Trip recommendation

Honey Bear Campground and RV Resort in Brookings is ok by me but make your reservations in a hurry. This Summer will be busy on Oregon’s coast IMO.

Harris Beach SP, Brookings, is wonderful and very popular which makes getting reservations difficult. The walk down the hill to the beach is fine, the walk back up the hill is a challenge for those of us more experienced in celebrating birthdays.

Beachside State Park, once it reopens, is as close as you can get to the sand. It is also closer to Newberg and makes for a nice drive.

We like Redwood Meadows in Crescent City California - we have also stayed at the KOA there and liked it

Why do you need to drop the camper in order to drive down the coast and visit the redwoods? I have been up and down the Pacific coast including Oregon and northern Cal and never once considered dropping the camper or regretted having it.

Avenue of the Giants
Take your camper with you. ;)

In last 3 years we made couple transcontinental vacations and spending 8-9 weeks on the road we never made advanced reservations.
When I was planning next stop - I would go on google maps and after finding list of campgrounds, I would go to satellite mapping where lot of areas had 3D option who would allow you to "fly" over and actually see what you are getting.
Than sometimes you get nice surprise. Only beware of long weekends in prime locations who are sold out 6 month in advance, but having good internet you still can find a cancelation.
Having 6000 lb camper and dogs, I often preferred dropping the camper and leave it with AC running for dogs, when we would drive pickup for exploring the area, or dining.
With some practice dropping off is 5 minutes, loading alone takes about 15.
Than took me 3 years to figure out my Ford 360 cameras have trailer option who makes lining up a breeze.
Whole idea of having TC is avoiding car rental.

Kayteg1 wrote:
......
With some practice dropping off is 5 minutes, loading alone takes about 15.
..

Not for some of us. When loaded on center, I have 1/4" clearance between the left side of the tailgate opening and the bump out for the bath area of the camper. I typically load off center about 1" but after I still need to retune the positioning. If I owned a newer Chevy truck, the camper would not even fit.

My Fleetwood had to be set with side "butt" touching tailgate opening on driver side. I made hardwood slider on the opening what would prevent metal scratching and give some guidance.
That still with practice did not add much time to loading.
We have several topics about camper loading. When 360 cameras are great helps, on older vehicles members have different tips how to line up camper.
Again, practice makes perfect.

We stayed at Village Camper Inn, in Crescent City. The owners were very nice and accommodating.

I appreciate all the suggestions. I read a good review about the KOA in Crescent City, the sites were not too jammed together. I also like the idea of Google Earth to see what the park or campground looks like. We plan to go in April or May so hopefully beat the crowds.