Hemet, CA to Klamath River RV Park, CA

[Baja_Man]

Considering this family trip this summer.

What is best and safest route for this trip. Would I be crossing GG Bridge (which would be great!)?

Would like to split trip into two days. First stop would be midway.

What is best place to stay at midway point (appears to be Tracy, Livermore, Dublin)?

Trip is approximately 12.5 hours/800 according to G-Maps.

Thanks!

[Baja_Man]

Thanks for tips on 101 travel. Perhaps 101 up and 5 down is a compromise.

Looks like the best for me is 210/5/126/101 and then navigate around SF/Bay area.

Plan for 3 days to get to Klamath River.

Need to find RV parks near these one day stop overs...

Day 1 stay near Santa Margarita
Day 2 stay near Santa Rosa

[dedmiston]

Do you know how much time you'll have to make the trip? You aren't doing it in one day, are you?

Blasting up the 5 is the fastest way, but it's kind of a bummer. It's pretty bleak without much to see. It's not horrible, but it can be a grind. You'll have to go over the Grapevine too, which can be pretty hectic if you're towing.

The 101 takes longer, but there's a lot to see. Depending on what time you go, you might hit traffic in Santa Barbara.

You have to pick a good route to get through L.A. from the I.E. Definitely avoid downtown and the San Fernando Valley. You can go out the 210 to the 118 through Simi Valley and catch the 101 in Thousand Oaks. That's pretty and the traffic isn't horrible, except it can get heavy between Thousand Oaks and Ventura.

Another way is to take 210 to the NB 5 towards Santa Clarita (and towards the Grapevine). Before you get to Castaic, you turn west on 126 to get to Ventura. That's a gorgeous drive.

If you go either of those ways up the 101, you'll hit a couple of grades. Your GPS might send you over the San Marcos pass just past Santa Barbara. Definitely don't do that if you're towing. You'll back up the traffic for miles. Stay on the coast toward Buellton. When you turn inland, there's a short grade just pass Gaviota that isn't too bad.

There's another big grade called Cuesta Grade immediately past San Luis Obispo. It's not that steep, but it's pretty long.

The grade past Gaviota combined with the Cuesta grade still add up to less than the Grapevine.

The 101 from Ventura County up to the bay area is a great scenic route that every CA resident should see at least once. Even though the hills are already brown, it's still gorgeous.

Things will green up once you pass the bay.

Another alternative would be to make a loop and go up the 101 and down the 5 (or vice versa). That way you'll see two versions of the state. (395 is even more scenic, but it's way too far east for this trip.

And make sure and take your hippie spray, because they're everywhere once you get to Humboldt County. It's gorgeous up there though.

Don't sweat the route around the east bay though. You might as well add that to your CA bingo card just to say you've seen it. Just don't stop and ask for directions in Oakland.

[Baja_Man]

Things appear to be changing daily!

My friend decided to pass on this trip; he will not be traveling with us.

So, it's my family only.

Having never traveled towing a trailer in Northern California, my questions may be repetitive or overly detailed, but I want to be sure to make the best decision possible for safety, places to stay on the way, enjoyable, etc.

I'm torn between taking the 101 (detour around SF/Bay) all the way up VS going the 5/20/101.

101 all the way up looks more scenic and appealing. I'm just concerned about traffic congestion when we reach SF/Bay area.

If taking 101, the 880 appears to connect to 580 near Emeryville and the 580 crosses over into San Rafael.

Is taking 101 to 580 to 101 (instead of 880) an option?

Again, the assistance by all who have contributed to this thread is greatly appreciated!
Thanks

[dedmiston]

When you get to San Jose, take the 880 through Oakland and then connect back up to 101 in San Rafael.

That whole drive is really nice (except the east bay part through Oakland).

Watch your speed north of Paso Robles. You probably won't be setting any ground speed records since you're towing, but the CHP is notorious up there around King City.

[Baja_Man]

A different scenario now......

Talking to my friend who will be joining us on this trip, he prefers the 101 from SoCal all the way to Klamath. His truck's AC is not very good when ambients temps are 90s+ and does not want to travel up the 5 due to high heat areas.

We prefer to travel the same route in case either one of us needs assistance. He would rather deal with some traffic and have cooler temps while traveling. I prefer less traffic and do not mind the heat as my truck's AC works fine.

Thoughts on 101 from SoCal straight up to Klamath?

Is there a way to go 101, then detour around SF (it was suggested to avoid passing through SF via 101), and then back to 101?

Thanks!

[Janss]

I guess you scrapped the idea of the GG bridge??

Yes, 20 all the way from I-5 to 101 is suitable to drive your RV. I just did that drive eastbound last October in my motorhome and tow car. As mentioned, you won't win any races. Kind of a moseying drive. If I recall correctly, the speed limits were 55mpg and 45mph. As described above, east of the lake you go through hills, so gentle curves and grades. But no problem at all.

I am not familiar with any RV parks along 20, as we stayed at Robinson Rancheria Casino parking lot. There is a gas station across the road (south side) with (relatively) good prices and easy pull-through access.

I stayed at Almond Tree Oasis a few years ago. New owners since then and of course, higher prices. It is an easy, convenient, and certainly sufficient overnight. There are few choices for hookup RV parks in the central section of I-5.

[paulj]

You can look at the the Clear Lake stretch in detail with Google Maps sat view and streetview. It's somewhat built up, so the speed limit will be modest, but there aren't tight curves or grades.

I have see posts that recommend a mix of roads around the south side of the lake. I don't recall the details, but I'm guessing 52 and 29. Looks like the south route has more divided limited access stretches.

GM gives 32 minutes/24 miles for the north side vs 43 minutes/39 miles for the south, but there may be times when traffic favors the south side.

20 east of the lake is curvier and more grades, but still easier than the alternatives to the north.

[Baja_Man]

I looked at the 5/20/101 suggested routes.

It appears to avoid most traffic-congested areas.

If I read map correctly, it appears the 5 connects with 20 at Williams and then the 20 heads west and hugs Clear Lake nearly half way around and then continues to Capella where it connects to 101.

Is the Hwy that hugs and goes around Clear Lake suitable for towing a trailer?

Below are stops that I pegged for getting to Klamath.
Any suggestions about where to stay (full hook ups) in/near these suggested cities Kettleman City and Clear Lake?

If we take three days to get to Klamath, it looks like our overnight stays are near these locations (300 mile driving days):

1. Stop 1 - (approx. 300 miles from home) is around Kettleman City (found Almond Tree Oasis RV Park that is in Coalinga and not too far from FWY.)

2. Stop 2 - 3Approx. 300 miles from stop 1 is Clear Lake

From Clear Lake to Klamath (our destination) is 260 miles.

Thanks!

[older_fossil]

Baja Man wrote:

What is the problem with US 101 through SF towing?

We always bypass the SF area going to/from the Northern California coast, but we had visited a lot of the SF area several times in ordinary vehicles, including trips over the GG in both directions. Even in a car, driving around downtown SF is "interesting".

I'd recommend "driving" up the 101 using Google Street View to get a sense of that route. Avoid commuter hours!

Art

[CA_Traveler]

101 through SF is very narrow, a van type RV should be OK.

[Janss]

Petaluma KOA, mentioned earlier in this thread, is north of the GG bridge. If you happen to be an Elks member, there is also an Elks club with RV parking in Petaluma.

To avoid San Francisco, from I-5 you can take 580--680--780--80--37--Lakeville Hwy to Petaluma (also has been mentioned in this thread). Or you could stay on I-5 and take 12 across north of Stockton.

[Baja_Man]

CA Traveler wrote:

Baja Man wrote:
Looks this trip is back on sometime in July/August!

Still not sure about going over the GG bridge towing a trailer. Trying to weigh the experience for my adult son and older teen and the traffic/stress. This is to be an enjoyable trip and most stress comes from towing. Better than driving through LA!
Have any of you crossed towing a trailer?
What was the experience like?
Would you recommend it? YES

I think the suggestions about staying overnight at an RV park near the GG and then driving over/back (without towing trailer) for the experience, might be the best option for us.
Am I correct in thinking that if we stay at an RV park on the south side of the GG, this would mean driving over the GG (northbound) and then driving back (southbound) back to RV park? NO You
could cross GG one time with the trailer, or several times w/o the trailer.Even better is to park and walk on the GG.

With that said.....what would be the preferred places to stay (3 stop overs, with last one at/near GG with hook ups)?
Suggestions indicate that the 5/20/101 is preferable routes from SoCal. If you want to bypass the bay area! There are several alternate E bay routes.


Thanks!

Are there RV parks on the north side of GG (to park and walk onto bridge as you suggest)?

[Baja_Man]

CA Traveler wrote:
San Francisco RV Resort in Pacifica is the best CG, $$$. Candlestick RV Park $$$$, overpriced but it has the location, adjacent to higher crime area so go directly on/off 101. There are several in Daly City plus further south.

I’ve taken 280, 19ave, GG Bridge many times with the current rig and toad. Yes it’s 7 miles of city driving, 2/3 lanes stay center/right lane, mid day only, I don’t have the aversion to this route that many do. NEVER TAKE A RV ON 101 THROUGH SF.

SF has a homeless/drug problem like many other cities. Stay in the tourist areas. Never park and put something in the trunk, never leave anything in the vehicle, they are watching.

Are there RV parks on north side of the GG?

What is the problem with US 101 through SF towing?

[CA_Traveler]

Baja Man wrote:
Looks this trip is back on sometime in July/August!

Still not sure about going over the GG bridge towing a trailer. Trying to weigh the experience for my adult son and older teen and the traffic/stress. This is to be an enjoyable trip and most stress comes from towing. Better than driving through LA!
Have any of you crossed towing a trailer?
What was the experience like?
Would you recommend it? YES

I think the suggestions about staying overnight at an RV park near the GG and then driving over/back (without towing trailer) for the experience, might be the best option for us.
Am I correct in thinking that if we stay at an RV park on the south side of the GG, this would mean driving over the GG (northbound) and then driving back (southbound) back to RV park? NO You
could cross GG one time with the trailer, or several times w/o the trailer.Even better is to park and walk on the GG.

With that said.....what would be the preferred places to stay (3 stop overs, with last one at/near GG with hook ups)?
Suggestions indicate that the 5/20/101 is preferable routes from SoCal. If you want to bypass the bay area! There are several alternate E bay routes.


Thanks!