West Cheap or Free in California

[Bob Thompson]

Here is my current list:
CALIFORNIA part "A"
ADELANTO
The 1st chance to pick up Highway 395, going south to north, is off I-15 east of the CajonPass. 12 miles after leaving I-15 east of CajonPass the first town you come to is of Adelanto. There are restrooms although they are not clean. Several water faucets and a dog area complete this nice place to stop for the night. Next to the park is a convenience store where you can buy basic supplies. There is a 24-hr limit at the park. On US-395 (N of San Bernardino) a few miles North of where US-395 and Hwy 15 join. As you drive thru town, watch for a water tank 1/2 block off to the east at the edge of a small city park with room for 6 RVs.
AFTONCANYON - 40 mi E of Barstow off I-15. Go South on Afton Rd. It is a windy road with 2 grades. OK for up to 30-ft trailers. Free camping throughout canyon on off road spaces. There is also a campground with water & pit toilets for a small fee
APRICOT TREE - On I-5 in mid-central CA, 18 mi North of junction with HWY-33 North. Restaurant, service stations, motel, large parking lot, room for several RVs, any size. Quiet sleeping area.
ATASCADERO - On highway 101 midway between San Francisco and Las Angeles. If you're looking for a dump site take the Curbaril turnoff 101. Head east, inland. Turn right after you cross the railroad. Go to the end of the road and you will find the water treatment plant that has a dump. There is a pullout right outside of the gate that could be used for overnight parking. Railroads close by . There are two hiking trails in this area . One immediately outside the gate of the water treatment plant. It takes you down by the Salinas river. Go through the railroad tunnel or across the track and turn left you will find another hiking trail that goes up over a hill about 2 miles and circles back.

Atascadero has one main street. El Camino Real. If you come into town and take Curbaril off ramp , turn rt. At the next light you'll see Burger King. Overnighter's park in that parking lot. But you can also take the road directly across from Burger King and follow it up over the hill. Once you come down the hill the street makes a Y. Right below the Y is a house that is used as a Day Care Center. You will see a Day Bus parked there. If you drive in on the pavement and turn left there is a flat empty lot beside it surrounded by trees. The Day Care Center has no one there during the evenings so you will not be disturbing anyone . On Highway 1 by San Simeon there is a little dirt road that pulls off the main highway about a mile or so south of San Simeon Beach turnoff.
BIG PINEAfter going through the town of Big Pine where you’ll find several inexpensive county-run campgrounds (under $10).
BAKER - Take Baker exit off I-15 to Mojave Nat'l Preserve Visitor Center. Directly across street is large dirt lot with sign: "Truck and RV Parking." No time limit is posted. Check visitor center for maps, free camp locations.
A large, free, overnight parking lot for trucks and RVs is located across the street from the Bun-Boy Restaurant and Motel. It's right downtown -- you can't miss it.
BEAUMONT - The Dowling Fruit Orchard, 1 mi W of Beaumont on HWY-60, offers free overnight parking and a wide variety of fresh fruit in season. Dried fruit and standard market vegetables are available year round
BIG PINE / INDEPENDENCE - A free site we like along U.S.Hwy 395 is Goodale Creek , a BLM campground about 16 miles south of Big Pine, about midway between Big Pine and Independence. At Aberdeen Road, turn west and go about two miles on Aberdeen Road, passing the little trailer park community of Aberdeen (small store, restaurant, phone) to the park entrance. There are over 60 sites, with picnic tables and fire rings or BBQ grills, some tree-shaded. .
BISHOP - Horton Creek campground 4 mi N of town on HWY-395. Turn W onto Sawmill Rd, N on Round Valley Rd for 4 mi. Follow signs. 53 large, level sites, half on stream. Nearest water at PleasantValley campground. No RV size limit.
BORON - Near Barstow on SH-58. Overnight parking in front of library, on 20-Mule Team Road. It's next door to a good cafe, & across the street from the BoraxMuseum. Room for 1 or 2 rigs. Dry camping, no electric or dump.
A rest area just outside of Boron, Calif., permits overnighting. There are no hookups or dump.
BORREGO SPRINGS - 6 mi E from Christmas Cir on HWY-22, area around Peg Leg Smith Monument. Free and no restrictions
BORREGO SPRINGS
8 miles east of town on top of hill near micro wave tower are many dispersed RV camping sites. No stay limit and room for any size rig. Water and dump available at BorregoState Park campground just west of Borrego Springs for $5.
BUCK MEADOWS - On Hwy-120 at E end of Buck Meadows just beyond Exxon gas station, look for paved old hwy on N side of road. No hookups or toilets. General store at gas station. Nearby Buck Meadows Lodge has restaurant. 12 miles to Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite, with easy access to the Valley in summer
CALEXICO - Fed Mart was permitting overnight parking on N side of store. Calexico has free dump in municipal parking lot downtown by water tower. The "No truck parking" signs mean anything over 1 1/2 tons.
CANBY - Howard Gulch campground is 3 miles W on HWY 299, 3.9 mi N on HWY-139, 2 mi SW on Forest Rd 42N14. Follow wheelchair access. Pit toilets, water. 28-ft RV size limit.
DEATH VALLEY JUNCTION - Actress/ballerina Marta Becket permits overnight RV camping in the parking lot of her Armagosa Opera House. She requests a couple dollars a night. Be sure to see her one-woman show, staged in the winter season only
DUNSMUIR - There are 3 Dunsmuir exits off I-5, take second exit, go S on Dunsmuir Ave staying E of I-5. City lot in 1st block S of Post Office and USA grocery store.
ESSEX - Boron Roadside Rest on I-40, just W of Essex. Good parking away from trucks.
ESSEX
Mojave National Preserve is north of Essex about 20 miles. Go north from I-40 at exit 100 towards the ProvidenceMountainsState Park. You will come to a “Y” in the road, and you bear right towards the Preserve. About 4 miles will bring you to a ranch on the left with a sign saying firewood. Turn left at the next road. 1/2 mile to great RV boondocking spot on the right.
ETNA - S of Yreka and the city park is free
Horton Creek Campground is high up in the mountains (elevation almost 5,000 ft.) it is surrounded by MountTom, Wheeler Crest and Tungsten Hills. A favorite of tent campers (I counted more tents than RVs) it offers lots of opportunities for mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. The view in every direction is unsurpassed and the temperature, even during the hot summer months, is pleasant. The campground’s opening varies depending on the migration of the deer herds, generally the first week of May. Please call the BLM’s Bishop office (760) 872-4881) for information. There are 53 sites, with picnic tables, fire rings and 5 pit toilets that are kept spotless. Bishop is 8.5 miles to the south. Gen. Information: 8.5 miles north/west of Bishop on US 395, turn left on Sawmill Road and right onto Round Valley Rd. Watch out for mountain lions especially in the early spring when the deer herds are migrating. Max. stay 14 days. NO fees. no potable water.
CROWLEYLAKEThis region is a fulltimer’s paradise during the summer. In the winter most are closed. LakeCrowley campground has an excellent view of the lake from each of the 47 sites. CrowleyLake is 3 miles away with easy access.
Gen. Information: Off 395, three miles north of Tom's Place. There's also a small store in CrowleyLakeVillage that has an excellent deli counter where they bake their own bread for the sandwiches they serve. Here, aside from the groceries, you can also buy gasoline, propane and firewood. At the laundromat on Crowley Lake Village Drive you can not only wash your clothes, but for a couple of bucks take a long hot shower. A luxury after the short navy showers aboard of your rig. At McGee Creek RV Park, north of the campground, showers are also to be had. Water is available at the Sheriff station but for that "bottled-water-tasting" drinking water, go to ConvictLake where you will also find a sanitary dump. Both are FREE.
MONOLAKE Just after the turn-off to the city of Mammoth Lakes (Highway 203) you’ll see a sign saying Big Springs campground is 3 miles to the east. Managed by the US FS, it has a 21 day limit. No piped in water but people were getting water from the Owens River which runs right next to it. Open between 4/24 and 11/17, it has 26 spaces, many of them pull-thru, with plenty of room between the sites under the tall pine trees. Pit toilets but NO place to dump your trash. "You bring it in, you pack it out!" was posted and it seems to be working, I saw no trash anywhere.
MonoLake is one of the oldest lakes, more than a million years old. It area is 60 sq. miles. Up until 1941 the City of Los Angeles began to divert water from four of the five streams that fed the lake, causing the water level to drop 41 feet. After a long drawn-out court battle it is now decided that in the next 20 years the water level will be raised by 17 feet assuring the survival of the lake. This body of water is an important stop-over for migrating birds. The best way to enjoy your visit is to start at the MonoBasinScenicAreaVisitorCenter located just off Highway 395 north of Lee Vining.
The small town of Lee Vining is charming with plenty of souvenir shops and places to eat. It is a little "touristy." There are several campgrounds nearby but all charge a steep fee.
GEYSERVILLE - Lake Sonoma CoE Corp of Engineers park Liberty Glen off HWY-101 at HWY-128. Paved. Picnic tables, fire rings, clean toilets, cold showers. Handicapped access, dump station closed due to water availability. Free after 9/30
Hanford, CA (near Fresno) Kings County Fairground, a little off the main San JoaquinValley freeways, $20 with hookups. Friendy host, room to walk around, it's not bad.
HINKLEY - CA State Grange Hall is open for camping. For info, write CA State Grange, P.O. Box 13, Hinkley, CA92347.
HORNBROOK - Hornbrook Chevron, 114 Copco Rd. From I-5, take Henley exit, go 0.1 mile E of freeway. Located just S of Oregon border agricultural inspection station. Huge paved area plus large level dirt area for semis and extra long vehicles. Pretty country views. Flush toilets during business hours, phone, groceries, gas, diesel, water. Friendly owners. Over night only. Near fishing lakes, permits available for sale.

see part "B"

[Bob Thompson]

Cheap or Free in California part "B"
JOSHUATREENATIONAL PARK - Seventeen miles east of the Twentynine Palms on Highway 62 is the Star's Way Out cafe. Owner Dave will let you dry-camp on his property at no charge. If your RV is not self-contained he will even leave the restroom open after closing time.
Joshua Trees National Park, This is a great park for winter dry camping. After the $10 entry fee, it's just $5 a day, with a 14 day limit; each camp site includes picnic table & grill or fire ring. Lots of variety in sites, though availability for larger coaches & trailers can be a problem. Ranger recommended Jumbo Rocks campground for 30' fifth wheel. Lots of hiking, nature trails & great desert scenery.
KRAMER JUNCTION Kramer Junction is just that, a junction where U.S. Highway 395 crosses California State Highway 58 about 34 miles north of Adelanto. On all four corners you'll find gas stations / coffee shops. Long haul truckers park their trucks on a giant dirt lot that you pass just before you enter town. It should be OK to park your rig there too for an overnight stay. Also check out lot behind the ARCO station east of town. You can get away from noise if you park in the back.
LONE PINE - Whitney Portal road W of US-395 approx 4 mi. LonePineForest campground N side of rd. Free. No RV length limit. Picnic tables, vault toilets, water.
Los Banos: RVers can dry camp for free on 2.6 acre lot at Apricot Tree Restaurant, just off I-5 at Panoche Road exit, about 30 miles south of Los Banos. Ask permission of manager of restaurant.
Ludlow: (west of Needles) Interstate 40 at US-66, huge paved parking areas both sides of road. North side is more level. Try to get in corners, away from noisy diesel trucks.
MCFARLAND - Church lot corner of 6th and Sherwood has room for up to 6 rigs Overnight. You should ask for permission first.
MECCA - Take 66th Ave. east off of SR 111. This turns into BoxCanyon. Up in BoxCanyon there are a number of sites along the road. Beautiful setting. DO NOT USE when rain is predicted. FLASH FLOODING would be a real possibility here. Limited services in Mecca. N.E. of Mecca on road to Chiriaco Summit are miles of 14-day limit RV camping among the mud hills. Easy access, but watch out for soft sand. No facilities there and limited services in Mecca. Best for 2 for 3 RVs together. At Mecca end is area with nice view of Salton Sea.
MEYERS FLAT - A small town approximately 17 miles N of Garberville on Hwy-101 on Northern CA coast. Large sign on W side of old Hwy-101 "Free RV Overnight Parking". It's a dirt parking lot big enough for a dozen large RVs. No water or dump, but there is a gas station and store.
NEVADACITY - NW of town on HWY-49 to E-20 and Bullard's Bar Dam. Several boondocking spots in National Forest. A favorite is 1 mile SW of dam on HWY-20, on right side on top of hill. There is a pull-out on the side of hwy to help you turn into steep incline. No facilities. 14-day limit.
Needles: City park next to old railroad station has free overnight parking. Take Broadway to H St. Turn to the railroad. Nice big O/N with water. Police patrolled.
NEEDLES -South of Needles about 20 miles is large free RV camping area off Turtle Mountain Road. Check with BLM office just south of I-40 for directions.
New Cuyama: 60 mi E of Santa Maria, City park has free overnight parking on Hwy-166. Water only, public rest rooms, 8 pull-thru RV sites at SE corner.
Niland:SlabCity near Salton Sea. Bring own water & solar, strictly primitive.
Oakhurst: Sears allows overnight RV parking.
Onyx: 14 miles east of town on Highway 178 at WalkerPass, there are 10 sites with tables, drinking water and a toilet.
Orick: Just south of Orick (between Crescent City & Eureka) on US 101 is a free campground run by State of California. Along highway, between highway & beach. $4 night donation asked. Lots of traffic on road during day, very little after 10 p.m. Scenery is great. The camping spots are along the highway, between the highway and the beach. There is no drinking water but the state provides portable toilets. The state requests a donation of $4 per night. Although there is a lot of traffic on the road during the day, there is little traffic after 10 p.m. so sleeping is no problem unless you are a light sleeper. The scenery is great.
ORLAND - On I-5 at HWY-32 exit, Berry Patch restaurant welcomes you to park on the lot next to the restaurant over night parking only.
Orland: Exit I-5 in South Street, go east past Beacon gas station to southeast corner of South and Cantina Streets. Large gravel parking lot, level quiet.
OROVILLE - A good place to stop over for a night or longer is Miner's Cafe on Oro Dam Blvd. Just past the 2nd traffic light on left side. Lots of room behind the restaurant. Level and graveled. .
PERRIS - LakePerris Recreational Area. From I-60 turn south on I-215, go south for 8 miles, turn east on Ramona Pkwy. Go east 3 mi., turn north on Lake Perris Drive to park. Huge lake, flush toilets, pay showers, paved pads, picnic tables, huge sites, water, dump. $8/no hookups (over 60 years old is $6 per night), Nov.-Mar. Full hookups available at $13. No daily entrance fee for campers.
Palo Verde:ImperialCounty park, 24 miles south of Blythe at boat launch area just south of Palo Verde on SR 78. On highway & river. Boating & fishing. Some shade trees. No water.
Perris: National RV on Perris Boulevard allows overnight RV parking.
QUINCY - Go 7 miles north of Quincy on Hwy 89. No sign; turn immediately west after crossing SpanishCreekBridge from south. No fee, no water, pit toilets, fishing. 14 day limit.
RANDSBURG The town maintains an interesting museum staffed by volunteers. There is a small bar that is open 7 days a week all year ‘round. You are allowed to dry-camp overnight anywhere in town but not next to the park. If you can find a level spot, that is.
REDDING - Elks & Moose Lodges both have parking for their members.
REDDING 76 Auto/Truck Plaza (Unocal) on I-5 & Knighten Rd, 7 mi S of town. There is a special RV parking area away from trucks near restaurant. Food is good. Free, but 24-hr limit. Spaces marked.
REDDING On SH-299 W. Park free for 2 weeks on E side of WhiskeyTownLake 8 mi W of Redding. Shaded, water, dump. BrandyCreek at WhiskeytownLake (NRA). From I-5 go W on HWY-299 to VisitorCenter and entrance(MM 16.5). Follow road W and cross over dam. Go about 3.9 miles and turn right to marina and dry camp area. 14-day limit May-Oct; 30-day limit rest of year. Must register your vehicle. Camping A $5.00 daily fee is charged to access or stay on the lands administered by NRA
Redding: the easiest way to get there from both north and south is to take Highway 44 east off of I-5 toward LassenPark. Take Victor Ave Exit and go north over overpass to Dana Drive. Turn left and it's down a block on the left.
Redwood Valley: Shodaki Coyote Valley Casino, Highway 101, north of Ukiah; easy off/on at RedwoodValley, next exit onto West Road.
SALINAS - Sherman Park/Rodeo Grounds off US-101. Take Main St exit, go north on Main St 2 blocks to Iris Dr. Turn right into Rodeo Grounds. Free camping for 1 night in paved lot immediately to left. No camping 3rd week of July (rodeo week). Access to golf course, driving range, tennis courts, swimming pool on grounds. Stores and restaurants across street.
SaltonCity: Free overnight parking at Oh My God Hot Well, about three miles west of town.
SaltonCity: From SR 86, take County Road 22 west toward Borrego Springs. Large flat areas north of road to boondock.. You'll find water by the oleanders in front of the community building. Free dump is at Johnson's Landing on Salton Sea, off Marina Drive. .
SANTA NELLA - '76 Truck Stop near I-5. Room for RVers in rear near fence.
Santa Cruz: Along West Cliff Drive, right on water’s edge.
SHOSHONE - Free parking 3 mi S of Shoshone on Hwy-127, 5 miles N of Tecopa Hot Springs. Dirt road west. Unlimited area for parking. Land belongs to a mining company. As long as people don't abuse it, you may stay as long as you wish free. No facilities. Free hot showers at InyoCounty park just 3 miles east of Hot Springs. Also free RV dump.
LakeSonoma Corps of Engineers Napa / SonomaJust north of Healdsburg off Highway 101. We stayed at the campground on Lake Sonoma for a week during the end of September '05. There must have been 80 or more sites, and almost all were empty. There is a problem with a reliable source of water for the park, so the COE allows camping for $10 per night. There is no dump, but you can dump for free at the Rotten Robby's gas station beside Highway 101 on the south side of Santa Rosa if you purchase at least $10 in gas. The campground uses Porta-potties for restrooms. The campground is otherwise quite nice.
Tecopa:Tecopa Hot Springs Road at Highway 27, BLM land offers free RV camping.
Truckee North of Truckee near TruckeeLake there are numerous National Forest Service campgrounds. Consult the National Forest Campgrounds Guide. Campgrounds are often full on weekends.
Twentynine Palms:Stars Way Out Cafe, 17 miles east of town on Highway 17, allows overnight parking.
Wasco: Big K store, west end of parking lot behind store.
WalkerPass: Free BLM campground on State Highway 178, about 30 miles from LakeIsabella.
Weed Lake Shastina Recreation Area, Free camping a few miles north east of Weed off US97, close by the lake in juniper & pine woods. About 30 spaces for rigs of various sizes, some drive throughs. Tables, fire pits, water & toilets. Boating, fishing, birding, room to roam. Views of Mount Shasta & the Siskiyou-TrinityMountains.
WEED - South of Weed, leave Hwy as if going to Kellog Ranch RV Park. Proceed about 1 block to east end of Vista Dr. There is a free undeveloped treed lot across from Taco Bell. No facilities. Used by truckers and RVers. Magnificent view on Mt Shasta.
Williams: Granzellas Wine & Delicatessen, 451 6th St. Owners allow you to boondock. It's an excellent place to eat. Right off freeway.
Yuba City: Live Oak Park, 8½ miles north of town on Highway 99, exit Live Oak, turn west on Pennington Road for one mile. 12 sites, 14 day limit, RVs under 30 feet. Picnic tables, toilets, drinking water
YuccaValley: Take Highway 62 five miles west of town to MorongoCityPark. Six sites, picnic tables, toilets.
YOSEMITE FISH CAMP - SR-41 N of Fish Camp just S of entrance station to Yosemite NP. Large paved winter sports parking area (Goat Meadow) on E side of hwy. No facilities, no RV size limit. Scenic.

[Mike Lewis]

Bob --your cheap or free lists are much appreciated. They are worth the $30.00 ink cartridge it took to print them!!!---pieman

[WhiteyFord]

Bob, Would you happen to have all these wonderful boondocking locations in an Excel format?

[Bob Thompson]

Sorry, but they are only in "WORD" format.

[codybear]

Hi Bob,

Thank you so much for the info..having stayed mostly at State Park, KOA's, Good Sam's, and AAA recommended campgrounds in CA, this list of yours will certainly come in handy as we travel around California

[Bob Thompson]

Cheap or Free Dump stations in California. My current list Enjoy!
California
Adelanto.......Adelanto RV Park, Hwy 395
Anaheim…….Anaheim Resort RV Park, 200 W. Midway Dr., $5 fee
Anderson...…Chevron, Across from Outlet stores just off I-5
Auburn……...Union 76, Hwy 80 @ Foresthill Rd.
Bakersfield…Flying J TravelPlaza, Hwy 99
Bakersfield…Recreation USA, 2701 Auto Mall Dr. $5.00 for non-customers.
Banning…….Banning Truck Stop, I-10 & Highland Springs
Barstow…….Flying J Travel Plaza, I-15 Lenwood Exit
Barstow…….Rip Griffin's #96, I-15 176
Bishop……...Texaco, US 395
Blythe………CityPark , SE corner Lovekin & 14 th Ave, also Ehrenberg Flying J
Bradley……..Rest Stop, Hwy 101, between Bradley & Camp Roberts
Brawley…….Sunbeam Rest Area, I-8 north & south
Buttonwillow. Bruce's 76 Truck Stop, I-5 Buttonwillow
Ceres………...Barbour's Save Center, E. Whitmore Ave. & Mitchell Rd.
Clovis……….Arco Gas Station, Hwy 212
Corning……..Petro Stopping Center, Clovis & Barstow St.
El Centro……Imperial 8 TravelCenter, I-8 4th St.
El Centro……Buckman Springs Rest Area, I-8 Buckman Springs Rd.
Escondido….Freeway Trailer Sales, 945 W. Mission St.
Fairfield……..Camping World, Rt. 80 Cordelia Exit
Fortuna……...Texaco, South Main off Hwy 101 Kenmar Exit
Garden Grove..Springdale Self Serve CarWash,13095 Springdale St - $3
Hanford……...City Corporation, 11th Ave. during reg. city business hours.
Hollister……..Texaco Food Mart, Tres Pinos Blvd at HWY 25
Independence..Rest Stop US 395, 10 mi. North of Independence
Jamestown….Lake Tulloch RV CG & Marina ,Hwy. 108/120, Exit South Shore-Tulloch Rd.
KingCity…….Beacon Truck Stop, Hwy 101
Lakeport……..LibraryPark, Fifth St/Eleventh St Exit off Hwy. 29
Lancaster……Butler Scales, Rt. 741
Lancaster……Young's RV Center, Ave I & SR 14
Lebec…………Flying J TravelPlaza, I-5 Frazier Park
Lebec…………Grapevine Rest Area,I-5 northbound & southbound, easy on& off.
Midpines……..Yosemite/Mariposa KOA, Hwy 40, $10 fee if not registered at CG
Modesto………Chevron, 815 Kansas Ave.Kansas exit off Hwy 99 $5.00 w/o purchase
Modesto……..Shell, Sisk Rd. Briggsmore exit off Highway 99
Oceanside…...OceansideHarbor, I-5 OceansideHarbor Exit
Orland………..Rest Area, I-5 just south of Orland, both directions
Orland………..Rest Area, I-5 & I-580 merge, southbound
Paso Robles..24th & Spring Sts. Beacon Station
Red Bluff……O'Nite RV Park, 130 Gilmore Rd. off Antelope. Blvd West of I-5
Red Bluff……Red Bluff RV Park, 80 Chestnut Ave. off Antelope Blvd. $5 8-6
RioVista……SandyBeachRegionalPark, Beach Drive, 2 mi S. of downtown
Ripon………..Flying J TravelPlaza, Hwy 99
Riverside…...Riverside Sewer Treatment Plant, Jurupa and Van Buren
San Diego…..Boulder Oaks Rest Area, I-8 Boulder Oaks
San Diego…..Las Pulgas Rest Area, I-5, Las Pulgas Rd.
San Diego…..Miramar Texaco, I-15 Miramar Rd.
San Diego…..MissionBayVisitorCenter, I-5 Clairemont Dr.
San Fernando..Valley Unocal Statn, Sepulveda Blvd & San Fernado Mission Rd
San Jose (Milpitas)…B&K Union 76, I-680 exit north on Landers Av. one block on right
San Jose (Santa Calara)..Heffners RV Service Intersection of El Camino & Bowers Ave
San Diego…..Union 76, I-8 Main Street
Santa Ana…..Metro RV Inc., I-190 Exit 22
Santa Clarita..Santa Clarita Mobil, Hwy 14
Santa Nella….Mid Cal Auto/Truck Plaza, I-5 Santa Nella
Santa Paula…StecklePark, 10th Street & Highway 126, Santa Paula
Santa Paula….USA Gas, 10th Street & Highway 126, Santa Paula
Santa Rosa…..Rotten Robbie #61, 55 Todd Road, Dump Fee $10 (waived if $10 spent in store). Hwy 101 & Todd Road
Temecula…….Lake Skimmer, Exit Rancho California Rd, go E 6 miles, exit into LakeSkimmer, go 1 mile to dump site (Fee ~ $8)
Temecula…….Pachanga Casino RV, Exit from I-5 to Route 79, 1 mile to Pala Road, turn 1 mile to Pachanga Casino RV (Fee about $8)
Temecula…….Temecula Valley RV, Exit from I-15 @ Front St, 1 mile on left $Free
Thousand Palms..Flying J TravelPlaza, I-10 @ Ramon Rd.
TrabucoCanyon..O'Neil RegionalPark, Trabuco Canyon Road
Turlock…………Chevron Foodmart, Lander Ave. exit off Hwy 99 $5.00 w/o purchase
Ukiah………….Chevron, Hwy 101 @ Perkins St.
Valencia………Camping World, I-5 @ Lyons Exit
Ventura………..Texaco, Victoria Ave & Hwy 101 $5.00
Weed…………...Friendly RV Park, I-5 @, South Weed Exit
Westley………...Rest Area on I-5

[uwe]

Bob,
I did find a couple of incorrect entries that you might want to correct on your list:
(Santa Ana…..Metro RV Inc., I-190 Exit 22) There's no I-190 near Santa Ana CA, Exit 22 does not match either.
They are at 815 North Harbor Blvd, Santa Ana. SR22 Exit Harbor Blvd,

(Temecula…….Lake Skimmer, Exit Rancho California Rd, go E 6 miles, exit into LakeSkimmer, go 1 mile to dump site (Fee ~ $8))
More commonly known as Lake Skinner...

Thank you again, Bob, for posting these pages.

[Bob Thompson]

Thanks for the "heads up" I'll make the corrections to my list.

[CaddyGrn]

Here is another free dump site you may want to add to your list. Yreka, California (last town heading north on Interstate 5 before Oregon border). The dump station is located near the corner of Oberlin Road and South Main Street (not quite 2 blocks...) around the back side of the Valero Gas Station. The downside is it is a bit difficult to use as it isn't on really level ground...also an option is: the Waiiaka Trailer Haven at 240 Sharps Road, Yreka (just at the north end of the County Fairgrounds ~ visible from interstate) also will let you use their dump services for a small fee. (last time we used it ~ $5)

[S C Streamer]

Originally Posted by Bob Thompson

Cheap or Free in California part "B"


Santa Cruz: Along West Cliff Drive, right on water’s edge.

To save you from being rousted by the local Police,do not try to stay anywhere within the Santa Cruz city limits. With a large homeless population, Santa Cruz has and enforces an ordinance that prohibits camping or sleeping in vehicles within city limits. I'm not trying to knock Bob Thompson or his efforts regarding the "Cheap or Free" list, I really enjoy all of his hard work compiling and posting the list.


Mark

[Bob Thompson]

Thanks for the "heads up". I'll drop Santa Cruz from my master list.

[kolarshooter]

WOW! Great job compiling some pretty esoteric dump locations...regarding the Paso Robles site (Beacon Station: 24th & Spring) they are now charging five bucks (free if you buy some fuel from them.) If you are towing a really long trailer, the location might be a bit dicey...it's along the fence directly behind the station. Drive around the building clockwise...it is directly behind the building. You might want to enter the property from 24th street (travelling eastbound...westbound entry would be impossible.)

Great list. I'll keep a copy in my binder.

Thanks!

[CaddyGrn]

Here is another free dump station in California. Interstate 5 at Willows (north of Sacramento) both Northbound and Southbound sites have free dump stations at the roadside rests. The roadside rests are a mile or two north of the town of Willows.

Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)

[Fyrzowt]

$5 dump station in Atascadero at the Chevron on the east side of Hwy 101, at Santa Rosa Rd.

WEEKDAYS only: If you don't mind driving a couple of miles, the City will let RV's dump for free as a service to "residents". From Hwy 101 go east about 1 mile on Curbaril Ave., just past the RR tracks turn right on Garbada Rd., go to end, through gate. Watch for the RV dump sign.

[CaddyGrn]

Here is another item for the places to stay:

I-5 near Santa Nella... heading to 152 East or West. From Santa Nella head to the Forebay at Lake San Luis. Take Hwy 33 from Santa Nella heading south. Small 2 lane road. Before you come to Hwy 152 you will see 2 trees on the West side... and a small sign that says Medeiros Campsite (or something similar). There is camping for $10 a night, self registration. $8 for Seniors. Water available from a tank. Porta Potties... not serviced really often. Tables and shelters. Can be really windy, and can be hot in summer. But right now not too bad... Good for a quiet off the road place in the middle of nowhere! A couple of other campsites in the immediate area but a little more difficult to get to. We stayed going and coming to the San Antonio Rally and it worked really well for us. Got off I-5 and didn't have to listen to reefer trucks!

Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)

[TinShack]

You can use the dump station at any California state park that has one for $5.00. Free if you camp there.

The dump station for Pismo State Beach (North Beach and Oceano campgrounds) is free and is located between the two campgrounds on LeSage St., which is the first street North of Grand Ave. along Hwy 1 (on the beach side)

[Motoman]

Add the City of Corona, CA Wastewater Treatment Plant to your list, Railroad Street east of Auto Center/Serfas Club Drive.

[Bob Thompson]

Heads up! I have a significant addition to the list and it is for the Los Angeles/Pasadena/Glendale area.

Los Angeles/Pasadena/Glendale There is very good low cost camping in the Angles National Forest just East of Pasadena. From La Canada/Flintridge, take the Angeles Crest Highway (Highway 2) into the National Forest. Go about 8 miles and the Road to Palmdale goes to the left. If you take the road to Palmdale, go about 8 miles and Monte Cristo Campground will be located on the right. There are no hookups but there are paved spaces for about 20 rigs. It is best suited for trailers smaller than 26'. Cost is about $8 per night ($4 with Golden Age Pass). It is busy on weekends but almost empty during the week.

Going back to Highway 2 where the Palmdale cutoff occurs, continue on Highway 2 about 13 miles to Chilao Campground. This campgound has water available, pit toilets, and about 85 paved spaces. It is at or near the top of a mountain at 5500 ft. and it is fantastic. Beautiful during the day and cool and quiet at night. It even has decent TV reception. Cost is $12/nite or $6 with Golden Age Pass) It is a little busy on weekends but almost completely empty during the week.

For a Free Dump Station, The National Forest Service has provided one at Charleton Flat. From Chilao, drive back down Highway 2 about 3 miles to Charleton Flat and the Dump station is on the South side of the road. There is no rinse water at the Dump Station.

The Angeles Crest Highway is fairly twisty and turny, but it is in very good condition and is easily traversed pulling a trailer.

[airstreamJOY]

HI Bob- I am a new Airstreamer, living in Central California- THANKS for the list!! I am going to try to put a dent in it!!