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10-09-2010, 12:51 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
2007 27' Safari FB SE
Full Timers just passing through
, Arizona for a couple of weeks and then on to Utah!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 325
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Who drives around San Francisco?
We are headed down the California coast and are planning on staying a few days in the San Francisco area. We are currently planning on staying at the San Francisco RV restort in Pacificia unless someone has better ideas. In order to do that, I have to get there...that is the rub. I will be on 101 coming down the coast. Do I drive through San Francisco? Go around? How far around?
One of you locals or a recent traveller give me a hand here. What is the best route and place to camp if we want to see San Francisco for a couple of days?
__________________
Living life on the Road
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10-09-2010, 02:02 PM
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#2
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1 Rivet Member
2004 28' International CCD
overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 7
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Coming down from the north the golden gate is O.K. going south. Be sure to get off immediately after paying your toll, take the 19th avenue exit and follow this until you run into I 280 take this to the 1 which goes to Pacifica. The park in Pacifica is close to the city but it is like a parking lot. Other choices are north of SF in Olema and Petaluma(KOA). They are nicer parks in a more rural atmosphere but it is more difficult to get into the city from these. The other choice would be Pelican Point in Half Moon Bay but don't go there the manager is rude and the rules make it impossible to have a good time.
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10-09-2010, 02:26 PM
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#3
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Maniacal Engineer
1971 25' Tradewind
Lopez Island
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,244
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There are two main routes through San Franciso, one via 19th Avenue and the other via Van Ness (101). Both are city streets, and will require close attention as the lanes are not wide and there is often heavy traffic, including Muni buses, etc. I've done both routes w/ significant trailers, Van Ness w/ our Airstream and 19th w/ a 8 1/2' wide equipment trailer. If you choose 19th Avenue which makes sense given your destination, be in the rightmost lane when leaving the Golden Gate bridge. The road through Golden Gate Park/Presideo is winding and narrow and the locals drive it with abandon. Avoid rush hours if possible.
I'm afraid we don't camp in the area (we live perhaps 30 miles down the Peninsula), so best places are an interesting question. Parking in SF can be a challenge; I find using local public transport to work well w/ a bit of advance planning. You can take a bus & BART into the city, or find a place to cache your ride somewhere. Buses, street cars and cable cars are all good choices in SF, as well as just plain walking - wear comfortable shoes. Bicycling in the city takes nerve and experience, but is often the fastest means of transport (hence the bike messengers...) downtown. Biking along the water front is fun and easy, though.
Google maps has excellent aerial photos of the resort, which looks to be largely a parking lot (<10% grass) w/ a pool directly on the beach.
- Bart
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10-09-2010, 02:52 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
1957 22' Caravanner
1971 27' Overlander
2004 25' Safari
Jourdanton
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 50
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If you get lucky and end up it a waterfront site, it can't be beat. It is on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Just a short drive to the nearest BART station to get downtown.
Just study the route. Know what the major alternatives are if you miss a turn. We did it with a caravan headed north. Only one individual ended up in Oakland out of three groups of rigs.
Jim
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10-09-2010, 02:54 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,067
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The RV resort we recently stayed at in SF was Candlestick RV Park, which was perfect for us. Candlestick RV Park, San Francisco
It is rather pricey, and like a parking lot, but on-site amenities (other than expensive laundry) were good and it has a shuttle from the campground into the city. The shuttle coordinates with one of the hop-on, hop-off tour buses, which you can take or not and worked very well for us for 2 days in the city.
We would recommend this place if you want to avoid the drive into and around town, which we did.
Maggie
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🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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10-09-2010, 04:52 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2005 30' Classic
Burlington
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,743
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug&maggie
The RV resort we recently stayed at in SF was Candlestick RV Park, which was perfect for us. Candlestick RV Park, San Francisco
It is rather pricey, and like a parking lot, but on-site amenities (other than expensive laundry) were good and it has a shuttle from the campground into the city. The shuttle coordinates with one of the hop-on, hop-off tour buses, which you can take or not and worked very well for us for 2 days in the city.
We would recommend this place if you want to avoid the drive into and around town, which we did.
Maggie
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We also stayed at Candlestick park a couple of years back and found it excellent for visiting the city and not having to worry about driving and parking the truck.
As for San Diego, we stopped at the Marina/RV park at Chula Vista which was very nice and also convenient for visiting S.D and Tijuana.
Brian
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Brian & Connie Mitchell
2005 Classic 30'
Hensley Arrow / Centramatics
2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD,4x4,Crew Cab, Diesel, Leer cap.
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10-09-2010, 05:56 PM
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#7
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moderator
Commercial Member
2016 27' International
Currently Looking...
Wilton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,711
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I too would go 19th. Once on 19th it gets a little tight since they are doing the retrofit on doyle drive. Just stay in the right lane there.. and once you get through the park stick yourself in the middle lane and cruise on through. Its easy just watch your mirrors and the busses. All of the places mentioned are ok to stay. The closer to the city if thats your recreation destination the better. Enjoy your stay.. and if something comes up and you need a hand just give a call.
Vin
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10-09-2010, 08:04 PM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
1979 29' Ambassador
Mobile
, Alabama
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 154
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Several years ago hubby and I drove through S.F. going north on 101. He looked for street lights and I looked for hwy. signs. Not a problem at all. Drove over Golden Gate Bridge...beautiful area. We stayed at Petaluma KOA. There are buses that come to the park that take you to designated areas. We chose to drive ourselves without a problem.
Whatever you decide...have a nice trip.
Predeta
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10-09-2010, 08:28 PM
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#9
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moderator
Commercial Member
2016 27' International
Currently Looking...
Wilton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,711
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Petaluma KOA is very nice I agree.. keep in mind its about 45 minutes without traffic into the heart of the city from there though and northbound traffic coming back up 101 to Petaluma can be a nightmare.
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10-09-2010, 11:54 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1959 26' Overlander
1960 24' Tradewind
1961 16' Bambi
Oakland
, California
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 758
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Straight Shot
We agree with the folks here. Gemma grew up in the city and Murray's lived here for over twenty years and we'd take 101S to 19th Avenue, through the park, to 280S to 1S. It's practically a straight shot or at least as straight a shot as you're ever going to get in San Francisco.
Best wishes for a great trip!
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Gemma and Murray
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10-10-2010, 05:34 AM
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#11
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Islander
2005 28' International CCD
Deer Harbor
, ORCAS ISLAND WA
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 981
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GG Bridge
We were just there,,,stayed at Bodega Bay and drove down and over the bridge and onto 19th street, no problem...went from there to Half Moon Bay for a nice stay at Pillar Point.....Can't wait to go back
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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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