you will have a very nice trip and the kids will love it. If you would like more info you can PM me
If you would like to visit the Sonoma coast, there are camping options North of Bodega Bay in some State parks, which do not accept reservations. If you visit weekdays your chances are pretty good. I would not recommend RVing North of the Russian River at Jenner unless you have solid reservations in one of the few campgrounds on that section of coast. If you choose to go there, it is quite scenic and there is camping in Gualala (County and private), Manchester (KOA), Van Damme State Park and maybe Ft Bragg. From Ft Bragg you will be driving inland back to 101, so, depending on your schedule, you may as well stay on 101.
Two years back, I made the drive up 101 all the way to Port Angeles. There is a really nice RV park there and you can take the ferry across to Victoria, really worthwhile. Travelling up the Oregon coast (I drove it both directions) was not a problem. The left turns are only bad in the tourist areas. We made the trip in July during the drought. It was very hot inland and it seemed everyone in Oregon was on the coast. We were travelling without reservations and were able to find stops every night in private campgrounds and two State Parks, some right on the beach. Of course, it is always advisable on travel days to get an early start and then stop before 3 or 4 at the latest.
Driving the WA coast is not really scenic and I would recommend the West side of the Hood Canal, much nicer.
I am sure you will have a very nice trip and the kids will love it. If you would like more info you can PM me
