rv travel 101 Ca?

[enchantedeagle]

We are going to be traveling from La to Salem Oregon and were wondering if you can travel the 101 all the way up and if so is this a good idea?
We will be traveling the first two weeks in September by the way. Anyway to by pass the freeways going up?

Thanks for any recommendations!!

[JohnG3]

Suggest 210 to 5 to 126 to 101 in Ventura. Easy drive, pretty much right on the coast from Ventura to north of Santa Barbara making it more scenic than 5. Other option would be the 210 to the 5 to 46 just north of Bakersfield, then 46 to Paso Robles and the 101. You can also stay on 5 to the 152 and take that west to 101 in Gilroy.

[stfnwuf]

We live in the Bay Area and recommend that you do not drive your RV across the Golden Gate Bridge or in SF. We recommend that you take Hwy 101 to I-680 in San Jose. Stay on I-680 to I-780 (Benicia area) to I-80 (Vallejo) to Hwy 37 to Hwy 101. You will advoid the stress of driving up the Penninsula and the streets of SF.

Recommended places to stay: Flying Flags in Buellton, Pismo Coast Village in Pismo Beach, Marina Dunes in Monterey (warning, they are pricey), Petaluma KOA (north of SF-also pricey), Napa Expo. The Napa Expo people are pretty nice and I am sure they will waive the age restriction.

Have a great trip!

[TyroneandGladys]

Francesca Knowles wrote:

TyroneandGladys wrote:


Napa Valley Expo might have a age restriction. We almost were not allowed to stay this year but were allowed since it was not in there published Park Rules yet.

:h

What kind of "age restriction"?

No kids...no twentysomethings...no geezers ...what?

Age restriction of the RV. What we were told when we tried to check in was they were not going allow any RV over 20 years old to stay. Our reservation was honored because " even though the owner does not want any RV older than 20 years old in the park the published park rules did not state that". We also were told initially that it did not matter what the rules were when you made the reservation but what the rules are when you check in,

[2gypsies1]

I haven't heard of an age restriction but you can call them for the correct information. I would think, that if any change, it would be that 'under 18' not admitted. It is wine country! 🙂 Previously, there was no restriction.

[jtovosr]

What about the age restriction in Napa? We are going to Napa Valley Expo in Sept & I'm 62 & wife is? She gets mad if I say.
Am I going to be able to stay there?

[2gypsies1]

Please don't avoid 101 for I-5. There's no comparison. Yes, 101 is slower but then, there's a LOT more to see, including the redwoods.

[aerbus32]

enchantedeagle wrote:
Actually we are going from Las Cruces, NM to Salem Or. The map shows we need to go to LA and then up. WE want to stay in San Fran for about 3 days on our way up. Any suggestions for rv camps or beautiful photographic places to stop on our way up?

How much time we talking here? Avoid LA if you can. Here's what I'd suggest. 10 to 210 near Redlands to 215 to 15 to 395 to 58 to 99. Near Manteca take 120 to 5 from 99. Just north of there is Flag City RV. We've visited SF from there & the parks in Vacaville. Closer in, we've used Candlestick RV, Tradewinds in Vallejo and the one in Pacifica. Check reviews to see which you like best. From there, you can stay on 5 to Salem. 101 thru the redwoods is awesome, but much, much slower. If you have to take 101, access it using 20 near Williams going by Clear Lake. If time permits, I'd skip 101 in favor of Crater Lake which is fairly close to 5.

[Francesca_Knowl]

TyroneandGladys wrote:


Napa Valley Expo might have a age restriction. We almost were not allowed to stay this year but were allowed since it was not in there published Park Rules yet.

:h

What kind of "age restriction"?

No kids...no twentysomethings...no geezers ...what?

[TyroneandGladys]

2gypsies wrote:
101 north of San Francisco is a gorgeous drive. I would recommend your first stop after San Fran be Ancient Redwoods RV in Redcrest, CA. It's easy in/out and is set right in the midst of the Redwoods with many nice walks of all abilities nearby taking you deeper into the redwoods. It's a gorgeous area.

For touring San Francisco you might try Napa Valley Expo and then take the ferry from Larkspur across the bay to Fisherman's Wharf and then arrange to pick up this small van tour of the city. It will take you to all the highlights and even across the Golden Gate to Sausalito for lunch. Even our daughter who lives in the area enjoyed the tour. Then you'll have no hassle driving in the city.

Small Van Tour of San Francisco

Have a good trip!

Napa Valley Expo might have a age restriction. We almost were not allowed to stay this year but were allowed since it was not in there published Park Rules yet.

[2gypsies1]

101 north of San Francisco is a gorgeous drive. I would recommend your first stop after San Fran be Ancient Redwoods RV in Redcrest, CA. It's easy in/out and is set right in the midst of the Redwoods with many nice walks of all abilities nearby taking you deeper into the redwoods. It's a gorgeous area.

For touring San Francisco you might try Napa Valley Expo and then take the ferry from Larkspur across the bay to Fisherman's Wharf and then arrange to pick up this small van tour of the city. It will take you to all the highlights and even across the Golden Gate to Sausalito for lunch. Even our daughter who lives in the area enjoyed the tour. Then you'll have no hassle driving in the city.

Small Van Tour of San Francisco

Have a good trip!

[kalynzoo]

Beautiful drive, you will enjoy every mile. You do mean the 101 and not the 1. The 1, which runs along the cliffs of the Pacific Coast between Morro Bay and Carmel should not be attempted in an RV or even a small truck. Beautiful day drive in a car. The 101 is a major highway (not freeway), you will find nice towns, plenty of fuel stops and few tight road. There is traffic as you drive through Carmel, the Golden Gate Bridge is a bit scary if you dislike traffic, but it is definitely doable. When you get to the Redwoods it would be great if you could basecamp and take a car drive along the old Redwood Highway. As for Campground, I like Flying Flags in Beulton, Petaluma KOA just across the Golden Gate from San Francisco.
Happy Trails

[mockturtle]

TyroneandGladys wrote:
Part of our trip this summer was from Venture Beach to Coos Bay Oregon. We stayed on Highway 1 and the 101 all the way and loved it! No problems with the roads.
We stayed at these stops and can not think of any reason not to go back to them
Oceanside RV Park Coos Bay
Harris Beach State Park
Sonoma Coast State Park Wrights Campground
New Brighton State Beach
Kirk Creek Campground
Montana De Oro State Park
Ventura Beach RV Resort
Some of them did not have hookups and some are length restricted

I don't imagine length restrictions were a problem for you, with your 26-inch rig. 😉

Aw, now you changed it! :B

[TyroneandGladys]

Part of our trip this summer was from Venture Beach to Coos Bay Oregon. We stayed on Highway 1 and the 101 all the way and loved it! No problems with the roads.
We stayed at these stops and can not think of any reason not to go back to them
Oceanside RV Park Coos Bay
Harris Beach State Park
Sonoma Coast State Park Wrights Campground
New Brighton State Beach
Kirk Creek Campground
Montana De Oro State Park
Ventura Beach RV Resort
Some of them did not have hookups and some are length restricted

[Francesca_Knowl]

flylipsdaddy wrote:
One of the most Senic Hwy's we've ever been on,especially in Oregon.Up in Washington there are WAY too many clear cuts along the hwy. in our opinion.Whats with that???

Don't get me started on the ugliness of Hwy 101 on the Washington "coast". Suffice it to say that north of around Ocean Shores most of the actual Pacific coastline is closed to public access except by permission of the tribes that own it.

There's a short stretch in Olympic National Park near Kalaloch where you can see the ocean for a few minutes if it's worth going that far to do so...