San Diego to Lake Tahoe then San Francisco Need Recommendations

[Ron_CA]

Taking off around September 18 and heading north. Want to camp in Seqouia National Park, Lake Tahoe, somewhere near San Francisco and then back down the coast to San Diego.

Anybody have nice spots they have stayed at in any of these areas?

Thanks

[wildwoodrver]

Good place to stay in Tahoe is at Zephyr Cove Resort on the south end of the lake. CG is across the street from the lake. Beautiful setting, decent place to eat and you can catch the MS Dixie II for a tour of the lake right there.
In the SF Bay Area, I would recommend the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. If you want to go into the City, you can take a short drive to the BART train, park and ride the train in. Beats parking in SF anytime.

We also like to camp in Big Sur at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground.

Enjoy!

[Ron_CA]

Thanks WWRver seem like a couple of good suggestions I will look into.

Anybody else?

[WaLee]

We like Sugar Pine Point state park on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. The campground is first come first serve after Labor Day. No hookups. There's a dump station bathrooms and showers though. We'll be there the weekend of Sept 12. Easy access to the west shore bike trail, Emerald bay and not too far from Tahoe city. Meeks bay resort, very close by, has the best sandy beach on the west shore and a campground. You can rent a boat by the hour and tour the lake at Homewood. It all depends on the Tahoe experience you want. South shore has the casinos, north and west shore is much more laid back. If you have kayaks or a canoe Emerald bay is a must do excursion. You can walk down to the Vikingsholm mansion and tour if you don't have boat access. Lots do do and see everywhere on this huge alpine lake. We live about an hour away and go up as often as we can.



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[CaddyGrn]

If you want real adventure you can travel down Hwy 101 across the Golden Gate Bridge and continue on Hwy 101 to about Pacifica and stay at the San Francisco RV Resort. It is rather like being in a Wal Mart Parking lot, but the view is better if you get on the beach side... Here is the website and you can look at photos yourself: San Francisco RV Resort | Park your RV on the Cliffs overlooking the Pacific Coastline | Pacifica, California

From there you can unhook and drive into the "City" or go to the nearest BART or Muni station and travel. That would be my recommendation (or take a cab) as parking in SF is more than difficult and if you can find a place for less than $30 a day you are really lucky!

You can also drive to Half Moon Bay and camp at Half Moon Bay State Park (CA State Park) They have some notices about no reservations after Sept. 30, but you might make it... here is the website, I would check it out. We like camping there. Half Moon Bay SB

The drive down this part of the coast is nice and once past Half Moon Bay the traffic thins out considerably. Santa Cruz has some nice camping along the beach, just Google and check out the State Campgrounds or Commercial ones.

If heading through the "City" isn't your cup of tea, then you will still need to navigate heavy traffic until you get down Hwy 101 (or whatever road you take) until you get to Santa Cruz or Monterey.

Just check your maps carefully and if you have GPS that can be a big help in watching traffic patterns!

Have fun!

[MomcatA]

In Sequoia, Lodgepole Campground at Giant Forest is the only one open after September 3rd. You can make reservations (recommended) through recreation.gov., or you can hope to show up in the morning and get a site. Also note that the best route in with an Airstream is highway 180 east from Fresno, then south from the Park entrance about 35 miles to Lodgepole. Do not attempt coming from the south on highway 198.


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[Ron_CA]

Thanks CaddyGrn I may check out San Fran RV resort. It seems I may go up the coast first so may work out with my need to go accross the Golden Gate bridge into San Anselmo.

Thanks MomcatA.. I haven't been to Sequoia in probably 10 years and there wasn't a lot of people around this time of year. Stayed at the lodge though so will check out campsite availability. I am driving my Interstate but will still likely take the 180 in.

[kscherzi]

I like Fallen Leaf Lake campground at Tahoe. Lots of Aspen at the visitor center nearby that will probably be in full color. There a nice underwater viewing area of the stream where you can watch migrating salmon. Unique to Lake Tahoe.

[urban71]

I second Fallen Leaf. Nice place for Tahoe. It's a big campground, but during the week it should be quiet. Short drive to emerald bay overlook. Don't miss the trail to the Casade Lake overlook directly across the street behind the small campground.

We live in SF and there is very little RV camping near the city. I'd look at Mount Diablo State Park. Not too far from walnut creek. You can grab the BART there and visit the city. You can drive in as well, don't let the other post talk you out of it. View driving across the bridge from Oakland is spectacular on a nice day. The only recommendation is to avoid rush hour on the bridges. Parking south of market street is easy.

If you are into Wine, look at staying north in Sonoma or Napa county. The drive is less than an hour. Your could park in Tiburon or Sausalito and take a ferry into the city. Check out Skyline Wilderness Park.

We've done the drive south from SF to San Diego a few times. We typically stay outside of Monterey at Laguna Seca, yes the race track. If there is not an event - you almost have the place to yourself. Great sunsets from top of the hill. You can dry camp or have water and power. Nice home base to visit Monterey and Carmel.

Along the coast we love Kirk Creek, about 30 miles south of Big Sur. Amazing place. Short drive to sand dollars beach. Remote location. No stores to be found.

North of Santa Barbara there is Ocean Mesa resort. Nice place to recharge the battery and grab a nice swim and a shower. Little pricey, but after a few days at Kirk Creek it is a nice stop over.

Another fun overnight are the camp spots near Ventura along PCH. You literally camp in a parking spot on the ocean. Don't know if I would spend more then a night there, but fun experience. The spots are located on / near Rincon Parkway.

Have a great trip!





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[tkb2041]

I third Fallen Leaf. This place is beautiful. We stay away during summer months because it's packed, but return during the fall. It's one of our favorite campgrounds and you won't be disappointed.

[Ron_CA]

Wow Fallen Leaf sounds nice. Thanks

Urban71 thanks for the other suggestions as well.

I am actually changing things up a bit. Heading to San Francisco tomorrow for a quick business trip. Going up the 5 and crossing over to the 101 as it is still hot out. Will stop short of Santa Cruz tomorrow, then zoom (yeah right) to San Anselmo and back south out of San Fran on Monday. Next 3 days will be spent between Monterey and Santa Barbara. We are staying at Jalama Beach Wednesday night then back to San Diego.

After I get back, may still go back to Lake Tahoe as planned with out friends.

[Photobum]

Jalama is great when the wind is down. Gotta love those burgers....

[kingfisher24]

our trip will take us from pahrump to tahoe and then I80 to truckee and then onto mendicino…any words about the routethanks

[Photobum]

Stop at Convict Lake....

[WaLee]

Just got back from 4 days at Tahoe. Big fire burning nearby. Lots of smoke on Donner summit, not bad on the south side. Plenty of open spots at Sugar Pine Point campground this weekend. Days at 80 and cold nights but above freezing. Next weekend is the iron man triathlon on the north shore Saturday will be crazy for road closures on the north side including Truckee. The center for the event is Squaw Valley.


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[LiLNomad]

We stayed at Sequoia RV Ranch the drove in.
LilNomad