Warm destination near CA Bay Area for April trip?

[Jon of Los Gatos]

I am novice RVer looking for a warm destination near the SF Bay Area for an early April trip.

I had planned the Central Coast, but the weather is looking to be in the low 60's with possible rain. The rain would be the killer part...

With a nature-loving 6 yr old on-board, outdoors time, hiking, and great scenery are the goal.

Worst case, I'd head for the desert north of Los Angeles, but it's a long drive from the Bay Area.

Your ideas on reliably warm spots within an easy day's drive of the SF Bay Area would be most welcome! (rig is a 29' Thor Ace)

Thanks!

- Jon 

 

[JCZ]

Jon, not sure what you consider close.  But you might consider Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, etc.  April is always possible rain in Nor Cal but doesn't look like we're going to get much this year.

Much closer but yet away from the ocean....San Juan Bautista, Pinnacles National Monument (that's a nice drive this time of year, south out of Hollister through Tres Pinos on Ca25 south.

A really nice drive, if you have the time....stay on that same road south.  At Ca 198 continue straight on across and keep going (it becomes Peach Tree Rd) all the way to Parkfield, Ca. 

Parkfield is billed as the Earthquake Capitol of the World.  Start early enough in the morning from Los Gatos and you can be in Parkfield in time for lunch.  Do a google search on Parkfield...very interesting.  Here's their reviews...  http://www.yelp.com/biz/parkfield-inn-and-cafe-parkfield-2

And a photo report of a group that I led down there last May, following the route that I just suggested....  http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=73732.msg1014957#msg1014957

 

[Tom and Margi]

There are many recreational lakes in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys (sometimes collectively referred to as the Central Valley).  This website provides a good summary description of those lakes.  http://www.carevealed.com/lake_cv.php

Another idea might be the foothill Gold Country.  (Jamestown, Plymouth, Angel's Camp, etc.)

Margi

 

[Wendy]

I second Pinnacles. Haven't been there in a very long time and it looks like they've done a lot to it, including a campground with electric hookups ! Bats and Bees and Caves and Trees. I'm putting it on my To Visit list.

Wendy

 

[JCZ]

Jon, another location that's approx. 2 1/2-3 hrs. drive from LG is Gold Country Campgrounds in Pine Grove, Ca. (Hwy. 88 just a few miles above Jackson).  There is plenty for the kids to do there!    http://www.goldcountrycampground.com/

 

[Tom]

An easy drive from the Bay area would be Del Valle Regional Park outside Livermore. Used to be a favorite of ours until we moved to Livermore.

 

[Tom]

A little further afield would be Nevada County fairgrounds.

 

[Lou Schneider]

Worst case, I'd head for the desert north of Los Angeles, but it's a long drive from the Bay Area.

Check the weather before you head out - today I had to make a trip to Mojave (the town) and I thought I was in the middle of a hurricane.  Except there was no rain and the temperatures were in the low 60s at best.

 

[justin82]

There are a few places to stay in the Santa Cruz area.  It is probably closer to home than you would prefer but there are a few camp grounds in the Fleton area that offer the giant sequoia trees.