California Route 5

[Rossue]

Thanks for clarifying Jon; that is only the second place we've found that AT&T worked where Verizon didn't- other place being Lassen. No doubt there are other places as well, however usually it is the other way around.

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by Lynn L

When driving from Corning Calif to Bakersfield(6 hrs apparently) are there any suggestions for a midway stop?

When are you going? You alluded to Winter in Post #8. If that is the case I would be careful about going down Hwy 97 through Bend as was suggested. Even more caution for Hwy 395 from Reno to Mammoth. It can have several chain controls and weather can change rapidly there during Winter. Otherwise that is a beautiful alternative to the boring and congested I-5 corridor.

[cpaharley2008]

Between Fresno and Bakersfield on 99 is a nice cg we stay while visiting relatives in central California, located in Kingsburg,Ca is Riverland Resort

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Lynn L

So I am assuming that if we are just stopping for the night we can keep the trailer hitched ready to go in the am? If not then the reason for keeping our travelling time down.

I'll pass on commenting on our ferry costs.

Any time we're in transit and over nighting, and even when not, we just use the trailer as is. Most times I don't even put the stabilizers down. So the trailer moves a bit when you move around, not a big deal for us but then we've spent a lot of time on boats and they move around a bit too.

We drive that route often and my wife always makes notations on the map for things like good gas stations, good overnight stopping spots and then she later takes them from the map and makes lists by hwy.

Depending on the time of day we get away, Seattle traffic etc. here are a few from a long list that we use:

WA
Exit 232, Camping World; Exit 200, Cabelas, Walmart, Home Depot or Tulalip Casino (sometimes a lot of large RV's running generators) Exit 111, Cabelas, really good and private; Exit 11, last WA rest stop, (if too late to go through Portland, use car entrance and follow the loop to the back, away from the hwy. and quiet)

Oregon
Exit 282, French Prairie Rest Stop, ( as good as it gets, 3 parking lots each one further away from the hwy., go to 3rd one ) Exit 194B, Eugene, a shopping center with RV parking by the river. 2 nights free and patrolled, very nice ) Exit 45B, Valley of the Rogue State Park. We like it because it puts us within easy striking distance of Siskiyou.

So there's lot's of options depending on how traffic and weather treat you.

In about 10 days we'll be hitting up some of those spots.

Ron

[sunrisetrucker]

Originally Posted by Lynn L

It was suggested that Tulalip casino for our first night would be a good choice. From there we prefer to only travel about 5 hrs a day.

We've stayed at Tulalip a number of times. Try to get the RV spots directly behind the casino, they tend to be the quietest spot. The far northwest corner is where lots of RV'S go but it can be party central at times, not always but sometimes.
Be sure to go to their breakfast buffet it's really good

[Lynn L]

Sunrisetrucker, you had my husband at “Breakfast Buffet”

So I’ve read that the “Bloom” in Anza Borrego is quite spectacular? Would we catch it if we visited the second week of March? When would we need to “get out of Dodge” in order to avoid spring break?

[caddoster]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

If you are describing cell coverage, my last visit (late October, 2017) I had no Verizon, usable (with an amplifier) -94dBm AT&T, and, surprisingly, free park provided WiFi at my site. The WiFi was intermittent.

I've found that at Red Rock Canyon if you can see the road (395) you get reasonably good AT&T signals, we didn't use any sort of booster.

when we were there we were usually in the 10s site tho.. (11 last time I think) the downside is in the dark you see (to the north) the cars headlight coming down on 395...

[CADreamin]

We had been told by many RVers that Seven Feathers Resort and Casino (exit 99 in Canyonville, OR) was THE place to stay. We resisted for some time (too commercial); however, stayed there in the Fall of 2016. Wow ... what a beautiful resort. Low-key, beautiful spots, lots of trees, etc. The staff is friendly, the grounds are immaculate (walking the dogs is a true pleasure) and the amenities are really nice. They have an indoor pool, shuffleboards, playgrounds, etc., PLUS there is a shuttle you call and it picks you up at your campsite to take you over to the casino (you can walk there as well). We don't gamble but had a terrific dinner and enjoyed just walking around. Now, we make a point of staying there a few days when heading north (or south) into Oregon. Also want to make a 'plug' for Durango RV Resort just south of Redding. Nice facilities and close (walking distance) to eateries. Plus, on a nice day, you can walk into Red Bluff which has that "Old West" feeling (nice shops and fun places to eat).

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by CADreamin

We had been told by many RVers that Seven Feathers Resort and Casino (exit 99 in Canyonville, OR) was THE place to stay. We resisted for some time (too commercial); however, stayed there in the Fall of 2016. Wow ... what a beautiful resort. Low-key, beautiful spots, lots of trees, etc. The staff is friendly, the grounds are immaculate (walking the dogs is a true pleasure) and the amenities are really nice. They have an indoor pool, shuffleboards, playgrounds, etc., PLUS there is a shuttle you call and it picks you up at your campsite to take you over to the casino (you can walk there as well). We don't gamble but had a terrific dinner and enjoyed just walking around. Now, we make a point of staying there a few days when heading north (or south) into Oregon. Also want to make a 'plug' for Durango RV Resort just south of Redding. Nice facilities and close (walking distance) to eateries. Plus, on a nice day, you can walk into Red Bluff which has that "Old West" feeling (nice shops and fun places to eat).

Another vote for Seven Feathers Resort . Always stay on our way up to Washington . They are so nice In fact once when we needed the pipe cleaners for our refrigerator to clean the burner ,they took us into town on their cart to a Smoke Shop to get them . Clean , nice price .
We find casino's are great for staying . Pat

[MyronL]

Late next week we'll be in San Diego for several days then plan to drive north to Venice Beach to visit relatives for a couple days. Am hoping to dehitch somewhere just south or southeast of Venice Beach. I called Huntington by the Sea RV off the Pacific Coast Hwy and got their answering machine, then sent them an email, requesting availability news. 10 days later, still no response. What's up with that? Yes, their website seems active, and yes I found out they changed their name to the Waterfront RV Park.

Need alternatives but my searches seem inpenetrable. Very irritating.

[Casper]

Hi Lynn,

I’ve been in Borrego since mid Dec. It’s been very dry here this winter with only one day of rain. The bloom might not be as good as last years. Still - it’s a great place to visit. Lots of great hiking, etc.

Alisa

Originally Posted by Lynn L

So I’ve read that the “Bloom” in Anza Borrego is quite spectacular? Would we catch it if we visited the second week of March? When would we need to “get out of Dodge” in order to avoid spring break?

[NellieFlower]

When traveling thru California we are often trying to make miles enroute to a specific destination like daughter’s place in AZ or us home in Oregon. We discovered California Parks have something called “Enroute Camping”. Google CA State Parks for a list of parks offering this option. For $15 you can stay overnight, dry camp, in a designated area. You have to be on the the road by 9 the following morning. Works great, economical if you are just making “tracks” across the state and want a secure place to stay.

[Rossue]

We found one at Colusa-Sacramento State Rec Area. Takes you 10 minutes to get there from I-5, but then your not camping on the I-5. Wish more had them and beware, while some may be listed as such(like Montana De Oro), the local Rangers may tell you that's not the case.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by NellieFlower

We discovered California Parks have something called “Enroute Camping”. Google CA State Parks for a list of parks offering this option. For $15 you can stay overnight, dry camp, in a designated area. You have to be on the the road by 9 the following morning. Works great, economical if you are just making “tracks” across the state and want a secure place to stay.

Wow, how did I not know that? Suits us to a tee for our style of making tracks. Thanks for posting.

Ron

[Tin]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Late next week we'll be in San Diego for several days then plan to drive north to Venice Beach to visit relatives for a couple days. Am hoping to dehitch somewhere just south or southeast of Venice Beach. I called Huntington by the Sea RV off the Pacific Coast Hwy and got their answering machine, then sent them an email, requesting availability news. 10 days later, still no response. What's up with that? Yes, their website seems active, and yes I found out they changed their name to the Waterfront RV Park.

Need alternatives but my searches seem inpenetrable. Very irritating.

Hi, Myron
If you want to stay on the beach you could try Bolsa Chica State Beach RV Camping or Dockweiler RV Park. If I were visiting Venice beach and needed a reservable camping site check out Malibu Creek State Park/Campground there are plenty of reservable sites right now.
Happy Camping and good luck
Tin
Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek SP

https://www.reservecalifornia.com/Ca...nceSearch.aspx

http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/614/fi...ampMap2017.pdf

https://www.campsitephotos.com/campg...state-park-001

[MyronL]

Man, I needed that! Thank you, Tin. I will be checking those links.

[KirkB]

Myron, if you are looking as far as Malibu, you can get E/W hookups for as low as $40 overlooking the beach. Not a state park, about the same cost.


https://www.maliburv.com/

[reetired]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

have you been there lately? since granny Harris was run off by her sons I've heard it has gone quite far downhill.

The smell alone could wake the dead. Liquid manure oh yeah!

[P&L]

Originally Posted by KirkB

Myron, if you are looking as far as Malibu, you can get E/W hookups for as low as $40 overlooking the beach. Not a state park, about the same cost.

We stayed here last year and the views were gorgeous high on the hill. Wondering if it made it through the fires/mudslides. Also, if you have time to tour, we loved the JP Getty Villa and his magnificent art collection. (You will have to make reservations, although there is no charge except for parking.)

[Tin]

Originally Posted by P&L

We stayed here last year and the views were gorgeous high on the hill. Wondering if it made it through the fires/mudslides. Also, if you have time to tour, we loved the JP Getty Villa and his magnificent art collection. (You will have to make reservations, although there is no charge except for parking.)

Hi P&L
The main fires and mud slides are much further north in Venture and Santa Barbara counties.

Myron, If you can get one of the $40 sites that would be great, We have never stayed here but it looks nice. good luck.