5 Week trip to CA

My family and I are taking a top to bottom trip to California this summer.  We've got some definite spots we'd like to hit but have a lot of the time unscheduled and will just figure out where we want to go based upon what we find.

I'm not too familiar with CA as it pertains to motorhome camping.  We have a 39' DP. 

My question is this.  It s it reasonable to assume that we will be able to boondock overnight?  I don't want to have to plan where we will stay every night of the trip.  I'd like to have the flexibility to stop and stay anywhere we want as long as we want without worrying about being at a specific campground on a specific day.

It seems from my research that big rigs aren't accommodated at many (most) of the state and federal campgrounds and I'm a little worried about being able to find vacancies at private campgrounds.

Past trips we've had good success booking the big destination on our trip and just winging it in between.  We have reservations at Lower Pines in Yosemite but that's it so far.  I'll probably book something for San Francisco and San Diego too but would like that to be the extent of our forced schedule.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Being a native Californian all my life, here's what I can tell you.  You are correct that getting into the federal and state campgrounds with a 39' rig is difficult.  My experience has been that the private campgrounds/resorts are much more accommodating to the larger rigs AND the availability is better.  Certainly reservations are better, but many time they have spaces available even at the last minute, and there are lots of cancellations.  Because of the difficulties you are talking about, most Californians make reservations many months out so as not to get shut out if they want to go.  Then as the time approaches, if they can't go, they cancel.  Often at no fee if it's 72 hours in advance.

That said, here are some places we know of that generally have availability; Flying Flags RV Resort, Buellton, CA (Just north of Santa Barbara, on Hwy 101).  Chula Vista RV Resort, Chula Vista, CA (Just south of San Diego on Hwy 5).  Gotta run.  I will post again later with more suggestions.

Steve

We're in Northern CA, and as Steve mentioned, many state and federal campgrounds that we've been to would be a little tight for a 39 footer, but not impossible. Hookups are not available at many state and federal parks in our area. but almost all have dump stations and water available. I think you will find that from about Sunday afternoons to mid week it will be easier to get into campgrounds without reservations than on weekends, so you might want to think more in the line of RV parks, or maybe Casino RV parks over weekends. If you do want to stay at campgrounds over the weekends, try and arrive on about a Thursday. There are usually sites that aren't reserved, but fill up fast.

We usually prefer to camp at the National and State Parks because we have plenty of room between us and our neighbors rather than at an RV park with hookups and neighbors within reaching distance from your RV. We do drive a 30' RV which does make it easier to get in and maneuver though. I have stayed in a couple places where even we had some tight spots in a getting around the campground so a 39' would be even tougher.

Mammoth is a great place to stay a couple days and they have a shuttle service that is free and will take you all over the Mammoth area. We have stayed at the Old Shady campground and loved it and it is right across the street from a shopping center and the shuttle stop is there as well so easy access to get around without your RV. We live in the desert region of southern California so Mammoth is a cool retreat for us in the summer.

Josh

Mike,
Speaking solely about SoCal I am not aware of anyplace you can boondock outside of the desert and if you are coming in the summer I would advise you do not try that unless its for a night or two as temperatures will be 100+.  None of the state parks I have been to would accommodate a 39" rig so I think you will save time by concentrating on commercial parks.  The closer to the coast you are expect to pay proportionately higher. California is a big state so you might consider splitting it into three parts (south, middle and north) and approach it in that manner.

Summer in California CG space is at a premium. Most CGs are booked up 6 months in advance. If you are traveling down the coast, you'd be wise to only move mid-week and stay put Friday - Sunday morning. If you show-up without reservations, you won't be alone. A lot of people (even locals) move up & down the coast and try to pick of cancellations. It can be done but it could get tuff. Many CA Walmarts don't allow over-night parking and parking on the street (over-night) isn't allowed. However, some do it and all the CHP does is wake you up and make you move on. If it's posted "No Parking" (after a certain time), you will get sighted ($150 I think).

Morro Bay State Park is a great place to stop for a few days and a lot of the sites will accommodate your rig easy (although they may say 35').
http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/Morro_Bay_Sp/r/campsiteSearch.do?site=all&type=9&minimal=no&search=site&criteria=new&contractCode=CA&parkId=120059&search=site

Moving South, just before Santa Barbara is Jalama Beach:
http://countyofsb.org/parks/parks01.aspx?id=9402

You will think that you've died and gone to heaven there, if you like the ocean view. This CG is 14 miles off Hwy 101 and has a number of 1st-come, 1st-served sites. Most sites will accommodate your rig and bigger. Showing up on Tuesday or Wed (EARLY) should get you a site.

As you move South, there are a number of Beach front CG, none being more than 5 miles apart. I would think that showing up early mid-week would net you a spot. I think that every other CG may have sites too small for your rig but a number of them do. Rinkon is a popular place for people that are looking for cancellations.

Go on ReserveAmerica and make a list of the State CG along the coast (if that's what you want) and study them.

Don't hold me to this but generally speaking when CA State CGs list a max length for a particular site.... that is the length from the road edge to the tire stops. in MOST (not all) cases, you could easily fit in a 35' site. A buddy of mine has a 40' Class A and we have camped together in nearly every CG up & down the coast (with the exception of a few).

A place that we frequent most is Point Mugu, just south of Oxnard. They have a 35' limit but half the CG has Class A's and even 5vers over 40'. The actual spaces are all 60' long. Rinkon is the same way.

Another favorite spot (near San Diego) is San Elijo State Beach. They list their largest sites as 35' also and there are always rigs there well over 40'. Several of the sites along the bluff (beach front ) will accommodate 2, 45' rigs with ease. They won't come out and measure your coach but you do have to get it off of the road.

I live in central California and moved from the San Diego area a few years ago.  You will have problems trying to boondock anywhere in California.  It is very much frowned upon.  So, my suggestion is to start making reservations, California is a big tourist destination point in the summer, especially San Diego.  You will need reservations in certain areas and times of the week.

Near Bodega Bay is Doran County Park.  It is great, no hook-ups, but it between a "spit" and the harbor....great camping and it will take your 39'.  We were there with a 36 with a tow.  Here is their website:  http://http://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Get_Outdoors/Parks/Doran_Regional_Park.aspx
There is also Bodega Bay RV park, but I've not personally stayed there. 

If you plan to spend some time in San Diego, the Chula Vista RV park is very very nice; close to the Zoo, Sea World and Sea Village.
If you are traveling down highway 99, Bakersfield RV off of White and on Wible road is very nice and has a great restaurant.

Marsha~

We stay a lot in California state parks. Many will fit a rig your size (Anza Borrego, San Clemente, San Onofre, others), many will not. Many of the California state parks on the beach are converted parking lots. You are smack-dab next to your neighbors, the sites are short, and they are typically FULL in the summer, but dang they're right on the beach and the views are awesome. If you don't want to make reservations, then I'd concentrate on private campgrounds. Maybe call a state park if you know when you're going to be in an area and see if they have a spot. A lot of the state parks will have a spot available for a night or two. Boondocking is iffy, maybe an occasional Walmart, rest stop, roadside pullout, but not many.


California is a state full of spectacular scenery and lots to do. Enjoy it.


Wendy

If you are going to be in the Sierras around Truckee, there is a camp ground called Granite Flat right on the Truckee river on South 89 just a couple of miles south of I-80 that we have used often as a base camp to see Tahoe City, Reno, Truckee, and the surrounding areas. It's right on highway 89, but you still don't get a lot of noise. I believe it's national and they usually have a few open spaces. There's also a National park at Stampede Reservoir not too far from there that is nice and a lot more secluded. They usually have some open spaces if you don't want to be close to the lake.

Thanks for all the input.  Based on your all your info  I booked everything ahead for the California portion of the trip. 

From FL to AZ things are completely open.  We'll just play it by ear through that part of the trip.