Best place to go for Thanksgiving? CA? AZ? UT?

[schab3ng3l]

My husband and I are looking for places to go for Thanksgiving and I was hoping people could give me some ideas or things to look out for when we go. How far in advance do people usually plan their holiday trip? It seems everything is crowded that would be camping along the ocean (which is what I want to do) and my husband wants to go up north to the snow but stay in an rv park. Where the best place to go? is there a honest review website of rv parks or campgrounds I can look at? I've been looking at koas, good sams, and yelp for information and I would love to know more. What's the best thing to do? We are In AZ and the options are west to CA or north to UT. Thank you in advance!

[clubhouse]

We typically camp along the CA Central Coast. These spots typically release for reservation at 0800 on April 1st, by 0900 on 4/1 they are gone. Occasionally a spot of two will become available from cancelation leading up to the holiday, but it is luck that you find one.

[schab3ng3l]

Clubhouse,

Is there any option B's? Or Option C's?

[clubhouse]

San Luiso Obispo and Santa Barbara counties both have nice county parks with CG that aren't as busy as the private and SP. Many sites have full hookups too. We really like Lopez Lake in SLO county near Arroyo Grande. It's about 10-15 min ride to the ocean, but when we go their we don't typically head to the beach as there is lots to see and do in the park.

[mike837go]

SWMBO and my first overnighter was Thanksgiving Weekend (all 4 days) at a remote mountain cabin. No water or electricity. Just a wood stove, propane heat and an outhouse.


Ah, the memories....

[schab3ng3l]

Thanks Clubhouse! My husband has always wanted to live in SLO so we will definitely be checking out that recommendation!
Have you ever stayed at arroyo seco it's open for thanksgiving along with San Siemon? I went to school in Monterey and love it and wouldn't know where to stay in an rv or travel trailer around there. And i love point lobos area as that was my go to place when I was stressed after finals and not even five minute there I wasn't.

Mike
What is SWMBO? I am not hip to the lingo yet. I feel old saying that.

[clubhouse]

She Who Must Be Obeyed.

I like San Simeon, however not I the Spring because it's way to windy.

There are no hookups, but they do have a dump station so with a Barker or Therford tote and generator you can easily stay for multiple days and not worry about your tanks filling up.

[clubhouse]

Monterey is tough, there is CG in marina but we typically go to Aptos or Capitola and stay at either New Brighton or Sea Cliff SB. Both book up in record speed, especially SeaCliff because it's full hookup ocean front.

Since we are going through all my favorites you might add Pismo Coast Village and Pismo SB North Beach CG to your list.

If the mountains are a consideration, you might look into Sequoia RV ranch in Three Rivers, CA. It's a nice old school full book CG about 20 min outside the Sequoia NP hwy 198 gate. Three Rivers is only ~2000' so no snow and out of the valley fog.

Check out Camp Edison at Shaver Lake and the CG along Basslake too. We frequent all these places.

All of this is a bit of a drive from AZ, but if you are looking at CA you might as well look at the Sierras as well as the Coast

[bedrck46]

schab3ng3l Check the attached link


http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f2...html#post19731

[Hattie]

I understand lots of Thanksgiving campers head to Death Valley ... not that you need more desert sand!

Looking for some sights? Can't recommend enough moseying along Highway 49 - the Gold Rush Trail; educational and lots of antiques.

[schab3ng3l]

Yeah we just got back from a three week tour this summer of the pacific northwest (before the fires) from AZ in our highlander which is what prompted the need for a travel trailer. We are planning on renting or borrowing a truck to pull our travel trailer so distance is a factor but we love visiting CA and have family and friends all over. I love sequoia we ere just outside of there in visalia in the spring after visiting Santa Barbara and it's so sad to see the effects of the drought.
I was looking at our options as my husband wants to go to San diego as it's closer. but the only options are commercial rv parks and one beach option which is San Onofore which is right next to a nuclear generating station which isn't looking good to me. Is pismo coast rv park the one you're talking about? I've heard good things about that one and flying flags rv park. There's two options Pismo coast and Pismo sands. On yelp the coast one is higher rated so I'd love to hear your opinions or experience there if you have the time. For November that wouldn't be too much of a drive as we'll probably stop in Palm desert for a day to break it up. We didn't do that this spring and decided to drive overnight with a toddler to our vacation rental and it was a huge mistake.
I think I'll have to plan for next year to get in line fo rht Central Coast as it is the most beautiful area to visit and stay for awhile to many people, myself included. I was very fortunate to live there for college and it's something I plan to go back to with my kids!
The other campgrounds you recommended I've never heard of and am excited to see what they are like! Thanks for all the information it's much needed for a newbie like myself!

[schab3ng3l]

I've never been so I think that would be something to do! But yes you're right I don't need much more sand and dirt or desert!
We would be coming from tucson I do this annual bike ride there so was looking for options that would good south but I'm a big fan of the new options we have around us. But I love the central coast, my hubby does too but wants to stay around san diego but we're always open to ideas and suggestions!

[schab3ng3l]

what are the rv locks for bed rock?

[maromeo]

Casino campgrounds are also a good overnighter. We have stayed in many on our cross country trips. There are some you can park overnight in their parking lot for free. We have done this a few time when en route.

DD had a lacrosse tournament in the San Diego area in June and we stayed at Chula Vista RV Resort. We had a Bay view site. It was a bit pricey but was a nice clean park looking into the city park and the bay. You can walk to the right into the park through a security gate. No real beach in that area but not a far drive from Coronado Island and nice beaches. Also very close to Imperial Beach which is a smaller Beach but clean. Just finding a parking spot can be an issue.

Chula Vista RV Park & Resort in San Diego, CA | RV Camping

Hope this helps.

Mary Anne

[tbwill]

X2 for the SLO County Parks. We like to stay at El Chorro Regional Park on Hwy 1 halfway between SLO and Morro Bay. Unfortunately almost all of the hookup sites are already reserved. If you don't mind staying in the primitive sites, there are still plenty of sites left for the Thanksgiving week. SLO is about 5 miles South and Morro Bay about 5 miles North.

[wags999]

May want to check out what truck your going to tow with. Not as easy as renting a truck and hitching up. Truck has to be set up to tow, proper hitch at correct height, brake controller installed etc. Perhaps a WD hitch will be needed. Limits of truck to tow and to haul what you want to haul.

Would think that would be item one to get in line, then, if you can two what you want with the vehicle available, then find a place to stay. JMHO

[Flyrotor]

In San Diego, Campland on the Bay is one of our favorites, the are located on Mission Bay accross from Seaworld, they have their own beach and marina in the bay too. They are only a couple of miles away from the Boardwalk at Mission Beach. They're private so they cost a bit more, but last time I was there they were a decent, clean, gated and have 24 hr security.

[doonkin]

We are off to sequoia RV ranch Tgiving. It's in 3 rivers. Weather was great last time we went. The big redwoods are great n you can do TG dinner at Wuksachi lodge.

[schab3ng3l]

Thank you for your suggestions and advice!