Hello all,My family (2 adults, 2 kids) is planning our first RV vacation. We will go from San Jose area to Carmel, then to Morro Bay. We have a few days then want to spend time in Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, then have one night to spend to get back to the Bay Area.Any tips on the best spot to stop along I-5 that might have some fun stuff to do that is midway?Any tips on best places around LA - we don't need to get in and see the city and in fact are prioritizing safe roads for RV-ing since it's our first time.Any advice on routes and even specific campgrounds would be welcome. We have reserved one night in Morro Bay and two nights at a campground in Joshua Tree (this one with no hookups).Thanks so much and happy to review old posts but I didn't see anything specifically related.~ABP615

Hopefully you're aware that US 1 south of Big Sur is not a road for everyone and check that it's not closed yet again when you're ready.King City has a CG (city, county?) that has a museum that the kids should like but it's been years since we've been there. We're at RV Ranch in Paso but it's close to Morro Bay."Any tips on best places around LA - we don't need to get in and see the city and in fact are prioritizing safe roads for RV-ing since it's our first time."Good luck with that! One route is 101, 134, 210, 10 MIDDAY ONLY.Another is 126 from Ventura to 5, 210 or 126, 5 14, 138 to Josha or drop down 15, 215, 210, 10.

Another decent route is 40, 58, 99, 46, 5, 156. In a few days we'll stop at Orange Grove CG in Edison and pick the oranges - the best we've ever eated by far. Decent CG just east of Bakersfield.

Not US Hwy. 1....California Hwy. 1. Between Monterey and Cambria is a beautiful drive! You could stay at Hearst San Simeon State Park. IF you are lucky try for Plaskett Creek USFS campground. Reservations are accepted. If you us US Hwy. 101 Monterey County’s San Lorenzo Park in King City is very nice with lots of old farm equipment to view. I stayed here two months ago.

If you like the Desert, see Borrego Springs. Lots of choices in rv parks too. We liked the luxurious- Springs at Borrego. Mineral baths, pool, golf and great dining nearby.

abp615 wrote:Hello all,My family (2 adults, 2 kids) is planning our first RV vacation. We will go from San Jose area to Carmel, then to Morro Bay. We have a few days then want to spend time in Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, then have one night to spend to get back to the Bay Area.Any tips on the best spot to stop along I-5 that might have some fun stuff to do that is midway?Any tips on best places around LA - we don't need to get in and see the city and in fact are prioritizing safe roads for RV-ing since it's our first time.Any advice on routes and even specific campgrounds would be welcome. We have reserved one night in Morro Bay and two nights at a campground in Joshua Tree (this one with no hookups).Thanks so much and happy to review old posts but I didn't see anything specifically related.~ABP615I don't have a clear picture of your schedule. How many miles are you willing to drive in a day. Personally I drive a max of 4hrs. or 400 mile per day, whichever comes first. It shoulds like you are trying to really cram in a lot of activities/miles into short period of time based on the number of days your vacation allows for. I would stay totally out of the L.A. area especially the coast. Too much traffic and too many crazy people, not a real RV friendly place to visit! I will drive 200 miles extra to avoid going any where near L.A..I would go from Morrow Bay to Bakersfield on Hwy.58 or for a long day all the way to Joshua Tree and come home the same way. I-5 is not a real sight seeing route but just going from point A to Point B.

Tips for California early April RV trip | Good Sam Community

MarkTwain
Explorer
Jan 14, 2020
fx2tom wrote:
Another good stop on the way down is Pismo Beach. Pismo Coast Village RV Resort is nice. Weather is great in that area.

Reservations mandatory at Pismo Coast RV Resort and it is most expensive park and sites are packed like sardines. There are 2 state parks within 1/4 miles. electricity/water in the park. The other has elec./ water but not at every site. Both have park dumps.
kazmir
Explorer
Jan 13, 2020
Do you have a spot in Monterey yet? Marina Dunes is a full hook up campground before Monterey on Hwy 1. Drove through it and its packed but adequate for a night. If you are driving through to Carmel, there is a RV park on the Carmel River. From there you can drive into Big Sur or just go as far as Point Lobos SP. You will have to park the Motorhome out on the Hwy and walk into the park, its definitely worth it and a great alternative to driving into Big Sur. From Carmel, back track up to Monterey and take Hwy 68 over to 101 to get down to Paso Robles to take 41 over to Morro Bay.
awoodwaring
Explorer
Jan 13, 2020
Aim for a Thursday night Farmer's Market in San Luis Obispo.
fx2tom
Explorer
Jan 09, 2020
Another good stop on the way down is Pismo Beach. Pismo Coast Village RV Resort is nice. Weather is great in that area.
Lakejumper
Explorer
Jan 08, 2020
I agree with avoiding going through LA unless you go through at night or early morning on a weekend. Commute traffic is bad. I prefer going through Bakersfield and then down Hwy 395 South to I210 East and I10 East. Have a great trip and make reservations soon. I didn’t see if you stated what time of the year you want to go as Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are very hot (can get well over 100 degrees) in late Spring through late Summer. Also, what type of RV you have for traveling down the coast. If you decide to go through LA, you can stay at Valencia RV Village (off of I5) and take the kids to Magic Mountain.
Jabrad_s_Papa
Explorer
Jan 08, 2020
If you do decide to go down Hwy 1 south of Monterey, there is a beautiful park set back from everything. Julia Pheifer Park is great. They have a small river, creek, that has a dammed up area. Great for swimming. Lots of hiking and beauty.
If the campground is full they will let you dry camp way in back for a lesser fee.
abp615
Explorer
Jan 07, 2020
Gorgeous photos! Thank you so much to all the posters - these are great suggestions. I will get my map out and rethink the trip. Also will make sure we are not on Highway 1 north of San Simeon. I don't think we're ready for those routes.
vermilye
Explorer
Jan 07, 2020
Depending on your route, another dry campground that has interesting backdrops for the campsites & some nice hikes is Red Rock Canyon State Park in California near Cantil.

Some of my photos of the park.
Executive45
Explorer III
Jan 07, 2020
abp615 wrote:
Thank you! I like the idea of skipping LA totally and going through Bakersfield. Thanks so much for that idea and for the specific ideas in PS, JT, etc. the four hours or 400 miles rule of thumb is very helpful too.

Thanks so much.

If your kids love trains, (who doesn't) then be sure to stop and see the Tehachapi Loop. Only one of it's kind. There is also a fuel stop at the top of the hill if you don't want to stop in Bakersfield. Also, there is an airplane bone yard in Mojave that's interesting. Be safe...Dennis

Tehachapi Loop
MrWizard
Moderator
Jan 07, 2020
I have lived in calif 42v years and I still haven't been to Joshua Tree
But I love Sequoia Nat Pk, kings canyon, Mount lassen park (plug Dome volcano) bubbling mud pots etc,

Calif hw1, is beautiful I drove it once with a pickup and popup trailer, I will NOT drive
that road near Morro Bay etc with a motorhome , maybe in a converted van camper, NOT in a 102 inch wide motorhome, not anywhere north of Pismo
San Simeon south I'm ok with
Jalamma Beach Santa Barbra county , great place off the beaten track, great surf, wind surfing , surf fishing, lots of beach , even when the campground is full, the beach seems empty, because it is so large, accepts reservations,