Forum Discussion

CR_CRUISER's avatar
CR_CRUISER
Explorer
Jan 14, 2014

Pacific Coast Highway in Early April

The wife and I are thinking of taking the fifth wheel down the west coast beginning early in April. We would be travelling down 101 from Wa. to northern Ca. allowing a week each way for travel and the touristy bits.

Are there serviced campsites open that time of the year? I'm thinking that it's going to be cold and it would be nice to have at least hydro available for heat.

What type of road conditions could we expect? I'm towing a 24' fifth wheel behind a GMC 4X4 half ton. I've heard mention of sections of the highway that are not recommended for RV's. Are they referring to large motorhomes and trailers or all RV's in general?

We know that the weather will not be the greatest at this time of year but it is the only window available to us to do the trip.
Roads and Routes
  • ac_bill1's avatar
    ac_bill1
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2014
    CR CRUISER wrote:
    I've heard mention of sections of the highway that are not recommended for RV's. Are they referring to large motorhomes and trailers or all RV's in general?


    Do you mean not recommended at that time of year? We drove that route in a motorhome several years back, in the summer mind you, and had no issues. It is pretty winding, and there are ups and downs along the way, but nothing it couldn't handle. The RV, and trailer traffic was heavy and did slow the progress down, but we were on holidays so not in a big rush anyway.

    Might be worth checking on some of these campgrounds listed. There is bound to be some open at that time of year.
    http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Travel-g1438848-c137301/Oregon-Coast:Oregon:Oregon.Coast.Ocean.Rv.Parks.Campgrounds.html
  • winnietrey's avatar
    winnietrey
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2014
    Driven 101 many times, Size of your outfit is no problem. Weather, I would hope for sunny and in the 50 or 60 degree range. I would expect Windy as heck and raining. You could get eithier case

    Have you considered taking longer than a week to get down, Then cutting over to I-5 and hot footing it home, 101 in my opinion is one of those roads it's a lot more fun to drive one way rather that round trip.

    We, have always stayed at state parks, Many of which do have power and water. I have No knowledge on the private places

    If you are overlapping with Oregon schools, Spring breaks, you may want to think about making some reservations fairly soon
  • frmAloha's avatar
    frmAloha
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2014
    You should have no problems in April. Oregon schools usually take their spring break in mid-March and Washington schools are usually the following week so that there's no overlap. Beach weather is unpredictable, of course, but shouldn't be terribly cold at that time of the year. And there are plenty of places to stay along the way with full hookups. Go, and enjoy!
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Jan 14, 2014
    What type of road conditions could we expect? I'm towing a 24' fifth wheel behind a GMC 4X4 half ton. I've heard mention of sections of the highway that are not recommended for RV's. Are they referring to large motorhomes and trailers or all RV's in general?


    You should have absolutely no issues with that combination. A 24 foot fifth wheel is about 20 feet behind the truck's bumper. That is very short. Many ply that route with much longer travel trailers and fifth wheels. Do yourself a favor, at Legget take CA 1, the Pacific Coast highway. It is much more interesting then US101. Don't let the naysayers tell you that you have too much RV for SR 1. Logging trucks travel that road daily and they are much longer than your rig. And you will be right on the water with many nice campgrounds. If you can get into Wrights Beach at Bodega Bay, right on the beach, camp there.
  • msmith1199's avatar
    msmith1199
    Explorer II
    Jan 14, 2014
    Just for reference, the Pacific Coast Highway is Highway 1, not 101. In some places they combine and the route is numbered both 1 and 101, but the PCH is Highway 1. You mention traveling 101 down to Northern California so the stuff you are reading or hearing about the PCH mostly don't apply to the route you are traveling. Once you enter California from the North, the PCH and 101 are the same road until you get down to Leggett. Then the PCH cuts over to the coast while the 101 continues South inland. They don't join up again until Marin County just north of San Francisco. That particular section of the PCH, from Leggett to Marin, is probably the section you are reading about, but I wouldn't hesitate to drive a truck and 24 foot fifth wheel on it.
  • paulj's avatar
    paulj
    Explorer II
    Jan 15, 2014
    There isn't much difference between driving US101 and driving the highway along the coast of Vancouver Island to Campbell River (not the new inland divided one). There are parts that pass through beach towns, there are parts that are inland a ways. Some of the coast is low, some bluffs.

    CA1 (at least north of San Fran) is more like driving west from Victoria to Port Renfrew. A bit wilder, and lot twistier.
  • Lowsuv's avatar
    Lowsuv
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2014
    Cannot be done with that equipment .
    I recommend Interstate 5 ;-)
    We drive through snow from Bend in February to camp on the Oregon Coast .
    This will be our 5th year for doing that .
    We always have a few sunny days , even in February .
  • crabbin_cabin's avatar
    crabbin_cabin
    Explorer II
    Jan 15, 2014
    Lowsuv wrote:
    Cannot be done with that equipment .
    I recommend Interstate 5 ;-)
    We drive through snow from Bend in February to camp on the Oregon Coast .
    This will be our 5th year for doing that .
    We always have a few sunny days , even in February .


    What?? We have done 101 in various months with various RV's - a small fiver in January (1993); in June with a slightly larger fiver ( several times and more recently with 30' class A and toad in uly (20012 and Aug.,2012. Never any problems. Favorite? January to wtch whales and waves!
  • CR_CRUISER's avatar
    CR_CRUISER
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2014
    Thanks for aal of your replies and suggestions (except for taking I5:)). We are now into planning mode and will be heading out the beginning of April.

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