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08-05-2011, 11:00 AM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
2005 16' International CCD
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 356
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30-day west coast trip. must see?
I am planning a 4-week road trip up the west coast from san diego to vancouver between 8/22 - 9/16. i'm planning it out right now and would love to hear from those who have traveled this route where you suggest staying, site-seeing, and any other tidbits you can share that would be helpful on this journey. it will be me, my pup and the airstream. that's it! super excited but very nervous, too. this will be the first real trip i've taken in the airstream.
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08-05-2011, 12:07 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 19' Safari SE
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,627
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Sounds exciting! Who wouldn't be just a little nervous? Bit it will be great.
We'll be interested to hear what folks have to say as well ... a trip up the Pacific Coast Highway is on our list of "must dos"... maybe next summer.
__________________
TB & Greg and Abbey Schnauzer
AirForums #21900
PastPrez, 4CU/WBCCI
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08-05-2011, 12:21 PM
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#3
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1953 Flying Cloud
1953 21' Flying Cloud
West Sacramento
, California
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,034
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There is so much to do and see up and down the coast. Are you going to travel up HWY 1 or Fwy 5. Knowing this will help people know what to tell you about. Have fun and travel safe.
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08-05-2011, 12:32 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1973 23' Safari
1977 23' Safari
2018 25' Flying Cloud
Palmer Lake
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,092
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Nice blog, Kyle.
You ask a lot, buddy. There are at least a jillion nifty places, so here's my input on a few of them.
1. Elephant seals just below Hearst's Castle on Highway 1. Despite the sign that says "no camping," the CA Highway Patrol says you can stay overnight in any CA rest stop, as long as you don't start unloading "making camp."
2. Nepenthe (great bar, restaurant south of Big Sur)
3. Wine country
4. Nick's Cove on Tomales Bay--best Bloody Mary ever
5. Redwood NP
6. Bandon Beach--plan to say a day and walk the beach at low tide
7. Sunset Bay and the Oregon State RV park there. Combine with 6 above. Go to the gardens in Shore Acres State Park and then go to the SW corner of the gardens, through the gate, and down the hill to the cove. You will see something that rivals any natural area in the world. One hint about the coast highway north of Coos Bay--do not drive it unless you are happy going 25 mph, which seems to be the top speed of most of the drivers in the area. I generally arrive from the south along the coast on Highway 1, then cut over to Interstate 5 from Coos Bay to go north.
8. Crater Lake
9. Kalaloch. If you're a photographer, this small creek has a wonderful aspect and changes every season as the storms pile up the sand and drift logs. Just being on the coast of the Olympic Peninsula is a gift in and of itself.
10. Port Townsend. It's just a great little town, right on the water. Get reservations at the Port Hudson RV park. It's just grass, but it's right on the water. Walk over to Pygmy Boats and test paddle their kayaks in the harbor.
Red Dots: I don't know what your route plan is, but if you have the chance, drive over the top of Yosemite on route 120--you don't even have to go in the park and you can look down into the valley and see Half Dome, etc. It's a great drive and it dumps you out at Mono Lake. Go north on 395 and unhitch the trailer for a day in order to drive the rough road to Bodie, a terrific ghost town. From there I'd take 395 south to Owens Lake and gaze at the Sierras all the way. If you like odd places, head east towards Death Valley from Lone Pine and take a detour to Darwin, not quite a ghost town, but so damn hot everyone lives underground. Then on to Death Valley, Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Kayenta and Monument Valley, etc...
Zep
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08-05-2011, 12:59 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1960 22' Safari
in the wilderness
, The great Mojave Desert
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,077
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Punch up Littlerock, Ca 93543 and if it's on your way we can dock you for a night.
Shoot a PM if you are stopping in.
__________________
I'd rather be boon docking in the desert.
WBCCI 3344 FCU
AIR# 13896
CA 4
Yes, we have courtesy parking for you. About an hour North of Los Angeles.
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08-05-2011, 01:18 PM
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#6
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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P.C.H. >>>> Pacific Coast Highway slow and steady, it's a great ride.
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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08-05-2011, 02:35 PM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
2005 16' International CCD
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 356
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1953 Flying
There is so much to do and see up and down the coast. Are you going to travel up HWY 1 or Fwy 5. Knowing this will help people know what to tell you about. Have fun and travel safe.
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I want to stay on Hwy 1, if I can. But I am open to suggestions...
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08-06-2011, 06:31 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1960 33' Custom
Athens
, Georgia
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,373
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We're doing something similar but just starting off North to South. I like your suggestions Zep. :-)
__________________
1960 Sovereign 33' Pacific Railroad Custom
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08-06-2011, 06:56 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1972 25' Tradewind
North Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,421
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I did the trip by bicycle several years ago and loved just about everything about the whole route. When I did the trip, I had no set agenda of what to see and I'm glad because there is much to see that you discover while en route and planning for seeing everything is difficult. I found it much more enjoyable to take it as it came. If I found a place I enjoyed, I stopped for a few days to explore. Sometimes that led to discovering nearby places of interest that would cause little side trips.
__________________
Cameron & the Labradors, Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! - Mame Dennis
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08-06-2011, 07:01 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1965 17' Caravel
1983 27' Excella
Walnut Grove/Laguna Woods
, California
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
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Quote:
Originally Posted by truckasaurus
We're doing something similar but just starting off North to South. I like your suggestions Zep. :-)
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North to south makes a much nicer trip as the pull outs along the coast will be on your right. Much easier than crossing traffic. You will want to pull off the highway often, especially along the Oregon coast.
We travel down the Oregon coast every year from Astoria to Crescent City, CA. We will be making that trip, leaving Astoria, on August 30th. This is one of our favorite rides. Don't miss a good burger and home made pie at the Port Hole just south of the bridge in Gold Beach, OR, or fish and chips at the Chart Room out on the jetty in Crescent City, CA.
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08-06-2011, 11:06 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2005 19' Safari
1968 24' Tradewind
Rural
, Delaware
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,476
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If you need a nice stop along the Pacific Coast Highway, I'd suggest the Malibu Beach RV Park.
Malibu Beach RV Park | RV Campground | Malibu | California
Here are some pictures I took from the campground.
__________________
2005 Bambi
1968 Trade Wind
2007 Ford F250 4x4 Crew
WDCU
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08-06-2011, 11:18 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1965 17' Caravel
1983 27' Excella
Walnut Grove/Laguna Woods
, California
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
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Another nice place to stay is Pismo Coast Village in Pismo Beach, CA. You can walk over the sand dune and along the beach into town. Several good places to eat, and not expensive.
If the wind is blowing, you can watch the kite surfers "getting air" down the beach. They're only a little bit nuts.
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08-07-2011, 08:25 AM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2017 25' International
BEND
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 22
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Places to stay, Oregon
I've never offered this before but I own a place on hwy 101, ocean side in a beautiful spot near Yachats Oregon. It has easy access and parking for an AS with private steps to a wonderful agate strewn beach whose public access is a mile away. This is not a camping site but a place to unhook and look at the sites in the area and there are many! (Cape Perpetua, Sea lion caves, Oregon Dunes N rec area, etc) all for a bottle of white wine expense. PM me if interested.
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08-07-2011, 08:32 AM
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#14
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adwriter73
I want to stay on Hwy 1, if I can. But I am open to suggestions...
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Honestly, I'd stay off 1 with the trailer. You can camp and take day trips on 1, but there are spots I wouldn't want to have anything but a car. Besides, you will want to be looking, not driving, and having to pay attention to the trailer will take away from your "gape time".
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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08-07-2011, 08:45 AM
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#15
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4 Rivet Member
2005 16' International CCD
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 356
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
Honestly, I'd stay off 1 with the trailer. You can camp and take day trips on 1, but there are spots I wouldn't want to have anything but a car. Besides, you will want to be looking, not driving, and having to pay attention to the trailer will take away from your "gape time".
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you think so? i was wondering about that. and i have a big trailer. where in particular should is it really tricky with a trailer.
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08-07-2011, 09:18 AM
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#16
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3 Rivet Member
2011 23' FB International
1975 Argosy 30
Santa Barbara
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 155
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeppelinium
Despite the sign that says "no camping," the CA Highway Patrol says you can stay overnight in any CA rest stop, as long as you don't start unloading "making camp."
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Mhh, where do you get this from? My sense is that you'll be kicked out no matter how you behave. As far as I recall, most of the parking areas also specify no overnight parking or closed sunset-to-sunrise or equivalent.
Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
Honestly, I'd stay off 1 with the trailer. You can camp and take day trips on 1, but there are spots I wouldn't want to have anything but a car. Besides, you will want to be looking, not driving, and having to pay attention to the trailer will take away from your "gape time".
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Given that adwriter73 seems to have a 31' trailer, I'd second this for some sections of PCH. In particular the Big Sur part is iffy. Where the road tends to slide the pavement often has quite some waves and you can easily bottom out in a 31' . Also, where to road winds down into a cove and then back out the curves often have no visibility and the lane isn't wide enough for such a long rig, so you have to swing out half way into the opposing lane. I've gone there in a 23' which was fine, but then I'm also used to pulling that up&down any mountain road. So if you're the adventurous type that goes anywhere with your 31' then go slow and have fun, but if you're used to the flat and highways don't go there...
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08-07-2011, 10:20 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1973 23' Safari
1977 23' Safari
2018 25' Flying Cloud
Palmer Lake
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,092
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I talked directly of a CHP officer about staying at rest stops. The only place I've been chased out of at night in CA was a known [to locals] make-out spot. That made sense. As part of that discussion, the officer said that the signs were there to make it easy for the CHP to "evict" campers/RVs that were abusing the location.This was just from one officer, but seemed reliable and has proven correct on several occasions. I guess there are no guarantees.
As for taking a 31' on Route 1 in CA south of Monterey--I think the rewards are well worth the trouble. Go slow, be nice, have a great time.
Zep
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08-07-2011, 10:50 AM
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#18
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4 Rivet Member
2005 16' International CCD
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 356
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tvoneicken
Mhh, where do you get this from? My sense is that you'll be kicked out no matter how you behave. As far as I recall, most of the parking areas also specify no overnight parking or closed sunset-to-sunrise or equivalent.
Given that adwriter73 seems to have a 31' trailer, I'd second this for some sections of PCH. In particular the Big Sur part is iffy. Where the road tends to slide the pavement often has quite some waves and you can easily bottom out in a 31' . Also, where to road winds down into a cove and then back out the curves often have no visibility and the lane isn't wide enough for such a long rig, so you have to swing out half way into the opposing lane. I've gone there in a 23' which was fine, but then I'm also used to pulling that up&down any mountain road. So if you're the adventurous type that goes anywhere with your 31' then go slow and have fun, but if you're used to the flat and highways don't go there...
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Good advice. I break out into a nervous sweat just driving in traffic with this thing. Don't need to be stuck hanging off a cliff. : )
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08-07-2011, 01:02 PM
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#19
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Islander
2005 28' International CCD
Deer Harbor
, ORCAS ISLAND WA
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 981
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don't miss PCH
I went through this discussion last year and i finally dedided to go and just slow down. Do not miss the thrill and scenic beauty of pulling your airstream down or up this great stretch of highway. We jumped on Hwy 1 at Leggett down and to Fort Bragg where we stayed at the harbor rv park and the view was great. From there it is onto Bodega Bay...overlooking the bay with a view of "the birds", then thru san franscisco and across the bridge and a stay at half moon bay, again right on the oean.
San Simeon, Cambria, Morrow Bay, the county park at Lompoc and lake casitias are all beautiful spots not to be missed. we too stopped at the rv park in malibu and it was great.
we can't waith to make the trip again this winter.
we are currently finishing up our tour up the oregon coast and are now inland at mcminneville and tomorrow we head for sauvie island before venturing up the washington coast....
__________________
Kingfisher24
and the Four P's(Paula, Phoenix and Peabody II and Pearl)…Peabody is here…..
2013 GMC sierra denali
WBCCI 2541
4CU
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08-07-2011, 04:20 PM
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#20
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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The PHC is no worse a driving experience than any of the THE hi-ways (5,405,10 etc) in California.....70 or 10mph over a washboard, twenty feet in front of and behind a very stressed out fellow traveller.
Had no problems at all with the Classic last year or the Safari 20yrs ago.
Slow and steady...it's a trip that shouldn't be missed.
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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