Trip from Orange County to South Lake Tahoe

[andymaan]

We are beginning to plan a trip from Orange County California to South Lake Tahoe. I'm trying to establish a route with stops along the way. I would like to know how difficult the tow will be regarding grade and find the best/safest route. We will be traveling with 2 young children so stops along the way will be necessary. We have an older F-250 (Gas V8) and a lightweight (6000lbs) 30ft TT.

Thanks so much for your input,

Andy W.

[profdant139]

I'd say Boulder Creek for the first night -- decent pool, not much else to do. Sometimes there are animals in the petting zoo -- how old are the kids? Boulder Creek is about 5 hours from Chino, depending on traffic.

From Chino, by the way, I would not go north through LA and through Palmdale. Instead, take the 15 to Adelanto and catch 395 at that point -- much less traffic. But be advised that 395 from Adelanto all the way to Ridgecrest is two lanes.

[Travelon]

andymaan wrote:
Thanks for the replies, we are excited to go a bit farther north. Looks like 395 is the way to go. I would like to head north from our house (Chino Hills) to Mammoth and camp there on the way, but fear the drive will be too long for our kids (6 hours)? Any nice campgrounds approx. 4 hours up 395?

Thanks again for the help,
Andy W.

Leave at 4 or 5am, let the kids sleep awhile makes a short drive for them, worked for us.

Travelon

[fireman93514]

I love 395 but then I am biased since I lived in Bishop 20+ years. I will second Schats. They make a mean turkey sandwich.

[sealevel_ram]

andymaan wrote:
Thanks for the replies, we are excited to go a bit farther north. Looks like 395 is the way to go. I would like to head north from our house (Chino Hills) to Mammoth and camp there on the way, but fear the drive will be too long for our kids (6 hours)? Any nice campgrounds approx. 4 hours up 395?

Thanks again for the help,
Andy W.

Not sure how far it is from your place, but Boulder Creek Campground in Lone Pine is a good place for a stopover. We enjoyed the area also around Lone Pine.
Agree that 395 is the preferred route to Lake Tahoe. I would do the Route 50 also to get to the lake.

[kalynzoo]

A lot depends on when you travel. There are plenty of campgrounds on the 395; however, when I wanted to go that way this summer I could not get full hookup reservations at any of my planned stops, so we changed our travel plans. Guess if you have your dates set you should make reservations early. Also check your plans for Tahoe, the area in general is not real RV friendly. No RV parking in parking lots, hotels require the RV be quarantined during your stay, etc. All based on requirements to protect the lake. So again, make sure you have reservations.
Beautiful country and 395 is a lovely road.
Happy Trails

[andymaan]

Thanks for the replies, we are excited to go a bit farther north. Looks like 395 is the way to go. I would like to head north from our house (Chino Hills) to Mammoth and camp there on the way, but fear the drive will be too long for our kids (6 hours)? Any nice campgrounds approx. 4 hours up 395?

Thanks again for the help,
Andy W.

[msmith1199]

There is only one viable route and that is using 395 like the others said. I know because I live in the Central Valley and there is absolutely no reason to drive through the Central Valley unless you absolutely have to!

[Not_a_Clue]

Here is a link to our blog for our trip up 395 to Tahoe in 2010

395 blog entry

[Old-Biscuit]

Coming out of Chino Hills hop on the 60 to I-15 then go north on I-15 to Hwy 395.......

Lots of interesting places along 395.......LINK

Overnight in Bishop to break the travel day up.
Fairgrounds in Bishop has FHU RV sites...$25

[SAR_Tracker]

guidry wrote:
395 is a much better route both scenic and smoother, less travelled.

And then there's Schats Bakery in Bishop..... just sayin....:B

[guidry]

395 is a much better route both scenic and smoother, less travelled.

[jmtandem]

We are beginning to plan a trip from Orange County California to South Lake Tahoe. I'm trying to establish a route with stops along the way. I would like to know how difficult the tow will be regarding grade and find the best/safest route. We will be traveling with 2 young children so stops along the way will be necessary. We have an older F-250 (Gas V8) and a lightweight (6000lbs) 30ft TT.

Thanks so much for your input,

Andy W.

There really are only two more or less direct routes. After getting out of the LA basin one option is to take 14 to 395 to the Minden/Gardnerville area and then access Tahoe via SR 88/89, Kingsbury Grade or US 50 from Carson City. All are very doable with a 30 foot TT. The second option is to travel north on IR 5 or SR 99 to either Sacramento and then take US 50 to Tahoe or earlier at Stockton take SR 88 to 89 and into Tahoe. SR 88/89 is mostly two lane with some passing lanes but it is very doable and I have traveled it many times with an RV.

US 395 is probably a little more scenic and interesting north of Lone PIne as it passes Mt. Whitney, the WWII Japanese internment camp, June Lakes, and Mammoth.