Anybody RV snowbird in So. Cal?

[John_Joey]

I read how nice the weather is in So. California, but then it goes on to state how they just finished cutting the lawn an are BBQ'ing in the backyard.

Anybody out there actually take an RV to So. Cal, spend the winter, and drive back north in the spring without owning property?

If yes, what is your monthly park cost, area, and your thoughts on snowbirding in So. Cal.

Thanks in advance.

[arnko37]

I spent one winter at the slabs boondocking. No hookups but there is a dumpstation and water in Niland about three miles west. Its interesting and free but not for everybody. I was with a singles group, Loners on Wheels that has a place there. It seemed safe enough and a wide(very) variety of people. There is a website for the SLABS w/ photos.

[rockhillmanor]

rollingslow wrote:
I would rather have earth quakes that you dont no are coming a and it be over in 10 seconds than watch a hurricane coming for 2 weeks and

not be able to do anything about it

....

No that IS what is the best part of hurricanes is you ARE able to do something about like leave! You have WEEKS to prepare.

I am originally from the Midwest and have been in several tornado touchdowns. One with 10 minutes warning which leveled 10 of my neighbors homes and all the the others we had "O" warning.

So I'll take a 2 week warning to 'prepare' for a disaster to 'save your life' hands down over the instant carnage of a tornado or earthquakes.

Sadly been there done that in tornado alley for 40 years and it is one of the reasons I choose Florida.

All the regions in the US have disastrous weather conditions of one type or another. I choose the state that is capable to give 2 weeks warning prior to the event. :C

[John_Joey]

Thanks for sharing OM. Sounds exactly like what we're looking for.

[Gonzo42]

Help keep California green and golden. Bring money.


George Washington as a boy was ignorant of the commonest accomplishments of youth --- he could not even lie. --- Mark Twain

[om]

We are finishing up our second month in San Diego area staying at Padre Dam Santee Lakes. This is our second visit and we have enjoyed the area- you can't beat the weather!! Lots to see and do. We are probably 30 miles inland, but feel like we are a loooooong ways from the big city. Many of the people here have been coming for many years. We will not be back next year- just want to see other places. (They also have a nice transit system-trolley- which is easy to access in Santee.)

[rollingslow]

I would rather have earth quakes that you dont no are coming a nd it be over in 10 seconds than watch a hurricane coming for 2 weeks and not be able to do anything about it. What part of california are u going to.

[Ed_Gee]

John&Joey wrote:
The plan is to swing through the SW in the spring. I'll have a month to a month and a half. Have friends, old neighbors, and family in Arizona and trying to figure out how much time to allocate to Arizona before heading into California. So far it doesn't sound like a lot of options in California.

Earthquakes we don't care about. We were in Anaheim during a 7.2-4? and it didn't scare us (at least not as much as it did the locals. :h) I figure also you're pretty safe in an RV anyways like Al said.

We'll be looking for FHU unless there was some sort of a loop(i.e. municipal parks) an RV could do, then just W/E would work. Down side for us with this municipal park option is we do like being around things to do other then only nature stuff.

Earthquakes? Personally I'd rather be in a SoCal 7.0 earthquake than the one that is expected back home in the Pacific Northwest area. ( Google " Cascadia subduction zone " ) to find out what a real earthquake will do. The Japanese already know.

[John_Joey]

The plan is to swing through the SW in the spring. I'll have a month to a month and a half. Have friends, old neighbors, and family in Arizona and trying to figure out how much time to allocate to Arizona before heading into California. So far it doesn't sound like a lot of options in California.

Earthquakes we don't care about. We were in Anaheim during a 7.2-4? and it didn't scare us (at least not as much as it did the locals. :h) I figure also you're pretty safe in an RV anyways like Al said.

We'll be looking for FHU unless there was some sort of a loop(i.e. municipal parks) an RV could do, then just W/E would work. Down side for us with this municipal park option is we do like being around things to do other then only nature stuff.

[path1]

Depends on how you do it and where in So Cal.

1st of all I think your off to a bad start if your doing any yard work other than shaking your welcome mat more than 3 good shakes in the morning.

We spend time in (LA) Orange county and Bakersfield area. LA area is hard to RV in, so spend some time thinking "out of the box" on where to park and what to do. Such as "5 days out of 30" in kids driveway in Orange County is more than enough for us, then off to another place. "Another place" for us is moving to an area that we will be camping over the weekend with grandkids that will have weekend with us. Then after parents pick them up on Sunday we'll spend quiet time together and then will move on Monday or Tuesday. Etc, etc...

As far as BBQ in back yard lets just say Dutch Oven cooking in driveway has neighbors taking evening strolls by his place. Darn what a upside down pineapple cake won't do.

Costs...We do not pay what some places want. $60.00 to $80.00 a night to park is nuts IMO. I don't need entertainment, I'll make my own. Even if its watching the wife look stuff up to do on computer.

Right now http://www.metrolinktrains.com/ has a deal on weekends for $10.00 and ride all day. You can stay way up near Lancaster and go about anywhere from LA on down to San Diego. So it depends on where you park. I must admit adjusting screen on lap top because of sun is rough duty.

OK got to go, today is a "move" day. Going to Yuma today, staying until spring break.

Life is rough

[vermilye]

There is a wide range of campgrounds and costs, everything from thousands per month to places like the Imperial Dam BLM area where is is $180.00 for the entire winter.

Without being specific about your ideas on Snowbirding, it is difficult to help with choices. In my case, I spent much of February at Imperial Dam, dry camping, and had a great time. Temperatures were in the 90's during some days, and high 40's at night.

[WyoTraveler]

Indio and Palm Springs is a nice area. It does, at times, drop below freezing at night. 30, nothing serious. 70s during the day. Earth quakes? Mostly hype by news stations. I lived and worked in So Ca for over 40 years. A 3.7 won't even wake you up. A 7.0 will get your attention but not too many of those. Great place to visit and enjoy great restaurants and shopping. Too crowded as a permanent residence. Years ago, back in the 60s, Indio was a small town where you could pull off into the desert and camp or camp in Joshua Tree for free. How times have changed.

[pawatt]

I hear The Slabs are nice.
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Sorry, couldn't resist.

[almcc]

We have made southern California our destination of choice for the past few years, we haul our RV from southern Ontario and make the return trip each year. We like the desert area (Palm Springs, Borrego Springs area) for the cooler nights and warm days with guaranteed good weather.

In terms of park costs, there is lots of variation, I've been in low cost parks where it's difficult to open the awning without hitting the RV next door and the higher cost ones that are excellent, in general you get what you pay for.

As for earthquakes, we've had a 3.7 and a 3.2 this winter (and a couple of booms that I believe were earthquake related). The 3.7 moved the coffee in our cups, felt like wind hitting the side of the RV. No worries, I'm sure the RV would take a substantial shake before sustaining any damage, probably safer than being in a S&B home.

[bobfrombc]

check out

http://foyspa.com/facilities.html

warmer and dryer and less windy than yuma or palm springs.
lots of activities in nice facilities
out of town so if daily shopping is your thing this isnt the rvpark.

we love the desert hiking, biking and walks.