Bay Area Recommendations

[cactusjk]

We are very new to Airstreaming and need advice on short trips/camping spots to take our FC 23. We live in Livermore and are looking for cooler areas that are easy to get to and not too crowded for beginners.

[kscherzi]

Obviously the coast is cooler, but camping near the Bay Area pretty much demands advance reservations. There's an RV park in Olema. Or you can try camping in Bodega Bay. There's several options, the State Park and County Parks. Up into the Sierra's there's camping galore now that most of the snow is gone, but the drive is further.

Thing is, Livermore isn't really a short drive to anyplace that's cool.

[cactusjk]

I think we will start with Anthony Chabot Park. Looks easy enough.

[cactusjk]

Olema also looks good. Any other recommendations?

[kscherzi]

I think Anthony Chabot is a good choice for a close trip. Never camped there but heard good things about the place. Other recommendations depends upon your preferred style of camping. If you prefer the RV park camping with hookups then there's a place near Half Moon Bay that's had good reviews, but you'd have to drive through the Bay Area to get there. I've not been there for that reason. A little further away at Laguna Seca raceway near Monterey is a nice park with hookups. Ask for a spot with the valley view. It's on the far side of a rise so the racetrack, if being used, isn't too loud. You can always walk over the hill and watch.

My preference are forest service and state parks for the most part. Look up Calaveras Big Trees. Certainly a longer drive as it's in the mountains but nearby to the town of Murphy's which has great restaurants and shopping. Plus many nearby wineries if that's your thing too.

For more ideas Google the Compendium website.

[SteveH]

This is not a recommendation, but a warning....we stayed a couple of days at Coyote Valley RV Resort just off 101 South of San Jose, and the spaces were very tight, they had no overflow parking because it was all RENTED OUT BY THE MONTH, and the staff was not only unfriendly, they were down right "snooty".

But, at least it was expensive.

[cactusjk]

Good recommendations. Glad to hear that Chabot might be a good place to start!

[cactusjk]

Any good military parks?

[cactusjk]

We checked out Chabot today and although it is nice it did not look dog friendly due to all the foxtails! Back to square one.

[Longboard6]

We just missed the Military Campground in Monterey a month ago. Google error. Look in Military Campgrounds. Gets good reviews. Called Monterey Pines RV park. Voltage may be weak. Bring a voltage regulator. Must drive thru golf course to get to RV park. We are trying Chabot at end of July.

[cactusjk]

Heard good things about the Monterey Park other than dents from golf balls! Chabot was nice but we were concerned the dogs would have problems with the foxtails.

Originally Posted by Longboard6

We just missed the Military Campground in Monterey a month ago. Google error. Look in Military Campgrounds. Gets good reviews. Called Monterey Pines RV park. Voltage may be weak. Bring a voltage regulator. Must drive thru golf course to get to RV park. We are trying Chabot at end of July.

[cactusjk]

Are there any good spots in Napa, St Helena, Sonoma, etc? Maybe wineries?

[mykabyka]

If you're okay with narrow, really curvy roads, Big Basin State Park is great. Haven't camped there, so I can't say anything about the campground; it's probably booked all summer. The park itself is beautiful.

One park we've often tent-camped at is Mt. Madonna County Park. Some sites have hookups.

New Brighton State Beach has a really nice campground with some hook-ups. There's traffic noise as it's beside highway one, but the sound of waves crashing on the beach below the campsites masks that at night.

[kscherzi]

In Calestoga. Though fairgrounds don't under rate this place. Hookups and easy access to town. Get a site on the perimeter. Under the trees. Avoid the center on the area. Stayed there twice. Will go back.

http://www.calistogarvpark.org/

[cactusjk]

Calistoga Park sounds great. Which sites are closest to the trees?

Originally Posted by kscherzi

In Calestoga. Though fairgrounds don't under rate this place. Hookups and easy access to town. Get a site on the perimeter. Under the trees. Avoid the center on the area. Stayed there twice. Will go back.

http://www.calistogarvpark.org/

[kscherzi]

Basically all the back in sites are under the trees. The pull through sites are in the middle of the area with few trees and shade. Take your golf clubs, the municipal course is at the same spot.

[kscherzi]

I forgot to mention there's a huge grassy area where campers run their dogs. But if there an event using that space it's a short walk to a designated dog park.

[cactusjk]

Thanks for the great information!

Originally Posted by kscherzi

I forgot to mention there's a huge grassy area where campers run their dogs. But if there an event using that space it's a short walk to a designated dog park.

[Cowbell]

I love to go camping close to home (Santa Cruz) when I have time. As suggested before, the Fairgrounds in Calistoga is excellent. A five minute walk in to town! Olema Campground is also a favorite in the North Bay.
Also love the Costanoa Resort. Right on Hwy 1 between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. KOA runs this campground part of the resort. Not your typical KOA.
Last weekend I camped at Mt. Madonna County Park, on the summit of Hecker Pass, between Watsonville and Gilroy. Very peaceful and quiet with lots of hiking.
There is also a great San Mateo County campground right in Half Moon Bay, on the beach, not the one north of town.
Lastly, if you want to drive a little farther, I like Paso Robles. It's hot during the day but he AC keeps it cool inside.
Happy Travels!