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Trip Report - aka the Great SoCal Adventure
Short report ......
After 3500 miles, three weeks, two kids and two cats all made it home safe and sound.  And still liking each other.  

Long report
Left Portland Monday afternoon temperatures in the low 80's heading down I-5 with final destination of La Mesa Ca.    The plan was a three day drive the length of the great state of California.    First stop was a Escapees RV park in Sutherlin Or (Timber Valley SKP Park of Oregon, Inc | A Private Membership RV Community of...). Got a full hookup site for the night.   Next morning drove to Olive Pit (Olive Pit - Gourmet Olives, Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Wine and Craft Beer) in  Corning, CA.  Arrived  for the night temps where hitting just under 95.   Next part of the drive called for a jump to Bakersfield. The goal was a Walmart parking lot.  Nearby is a Cosco, In N Out, and a Starbucks.  Temperature was 105 dropping to 80 at night.  Got an early morning start heading to San Diego RV Park (San Diego RV Resort | Your favorite RV Parks in San Diego).  Very fun drive thru weekday LA traffic.  Have to admit there is nothing like six lanes of bumper to bumper joy.   Made it to La Masa with temps in the 80’s. Got to love that San Diego ocean weather.  Kids loved the Zoo.  We used the local bus system to get around the city.
After a rest day we headed up to Northridge Ca.  As luck would have it LA was in a cooling period - temps toped at 90 or so.  Had a good site a Walnut Park RV(Walnut Rv Park - Rv Camp Sites, Recreational Vehicle Park Site, Caravan Park).  Used a rental car for the Universal Studio fun.  Personally I’m really over the 3D throw rides but the DW and grandkids loved em.  After two days and another day of rest headed up 101 to  Cachuma Lake (https://www.countyofsb.org/parks/cachuma-camping.sbc).  This stop was to unwind and slow down.  Was a nice site but we we were nickeled  and dimed for anything beyond the RV site.  The fire  over the pass touched the conner of the park.  We lucked out as the wind blew all the smoke and ash away from the park before we got there. 
After two days we headed to Monterey.   Spend the two nights in Monterey Fairground RV (Monterey County Fairgrounds) total parking $70.  Yup thats $45 a night for a blacktop nearly abled to fit a 24 ft LD into spot.   This place is not on my ‘going to be back list’.   Enjoyed the Monterey Bay Aquarium  (https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/).  In fact spend the whole day there. 
Next stop Willits, Ca. Scored a nice 30 amp site - very cheap.   Temps hit 112 outside.   Yes that hot. (http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/california/willits/sleepy-hollow-rv-park)
Next morning we planned to bounce up the Oregon coast till we found a open site.  I should of known better.   With record temps hitting the valley all the local folks headed to the coast.  After driving into three and passing four or more no vacancy signs on the road we found a very small and really unknown site in Curry Country.  Boice Cope Park (http://www.co.curry.or.us/Departments/Parks/Boice-Cope-Park) - I can’t tell you what a great little RV site this is.  Next morning we had little hope of finding another site on the coast but for some reason as I was driving I spotted a sign with a vacancy - yup someone just canceled a great spot at the Umpqua Lighthouse State Park (http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=83).   And temps were in the 60’s just like I love them.

Well that was the last night on the road as we headed home safe and happy for the great trip.  Will I do that again - I told the kids before we left that will be the last time I do any city camping and amusement parks.  Next time will only be national parks, country and back country.

glen
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: Trip Report - aka the Great SoCal Adventure
Reply #1 –
"Boice Cope Park (Boice Cope Park) - I can't tell you what a great little RV site this is."
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Yes, it is, and it was a 'secret'!  ;)
2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: Trip Report - aka the Great SoCal Adventure
Reply #2 –
Sounds like a nice trip overall, Glen!  :)

If you ever do make a similar trip, bypass Bakersfield and go up the 58 and overnight in Tehachapi where temps are 15 to 20 degrees cooler.  You can then drop down to the 395 to 15 to San Diego.  There's traffic in the Riverside area but nothing like LA traffic.

Glad you made it home safely!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264