Arizona to Northern California - Give me your ideas!

[ahaywood5785]

So the spouse and I are planning on taking a two week trip to California from Arizona, it will be us and two of our dogs, a Golden and a Black Lab. We really enjoy taking the dogs to the beach, and part of our trip would like to go up to the Redwoods of northern California, since we have never been before. We have a 2012 Jayco 198RD, and I plan on doing a combination of boondocking, Campsites, KOA type locations, and maybe a hotel night or two.

Anyone want to recommend spots to stop along the California coast north of Los Angeles, Thinking we would do a combination of the 101, Highway 1, , and maybe on the return trip going to the mountain areas, interior of California (maybe).

This will only be my second camping trip outside Arizona, we went on a great two week trip to Utah last year, saw 7 national parks, saw some incredible sights.

Thank you in advance for any ideas! Going to start planning my route soon.

[Midnightmoon]

You probably aren't going this far east, but the area around Sutter's Mill/Coloma, Folsom, and historic Sacramento are really interesting to see. Definitely worth the stop if you are in the area.

There is a KOA in the El Dorado Hills area that is decent and also the American River Resort was nice the last time I was there in 2013.

[Seann45]

The Lava Tubes in Northern California

[LuckyDuck]

A few thoughts to ponder:

— To get even a glimpse of some of the things you’re talking about, especially the redwood north coast, two weeks won’t cut it unless you want to drive 12 hours a day and just hit a few highlights. We have a trip to the Grand Canyon/southern Utah booked and are barely hitting some, but not nearly all, the places we want in three weeks. And that’s with some long driving days.

— Highways 1 and 101 are scenic, often winding, often-narrow roadways. You won’t average 50-60 mph on them, so plan accordingly, especially if you want to stop and “smell the roses.” The alternative is to travel up central California (I-5) and cut over to the coast, reducing the slower coastal route. There’s plenty to see in north or south, but running the whole coast south to north is a long haul.

— In this post-Covid age of ubiquitous RVs, parks and campgrounds are full or filling fast. I’m hearing from friends with RV parks in redwood country that they are just about full for summer. The primary state parks in the redwoods take reservations, but typically are booked six months out for summer. If you haven’t started booking now, you may have trouble finding spots. I wouldn’t recommend booking as you go.

— For the most part, the “mountain areas” and “interior of California” are mutually exclusive. Central California in summer is not particularly enticing (my opinion) unless you are intrigued seeing where your food is grown, but it is expeditious in getting through the state. Mountain areas in the north (Mt. Shasta, Lassen National Park, Tahoe) are phenomenal as is the entire coast. Same with the area east of the Sierras. But you could spend two weeks in any of those alone.

You surely know this, but gas is higher in California than virtually anywhere. It’s mostly over $6/gallon and diesel is higher and that’s in the metro areas. It’ll be more in areas like the coast. It is what it is, but keep it in mind.

Good luck and happy camping!

[SloPoke]

If you want to take your dogs out on the beach... you will need to research very carefully your options.

Most Beaches in Cal prohibit dogs. I lived there over 40 years and have traveled the coast from San Diego to Eureka for work.

[ahaywood5785]

Originally Posted by SloPoke

If you want to take your dogs out on the beach... you will need to research very carefully your options.

Most Beaches in Cal prohibit dogs. I lived there over 40 years and have traveled the coast from San Diego to Eureka for work.

The beach thing with the dogs we are familiar with. We have several dog friendly beaches we already know of and have been to over the years, so we have pit stops scheduled. Thank you for the tip!

[Shokyle1]

I would recommend the KOA in crecent city. I have been twice it is a great base for seeing the northern redwoods.

[Kim Gass]

Bodie, the ghost town near Bridgeport.. interior.

[GarlicDude]

We've stayed at Stillwater Cove which is dog friendly https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/


Will be staying here soon MacKerricher SP


A bit North of Eureka we stayed here twice, the Roosevelt Elks wander through the campground. https://www.elkcountryrvresort.com/

These sites might be helpful https://dogtrekker.com/

https://www.dogfriendly.com/

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

Bodie, the ghost town near Bridgeport.. interior.

Actually, Bodie and Bridgeport are along Highway 395 on the eastern edge of California, on the back side of the Sierras. It’s not the interior, but it’s beautiful.