Visit to S.F.

[kdcamper]

We will be going to visit San. Francisco area in Sept. of 2013, I was hoping for some help with nice campgrounds in the area and as much info
on the area as possible. from their we will be heading toward Vegas area.
all info will be greatly appreciated

kdcamper 2011 Chev 3500lt c.c
2013 Rockwood 8329SS Diamond pkge.
days camping 2013 6 and counting

[GilnJo]

We stayed at Costanoa resort over the July 4 weekend. It's a beautiful place along the coast about 50 miles south of SF; it's an easy day trip. Nearby towns of Pescadero and Half Moon Bay are nice to visit as well. It's a KOA facility with a lodge, restaurant/bar, and spa on the property as well. I recommend the Seascape loop. Full hookups at all sites.

The Pacifica RV "resort" is much closer to the City, but it's basically a parking lot on a bluff above the ocean. Its location is the best thing about it. We last stayed there about four years ago. It had fallen into disrepair and we left with no desire to return.

Others can provide suggestions for campgrounds north or east of the City. There should be lots of choices. Have a great trip!

[bikendan]

basically, there's no place IN S.F. to stay(though one member here argued that point, with everyone that attempted to help him).
you have to stay outside the City. Pacifica is well liked. Petaluma KOA is loved by those with families.
if you're into wine, Napa Valley has a number of places and is close to S.F.
Pleasanton has the Fairgrounds to stay at.
and there's Coyote Valley RV resort in Morgan Hill, south of San Jose.

[Sirsea]

We stayed at Napa Valley Expo (basically a county fairgrounds with various events during the year) in June 2011, nice level pull-thru concrete sites. Took the ferry across the bay to the wharf in SF, much easier than driving into the city and trying to find parking. Lots of good restaurants within walking distance plus cable car stations along the way.

[wifeytojosh]

We haven't visited too many campgrounds yet but I am from the SF Bay Area and now live about an hour from North Lake Tahoe. What route will you be taking once out of SF? You won't want to stay in the city but there are plenty of places to visit outside of SF. I currently live in the mountains above Sacramento so if you plan is to travel EB 80 into Nevada. I can recommend a few that we have personally stAyed at in our travel trailer.

[kdcamper]

first of all thanks for all info, just wondering about places and things to in and around San. Fran. I thought about heading toward Reno and then down to Vegas any thoughts and helpful info about that route would be appreciated.

kdcamper

[wifeytojosh]

Will you be wanting to stay at rv campgrounds along the way?

[wifeytojosh]

We will be going to Westport beach next week. It is probably about 90 miles north of SF on Highway 1. On the coast. I have never camped there but we are pretty excited. It was formally a KOA campground so it has full Hookups.

We live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada so Rollins Lake is about 5 minutes from our house but we have camped there too. We have stayed both on the Long Ravine side and the Orchard Springs side. Both are really nice but we preferred the Orchard Springs side. Ask for the site right next to the beach access. You will love it! I think it is space 258.

Also, if you go to Reno and have kids, stop at Wild Island waterside park. I believe it is in Sparks but it is right outside of Reno and near there is a RV park as well.

We camped at Cisco Grove several times and it was fun except the water is way too cold to go into. Great spot if you like hiking. That is along the way to Reno. It is before Truckee. Also Cisco grove allows off road vehicles to be driven right out of your campsite of you are brining one.

[Taylorgso]

We liked Olema Ranch campground - North of San Fran in Marin County. Near Point Reyes S.P., Easy drive into San Fran. All the amenities., and when we were there it was very clean and well maintained, level sites.

[kdcamper]

We will be camping all the way there and all the way home. hope to be on the road for 4 weeks or so. No longer have to worry about kids. Hope to leave around Sept. 9/13 is it still busy around San Fran. area or do you think we have to book. never been to the area except to drive through the area on our way home from LA. Should have taken some time then to visit the area.

kdcamper

[wifeytojosh]

Do you depend on Hookups? Or are you able to dry camp if needed? There are plenty of campgrounds where you probably don't need a reservation if you are dry camping but if you are looking to stay at the coast, reservations are recommended. They fill up pretty quick. Because it is September, it may not be as busy but camping season lasts for a really long time here because the weather is nice all the way up until December and sometimes beyond that. There is so much to choose from in California and Nevada. You shouldn't have a problem at all finding places to set up camp. Have fun :-)

[emtdave]

Can recomend Doran Park in Bodega Bay, its part of the the Sonoma County Park system. You will have to dry camp, no hookups, but they do have water to fill your tank and a dump station. Bring your generator. Nice sites and a great beach area.

We lived near the San Francisco RV Resort in Pacifica. Good access to San Fran, but in no way can you consider it a "Resort". Large paved parking lot with RV sites. Overlooks the Pacific, great views and long flights of stairs to the beach. Not far from Rockaway Beach and the Devils Slide area of the Pacific Coast Highway, (PCH).

We spent a lot time camping north of San Francisco along the PCH, near Fort Bragg and Mendocino. Traveled in a 24ft Class C with a toad. PCH can be intimidating towing a RV.

Have a good trip and ejoy.

Dave

[wifeytojosh]

Ugh! Devil's slide. My sister gave me a short cut once to avoid devil's slide. It is a back road that goes for miles and then puts you back out on to hwy 1 near Jenner. I don't know the name of the road but if you have a detailed map, you can or probably figure it out. The PP is right, that part of hwy 1 is very intimidating driving an rv. We are headed to Westport Beach near ft. Bragg tomorrow and avoiding that part all together. !

[fbconsults]

Candlestick RV Park is right downtown, it is a parking lot, but convenient to public transportation (parking is hard to find and expensive in SF). SFRV Park in Pacifica is on a bluff above the ocean, but is still a parking lot. I have stayed in both, but not for a couple of years, so I don't know their current condition. Since you are not going to live in either place, pick one and enjoy the sights, then go to Lake Tahoe.

The Tahoe Valley Campground in South Lake Tahoe is nice. We were just there, caught some nice lake trout, beautiful weather. If you want to go to Reno, it is an easy drive. From Reno go south on US 395, beautiful drive through the Eastern Sierras. In Bishop, the Highlands RV Park is nice. From there, you can head to Las Vegas via Death Valley or stay on 395 south to I-15 via Hwy 58 to Barstow.

If you decide to go through Death Valley, take 190 from 395 at Independence. That takes you through the main part of Death Valley; Stove Pipe Wells and Furnace Creek, then out of the valley on 190, joins with 127 south, go to Shoshone, then east on 178 to Parumph, then south on 160 to Vegas. This is the scenic route, the pass into Death Valley is fairly steep and winding, but any rig can do it, just take your time. Check out the route on a good California map. This is a very scenic route.

In Las Vegas, we stay at Sam's Town, they have a nice RV Park on Boulder Highway on the east side of town. Good public transportation access to the strip or downtown. There are other parks of course, Circus Circus is on the strip, but another parking lot.

Lots of choices, we have made that trip many times, and those are our preferences.

Good Luck and Happy Trails, Forrest

[JLeising]

X2 on Doran Park Bodega Bay. Tunnels bypassing Devil's Slide now open. Several places to camp in Half Moon Bay. Some state or city beaches with camping no hookups (eg Francis Beach CG or HMB State Beach CG); some commercial with full hookups (eg Pelican Point).

[shineysideup]

Originally Posted by bikendan

basically, there's no place IN S.F. to stay(though one member here argued that point, with everyone that attempted to help him).
you have to stay outside the City. Pacifica is well liked. Petaluma KOA is loved by those with families.
if you're into wine, Napa Valley has a number of places and is close to S.F.
Pleasanton has the Fairgrounds to stay at.
and there's Coyote Valley RV resort in Morgan Hill, south of San Jose.

If you are headed to San Fran to see the city I would highly recommend the Petaluma KOA. They offer a sight seeing tour from the campground that is well worth the time and money.

We were there last week, "John" was our tour guide, it was a great tour as he was born and raised in San Fran. It isn't the cheapest place to stay but it is well taken care of. Of course, right now there is kids everywhere due to summer break but that should ease up in September.

[kdcamper]

fbconsults.

How would we get from S.F. to Death Valley, that seems a good way to go.


kdcamper

(Ken&Deb)

[fbconsults]

kdcapmper, from SF, get on the 80 east, to Sacramento. If you are going via South Lake Tahoe, transition to the 50 east, which will take you directly into South Lake Tahoe, and the Tahoe Valley Campground is just off of the 50. From there, you can take the 50 into the Reno area, where you get on the 395 south as I described earlier.

If you want to bypass South Lake Tahoe, and go straight to Reno from San Francisco, stay on the 80 through Sacramento and it will take you directly into Reno where you can get on the 395 south as described earlier. Just off the 80 just before you get into Reno, there is a Terrible's Gold Ranch RV Park and Casino, in Verdi. From there you can explore Reno. There are other camping options in Reno, but that one is convenient and right on the interstate. It to, is a parking lot, but most are.

Happy Trails, Forrest

[fbconsults]

kdcamper, PS: It will still be hot in Death Valley in September, so be prepared. Nothing a person can't handle, but it may very well be in the 100s.

Happy Trails, Forrest

[kdcamper]

fbconsults - Just wandering if their is a different route to Death Valley or is this the best way to go. As we will be entering Cal. from the Reno area.
You must be able to read minds. The DW and I were just talking about the weather. Our weather in Cen. E. Sk. Canada has not been all that great to date.

What about fuel - gas stations
also we pull a 35' tt is this a problem with cc or the roads.

thanks for all the great info - keep it coming more info is better than none.

kdcamper
(Ken & Deb)