aerbus32
Explorer II
Joined 20 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: Help with trip planning from San Diego to San Francisco
First. That is a long day’s drive. If possible rethink it. Our home base is Murrieta. As with the Bay Area, it’s not just a factor of miles, but traffic. I’d strongly suggest stopping at one of the great parks in Bakersfield. Then accessing SD via 58, hitting SD as early in the afternoon as possible. I would not recommend the park you suggested in SD. Small, cramped sites. It’s a party place. There is a new very expensive place that I would highly recommend. Homeward, take 101, not 1. We prefer Morro over Pismo. Couple of nice private places & 2 great state facilities. If you really want to splurge, check out the new facility in Avila Beach. Reserve all sites now! Finally, I am extremely familiar with the areas you’re talking. Private message me if you like, we’re on the last leg of a 7,000 mile trek. Probably won’t be checking this site again.832Views0likes0CommentsRe: Northwest coast of U.S.
Looking at your rig, you’ll want to pretty much so stay on 101 & access the coast with your dinghy. Even at that time of year you will need reservations. Case in point. Bandon, in Oregon, is super packed with crabbers (if I remember correctly). We stayed at Seven Feathers, arguably the best on the west coast, then day tripped to the coast. As long as you are there, hit Crater Lake. The park in Prospect is outstanding. Many day trip it from 7 Feathers.934Views0likes0CommentsRe: motorhome on pch
There are a number of reasons I would advise against this. And by this I mean from Morro Bay north. RV’ers do it all the time, usually with a prominently displayed ‘El Monte Rents’. The first reason is that you will be a traffic impediment, as passenger cars will be trying to pass you in an area where it can rarely be done safely. Second is the ever present bicyclist who will be even slower than you. Again, you have to get around them, and then cars around you. Finally, the ‘Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas’, available at truck stops, definitely does not show the aforementioned route as an 18 wheeler route. Park the RV, take the dinghy. There are plenty of nice RV parks on 101.855Views0likes0CommentsRe: Albuquerque Rv campground?
We just left Santa Fe Skies RV. I had initially intended to stay at American in Albuquerque (which we last stayed at 8 years ago) or the newer one by the casino a few miles to the west. I haven’t yet posted the Santa Fe review, but it’s unlikely I’ll return. Santa Fe itself has become another homeless pit. Every time I got out the the truck, except once, I was approached for a handout. Once aggressively. (At 68, 6’3”, 232lbs., used to be third degree black belt that stills lifts when I’m not on the road, I guess I look like an easy target.). We visited the Cabella’s in Albuquerque. Got to talking to a salesman by the fitting rooms about in store thefts. The homeless just walk in, fill up a cart & walk-out. In the future, I’d likely stay in the Bernalillo area. Drove thru it Wednesday. Newer & more my socioeconomic bias.783Views0likes0CommentsOvernight stay in California
Some of you may be in a similar situation . . . We’ve been RV’ing in California’s Gold Country since right after Thanksgiving. Reservations were made prior to the most recent lockdown at The Lakes RV, Black Oak RV, Jackson Rancheria & Vineyard RV. All were multi-day. This trip was made specifically at the request of my daughter-in-law, an A/F nurse recently sent TDY, who was concerned about my son’s (ex-Spec Ops) ability to get to SMF on his own following a traumatic brain injury about a year ago. We will be taking him Thursday. Our concern was the trip home to Murrieta from Vacaville. The route we take avoids LA and is well over 500 miles. (Can I do it in one day? Yep. Do I want to? Nope.) We always stay overnight at Orange Grove RV east of Bakersfield on 58 our last night out. Would this latest ‘directive’ prohibit a single night’s stop as we were homeward bound? I just checked the park’s website. Followed up with a phone call to confirm. No problem. If you find yourself in a similar situation, their website is a good place to check.5.6KViews0likes26CommentsRe: Best and worst routes across the Mountains ?
Dick_B wrote: You may want to keep a copy of Mountain Directory West handy to help plan the routes. Definitely do that! Do not get anywhere near 1 south of Stinson Beach. Do not take 101 thru SF. (I’d suggest you take 20 south of Willits to 5.) Make reservations way, way in advance for your RV sites. I’d strongly recommend from Sacramento south you take 99 (better RV parks) or 5 to 58. Tehachapi is easier than Grapevine. 58 gets you to I-40. With our previous 37’ Class A, we always spent the night at Orange Grove RV. From there we could get an early start to get over the pass before it got hot. We could also keep an eye on the winds. It can get real windy thru all the So Cal passes. (More than happy to share excellent RV parks along the routes.)372Views0likes0CommentsRe: Towing in the mountains: the routes near big bear lake
330 was actually my preferred route to Big Bear. Famous picture from years back of a Bayliner Trophy and it’s tow vehicle, one of which was hanging off the cliff. (Same pullout I always used!) We’re currently up in the Gold Country, using mostly 49. It’s infamous for steep long grades & tight turns. Just drove from Manteca to Black Oak RV outside of Sonora, then to Jackson Rancheria. I found it nowhere near as challenging as those associated with Big Bear or Crestline. I’d suggest you download the app ‘Mountain Directory’. Details troublesome grades, etc. It recommends 38 to access BB or Arrowhead. I also use the ‘Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas’. It id’s routes recommended for 18 wheelers. It identifies no route to get up there. You might consider what I did. Drove my tow vehicle up just to see.1KViews0likes0Comments
Groups
Bucket List Trips
Bucketlist destinations you just can't miss. Which spots stick with you?Jan 18, 202513,487 Posts Full Time RVers
Thinking about becoming a full-time RVer? Ask the experts.Dec 28, 20241,587 Posts Motorhome Group
Join in here to discuss all things motorhomes.Feb 13, 202538,707 Posts RV Newbies
We all start out new. Share lessons learned or first-time questions!Jun 15, 20174,026 Posts
