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Topic: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast (Read 9 times) previous topic - next topic
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Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Yahoo Message Number: 129449
I'm taking my 21 ft class C on a trip up the coast from Santa Cruz area to WA. Not sure of the route back to southern CA yet...I-5' 99, or 395?. Planning on leaving Sep 1st. I'm looking for blogs of those that have taken that trip. Blogs that list where they camped, things they did, etc.  If you know of any, could you please send me the link/s?

Patty
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129454
Quote
I'm taking my 21 ft class C on a trip up the coast from Santa Cruz area to WA... I'm looking for blogs of those that have taken that trip. > Patty
Patty
 I don't know of any "Blogs" specific to that area but you'll find numerous postings on this forum's archives for venues encompassed in that distance.
 If you like German food you'll enjoy "The Honeybear" campground just north of Gold Beach, OR. The owner is German and serves German cuisine in the dinning room right in the campground. That's followed up with a comedy routine and Ompa music.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129458
Why not take the '101 up the coast? You can take that (if I recall) all the way up to Canada and much of the way is nice ocean views.
When you pass-through Newport, OR please wave to my mother! (:-)

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129459
Patty, Trinh and I have been along that way, and if you'll call me at Jojoba 4916 I'll be happy to tell you what I know (limited, but perhaps still of value to you).  Moreover, lots of folks here that you know have experience between Washington State and SoCal, so you should be able to get lots of info here.
 Of course, there are also a lot of folks on the LifeWithALazyDaze site that can tell you lots about the area.  I'm sure you'll get lots of info.

Larry

Lawrence D. Latham 45120 Highway 79, #916 Aguanga, CA  92536-9706 951-234-4253
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129461
Not that I know of, Dale.  (But my middle name is Dale!!)  Small world, eh?

Larry

Lawrence D. Latham 45120 Highway 79, #916 Aguanga, CA  92536-9706 951-234-4253

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129464
Steve,
 Thanks for the recommendation for The Honeybear campground. I read about it and it sounds like a place I would enjoy.
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129465
Rick, one of my 1st stops will be Pinnacles National Monument, then will be cutting west to to the coast around Santa Cruz. Will wave to your mom. :-) Patty
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129467
Hi Larry,
 I know a lot of members at Jojoba Hills have taken this route and I'll have to start picking their brains for suggestions. I just didn't want to be a pain, plus I thought it would be a lot of work or take a lot of time to share all that info. I never seem to have a map or pencil and paper ready when talking to people about the trip  That's why I'm looking for blogs with all that info, I don't have to impose on anyone's time that way.

Thanks for the offer! Patty
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129468
Quote
"...one of my 1st stops will be Pinnacles National Monument..."

Patty
Patty
 I don't know if you are aware but if you approach Pinnacles from the west [near Soledad] there is no longer over-night camping on the west side. If you want to camp you need to approach from the east [Hollister] side. There's a nice campground there where I've stayed many times.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129470
Patty,
 I don't consider Santa Cruz to be Southern California so I assume you're going to end somewhere down south more toward LA.
 If you have the time my suggestion would be to hug the coast all the way to Olympic National Park. That would be Hwy 1 to SF and then Hwy 1 on up through Ft. Bragg to where it joins 101, then 101 the rest of the way, to Port Townsend, WA. Then take the Port Townsend ferry over to Hwy 20 and follow it across the Cascades (through spectacular North Cascades NP) to Hwy 395 and then take 395 all the way back to SoCal.
 You'd have the coast on the way up and the under-appreciated mountains and deserts of eastern WA, OR, CA and a bit of NV on your way back. The coast gets a lot of acclaim, for good reason, but i'm guessing by the time you were done you'd find the 395 portion of the trip more interesting.
 The one problem with all this is weather. Depending on what it decides to do the trip down 395 could find you
Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129472
On Mar 27, 2012, at 6:14 PM, donathan_patty wrote:

Quote
Rick, one of my 1st stops will be Pinnacles National Monument, then will be cutting west to to the coast around Santa Cruz. Will wave to your mom. :-)
Patty, I hope you will be able to visit Pinnacles before the end of April.  Actually, the best time to visit this (drought) year (if you love wildflowers) is right now.  By May, the hills have turned brown and wildflowers have gone to seed.  If you're going to hike and look for California Condors after April, do be sure to take lots and lots of water.  Hiking then can be hot and strenuous; now is perfect.
 You'll find some photographs of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk on my February 20, 2012 blog post and a few Pinnacles photos on the April 8, 2010 blog post: http://uppity-woman.blogspot.com/

I have family in Washington and have driven Highways 1, 101, 5, and 395 dozens of times.  Unfortunately, finding photographs or commentary of those travels on my blog is next to impossible unless you have *lots* and *lots* of time to sift through non-descriptive titles.  So sorry.  In short though, you will find much beauty and adventure along *any* of those roads, but especially if you travel along the coast through the redwoods, along Oregon's magnificent beaches and through Washington's untamed Olympic Peninsula.
 I might suggest that you visit a local bookstore and buy one of the several Scenic Byways books, but you can also find a treasure trove of information by visiting: http://www.rollinghomes.com/ This is Mike and Terri Church's website where you can not only purchase one of their fabulously detailed travel guides, http://www.rollinghomes.com/Northwest%20Book.htm for example, but also visit their blogs, especially the current entries (July through October, 2011) when they traveled in Washington and the Oregon Coast.  These folks have written traveling companions that many, many of us Lazy Dazers would not leave home without!
 And, did you know that Redwood National Park is a World Heritage Site?  It's located in Humboldt County... http://www.redwood.national-park.com/
 I know you will have a wonderful adventure so long as you take your time!

Lorna http://uppity-woman.blogspot.com/

2003 RB
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129476
Quote
I'm taking my 21 ft class C on a trip up the coast from Santa Cruz area to WA. Not sure of the route back to southern CA yet...I-5' 99, or 395?. Planning on leaving Sep 1st. I'm looking for blogs of those that have taken that trip. Blogs that list where they camped, things they did, etc.  If you know of any, could you please send me the link/s?
We spent two months in Oregon & Washington in Sept-Oct of 2010.  I posted about twenty blog entries about our travels.  They start here:
 http://www.hounsjournal.blogspot.com/2010/09/were-off-again-oregon-washington-days-1.html

or use this "tinyurl:"  http://tinyurl.com/84n7jnm
 Blogspot posts in reverse order (newest first) so start with the above entry and work your way UP the post list in the left column, both Sept & Oct.  This was a great trip, with many surprises and places we found on the recommendation of others in this forum.  It includes one of the 5 best meals we ever had in our lives.  In Walla Walla?  Oh, yes.  Find it here, with photos:  http://tinyurl.com/6pmkq8v

Enjoy!  -- Jon & Loni ('06TK "Albatross")
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129478
wrote: We spent two months in Oregon & Washington in Sept-Oct of 2010.  I posted about twenty blog entries about our travels.  They start here: http://www.hounsjournal.blogspot.com/2010/09/were-off-again-oregon-washington-days-1.html

or use this "tinyurl:"  http://tinyurl.com/84n7jnm --- Jon's blogs are excellent; no mundane "wewentherewedidthis" content or commentary, and good photos, too!
 I also suggest getting a copy of Mike and Terri Church's "Pacific Northwest Camping Destinations"; the new (3rd) edition is available from Amazon:
 http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Northwest-Camping-Destinations-Washington/dp/0982310129/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332959795&sr=8-1

And, a helpful road travel planning website is Mile by Mile:

http://www.milebymile.com/

Joan
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129485
Hi Steve,
 Yes, I know there is no camping on the West side. I've read some reviews about the campground both bad and good ones. Entering Pinnacles from the east side won't be as convenient as the west side. I'm still trying to decide if I'll just go there for the day, or spend the night in the campground. For hiking/walking purposes, which side has the easiest trails, east from campground or west day use area? Patty

..one of my 1st stops will be Pinnacles National Monument..."
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129486
Quote
Hi Steve,
 Entering Pinnacles from the east side won't be as convenient as the west side... For hiking/walking purposes, which side has the easiest trails, east from campground or west day use area?"

Patty
Patty
 In answer to the last question, I'd say the east side. Pinnacles essentially is a north/south ridge-line. The west side is rocky and dry. The east side, at lower elevations, is riparian habitat with a nice creek (in season) and lots of Acorn Woodpeckers, quail, wild turkey, deer and wild hogs. From the visitors center you can hike most any where. If your choice is up make sure you have good hiking shoes and plenty of water. The Balconies is a major destination. At lower elevations there are the "Caves". Actually a pile of fallen boulders which you duck into, over, under and around. A flashlight may be handy. Keep your eye open for snakes. I was climbing a steep trail and came nose to nose with a huge Gopher Snake. He tried to convince me he was a rattler but I knew better.
 As for access, coming from the south look for State Route 198 out of San Lucas. Take it east and it will connect to SR25 (Peachtree Rd.) where you turn north. In a short distance it's name will become Airline Highway. From the Jct of 198/25 to the entry road for Pinnacles is roughly 33 miles. Turn left from SR25 onto SR146 and it will lead you right to the campground. Leaving there retrace 146 north to Hollister.
 If you should decide not to go to the east side there is a VERY nice place to stay over in King City. It's one of the Monterey County parks, called San Lorenzo. It features an excellent agricultural museum and an RV park with a choice of full hookups or less to none. There's a Safeway store in town.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129487
One interesting thing about Pinnacles is that the rock is a volcanic eruption from about 23.5 million years ago.
 The eruption sits exactly astride the San Andreas fault.  You are looking at the west half. The other half of the volcanic rocks are a couple hundred miles south.

So roughly speaking the fault goes about ten miles
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129488
Quote
"The eruption sits exactly astride the San Andreas fault.  You are looking at the west half."
John

And if you travel just a bit farther north to San Juan Bautista you'll be able to see for yourself the effects of that fault. There is a rodeo ground next to the Mission Church which is inclined, a natural slope for bleacher seats, but not man made. The handrail that goes down that slope has a decided curve to it just above where the fault lies.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129489
Terry, you're right, I'm actually starting this trip from Aguanga, between L.A and S.D.
 I copied all your suggestions into the notes section of my iPad. You had some great ideas, exactly the kind of info I'm looking for.

Thanks again, Patty
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129490
Lorna, I won't be able to visit Pinnacles in April or May. Not leaving till end of Aug or beginning of Sep. Maybe I'll go back in those months another year.
 I have some of Terry Church''s books, but will see if they have any I don't have yet.

Thanks for the links. You have some great photos on your blog.
Patty
 --- In lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com, Lorna Dunham  wrote
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129491
Wow, I just spent hours reading hounsjournal blog. Loved it...funny, informative and interesting. Great photos too!
 This group is so helpful. I now have a good selection of blogs to refer to when planning my trip.

Thank you, Patty
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129492
Hi Jon and Loni,
 I sure enjoyed your blog. Will be using it for reference on my trip. Loved the writing, photos and information!

Patty
Re: Looking for RV blogs about traveling the west coast
Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129502
Jon & Loni ('06TK "Albatross") That was a real treat to see in beautiful pictures all the places we love visit. The writing is interesting, informative and very entertaining.
Thanks for a very pleasant experience! Steve