California coast

[Mikeborny]

Planning a trip from Ventura California to Yosemite then up to Seattle. Trying to decide if it's worth driving all the way up the coast to Monterey, or take interior route? Any suggestions on places to stay around monterey?

[Kayteg1]

Parking in Big Sur with big coach is a problem.
There was cliff campground, close to Hert's Castle with NO hookups and no dump station. Later I learned that Hert's parking allows overnight.
But about 1/2 way of Big Sur I found gas station that had parking for few RV. They charge me like $5, but that was over 10 years ago.
So dump your holding tanks and fill up water before going there.
Coastal fog unfortunately is an issue.
Years ago I had friend coming from Montreal on bussines trip, what gave us 3 hr to see San Francisco.
I drove him to Twin Peaks - very scenic mountain above the city.
I could barely see curbs driving there and friend had to take my word the view is spectacular.
To top it, being in a hurry he pick up SF guide for his wife.
Back home they speak French, English, Polish and Spanish.
DW ask him what was the purpose of picking up German guide.

[korbe]

My thoughts are if your main objective is getting to Yosemite, then skip the coast. But if the travel is an important part of the journey, then head up the coast. Indirect but much more scenic. BTW, we traveled hwy 1 in June and the fog was so thick, I didn't even know the ocean was just down over the rail.

[Jabrad_s_Papa]

Some of our favorite places up the coast are Pismo, Morro Bay and Avala Beach. Avila has first come, first serve spaces overlooking the bay. Although these are a half day drive from Ventura.
One place we stayed was Julia Phiefer ( sp ) State Park. It was off the 1 around Big Sir. They allowed overnight dry camping and it was beautiful.
There is plenty of beach camping north of Monterey in the Monterey Bay. Sea Cliff SB is our favorite and they do have a few spots a day on the lottery system.
Then head thru Watsonville, over Pacheco Pass, thru Los Banos to the 99. Your at the foot of Yosemite.

[ArchHoagland]

eDUBz wrote:
Interested in this topic aswell, I just booked 2 nights in big Sur I'm leaving from oxnard. We just got back from south lake Tahoe and took the i-5 it's long and boring I'd suggest take the 101 up through monterey. How do you get spots at yosemite? It's booked up well in advance. Is some of it first come first serve?

Where did you book two nights in Big Sur?

[MarkTwain]

Mikeborny wrote:
Trip is planned for mid June. Only have one day to spare, so just windering if drive along coast is a must see, or if too slow a drive and cant see much.

Personally, I would choose the coast over Yosemite primarily because Yosemite will be full of people and congested at that time of the year.

[Ray___June]

msmith1199 wrote:
If you've never taken 1, I'd take 1. Much more scenic of a drive. Just check weather and road conditions. I probably would not take it in the rain or a storm in a motorhome as it is prone to being closed by mudslides.

I've driven 1 three different times, spectacular drive, but slow. I'd really recommend it in a smaller vehicle, so you can pull off, slow down, and enjoy the unbelievable sights that are along the coast.

There are many towns within a few miles of the coast highway that have great campgrounds (but not cheap) so you can really get the chance to see one of the most picturesque roads in the USA.

[2bzy2c]

Regarding Yosemite, you can find spots as there are cancellations all the time, but you have to be johnny on the spot and hit the Reserve America website several times a day. It can be done, but you have to be flexible on your time.

The drive up Hwy 1 can be a bit of a challenge, especially around Big Sur. It gets narrow and curvy. Nothing that cannot be done, but it is a challenge.

Take your time, pull off often, and try not to sweat the time factor.

If you decide not to try Yosemite, there are literally dozens of campgrounds around Mammoth lakes that rival Yosemite. Granted, you don't have the Yosemite Valley, but there are plenty of other options. Fishing, horse back riding, devils post pile, Rainbow falls, endless hiking possibilities, good food in town, free shuttle buses, nice camp grounds.

While I love Yosemite, it is a bit of a zoo. Tour buses, crowds, overly eager rangers staring you down. If you have a dog, expect to get a lecture about leashes, potty bags, yadda yadda yadda. It's frankly overdone, but just the same, beautiful.

[RayChez]

Take the 101 up to Monterey, then cut across to Manteca and up to Yosemite. Then when you have finished with your visit to Yosemite go down to I-99 and drive north until you get passed San Francisco and get back on I-101 all the way to Seattle. I-101 is very scenic through the Redwoods and beyond.

I would not take highway 1 if you have a large coach, it is just to slow of a road to make good time. Very curvy road.

[Kayteg1]

One day is nothing for Big Sur.
Would you have 3-5 days, the Hert's Castle can take that alone.
Is that planned with 40' ? You can find upper campgrounds in Yosemite without a reservation, but 40' is not going to fit in many.
When I drove 40' via Yosemite, I stop for 1/2 day at the valley, where you have free shuttles and then drove up to find a parking lot on Nevada desert.
No worry about rain and mudslides in June.

[msmith1199]

If you've never taken 1, I'd take 1. Much more scenic of a drive. Just check weather and road conditions. I probably would not take it in the rain or a storm in a motorhome as it is prone to being closed by mudslides.

[eDUBz]

Interested in this topic aswell, I just booked 2 nights in big Sur I'm leaving from oxnard. We just got back from south lake Tahoe and took the i-5 it's long and boring I'd suggest take the 101 up through monterey. How do you get spots at yosemite? It's booked up well in advance. Is some of it first come first serve?

[Mikeborny]

Trip is planned for mid June. Only have one day to spare, so just windering if drive along coast is a must see, or if too slow a drive and cant see much.

[MarkTwain]

Mikeborny wrote:
Planning a trip from Ventura California to Yosemite then up to Seattle. Trying to decide if it's worth driving all the way up the coast to Monterey, or take interior route? Any suggestions on places to stay around monterey?

part of your answer depends on"
1. time of year your trip is planned, winter or summer?
2. How much time do you have for your trip?
The fastest route from Ventura would be I-5 to Yosemtie and then I-5 to Seattle. The more scenic route would be from Ventura up 101 to Monterey and then over to Yosemite. Look in the Good Sam RV web site for RV parks in the Monterey area.