California suggestions

[chent]

Hi All,

We are about to embark on our maiden voyage and its a doosey! We're taking 9 weeks and going from Toronto south through Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California - and then heading back North: Oregon, Washington, BC, down to Montana, into Yellowstone and then through the Dakotas and Minnesota on our way home.

California so far looks like Malibu, LA (at a friends place), Santa Barbara, Big Sur - then we have 4 nights before we were planning to hit Yosemite for a week.

Where should we spend that time? Carmel-by-the-sea? Monterey? Santa Cruz? Somewhere else?

We have an almost 2 year old and a 5 month old sons with us - so no wild partying

Would love your advice.

Thanks all!

[Desert RVers]

>Carmel-by-the-sea? Monterey? Santa Cruz?<

Those are all great area's. Might be hard to find an RV spot. If so, you could stay in Gilroy/Holister or San Jose area. From there you could see a lot of great spots with short jaunts, including Monterey/Carmel, San Francisco, Napa wine country, etc. What a wonderful trip your family has awaiting them! Have fun and post some pics.

[chent]

Originally Posted by Desert RVers

>Carmel-by-the-sea? Monterey? Santa Cruz?<

Those are all great area's. Might be hard to find an RV spot. If so, you could stay in Gilroy/Holister or San Jose area. From there you could see a lot of great spots with short jaunts, including Monterey/Carmel, San Francisco, Napa wine country, etc. What a wonderful trip your family has awaiting them! Have fun and post some pics.

Thanks! I'll look into all of them... the availability might make the decision for us We'll most certainly post pics

[Country_Mouse]

Lots of state campground spots in CA need to be reserved 6 months in advance. Especially by beach and Yosemite.

[Seann45]

IF you are staying in commercial parks in Calif .. take lots of money.. and add 30% for currency exchange.. In the larger centers you will also need reservations. They tend to be full in the summer..

[Hattie]

Here's a novel idea ... why not take a slow leisurely drive from near Tahoe (Auburn) down the California 49er trail and learn about the gold rush (or flip the direction if starting from Yosemite) ~ I guarantee there are lots of kid-friendly things to do. I'm a 3rd-generation native who grew-up visiting these locales - and I STILL have new experiences or find hidden treasures every time I saunter down these roads.

Learn a bit of history starting with Coloma (Sutter's Mill), side-step to visit Old Town Sacramento (and the fantastic train museum and train rides; for the older - take the Segway tour), experience Columbia (pan for gold, take a stage coach ride), side-trip near Arnold to see Giant Redwoods, finish-up in Mariposa or Oakhurst that are the gateway to Yosemite's south entrance. Don't limit your camp site searching to just state parks - there are a TON of private parks along the way that all have unique character. Remember, it's the adventure that makes the memories!

[frieed]

Sugarloaf Ridge state park near Kenwood was one of our favorite spots. Smack in the middle of Wine country too.

[lodiguy]

Petaluma KOA is nice. Or in the Gold Country, The 49 campground in Plymouth is great for kids.

[nunyadamn]

Visit Hearst Castle and Monterey Bay Aquarium.

[Hattie]

Originally Posted by chent

California so far looks like Malibu, LA (at a friends place), Santa Barbara, Big Sur - then we have 4 nights before we were planning to hit Yosemite for a week. Where should we spend that time? Carmel-by-the-sea? Monterey? Santa Cruz? Somewhere else?

Part of the reason traveling in California can be a bit more costly is you have everything within very decent drives ... beaches, mountains and snow, wine and cheese, amusement and animal parks, Hollywood and the movie industry, history-making locales, etc.. It sounds like you already are seeing much of the coast but keep in mind those in the southern part of the state have the much warmer water (by 10-20 degree difference). Also take into consideration the roads you are driving and the rig you are towing ... some don't mix so well (as the DW, I refuse to tow over highway 17).

[SecretCoveDave]

Well we just wander through all of that and now try and get off the freeways. Always found some place to stay and most we would go back to.

We just phoned for a reservation a day in advance, then went in whatever direction the CG was in. Of course this may be easier for retired folks.

[chent]

Thanks Hattie. That was going to be my next question: what hwys to avoid. I'm less worried about the cost as we anticipated it in Cali. I just felt the pressure to book all of our stays because everyone cautions that things book up.

[chent]

That's really our style Its doing that with the wee ones that I worry about

[lodiguy]

The I-680 between the US 101 in San Jose up to the I-580 in Pleasanton is rough, both directions. Loaded with potholes. Avoid the morning and evening commutes anywhere you can during weekdays.

[Country_Mouse]

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/gr...a+camping.html

FYI, We have a California camping social group on the forum. These would be great posts to share over there if you feel so inclined so people have them for easy reference.

[giddyup]

Originally Posted by Hattie

Here's a novel idea ... why not take a slow leisurely drive from near Tahoe (Auburn) down the California 49er trail and learn about the gold rush (or flip the direction if starting from Yosemite) ~ I guarantee there are lots of kid-friendly things to do. I'm a 3rd-generation native who grew-up visiting these locales - and I STILL have new experiences or find hidden treasures every time I saunter down these roads.

Learn a bit of history starting with Coloma (Sutter's Mill), side-step to visit Old Town Sacramento (and the fantastic train museum and train rides; for the older - take the Segway tour), experience Columbia (pan for gold, take a stage coach ride), side-trip near Arnold to see Giant Redwoods, finish-up in Mariposa or Oakhurst that are the gateway to Yosemite's south entrance. Don't limit your camp site searching to just state parks - there are a TON of private parks along the way that all have unique character. Remember, it's the adventure that makes the memories!

This is a great side trip that Hattie has laid out for you. We, too, are native to CA. Started out in the Northern part but are now in the South half (mostly). Hattie's description brought tears to my eyes. There is so much to do and see in the gold country.

Your trip sounds great. Have fun and be sure to revisit that route when the kids are older. Safe travel!

[chent]

Thanks lodiguy! We just took our first local test trip and I wondered about that. Its pretty easy driving in Ontario. I was thinking I might post our whole route for tips just like that.