2016 Trip Thoughts ?

[Ejs4029]

Trying to come up with idea for a vacation trip in September after Labor Day for approximately two weeks....Departing from Corona, CA in Southern CA....Looking at these two scenarios one is north thru CA to OR and the other is thru NV, UT to CO both are similar distances. My thoughts were to setup a base camp in Oregon and or Colorado and plan day trips depending what the areas have to offer.

The appeal of the OR trip is Crater Lake and being along the Coast and the CO trip is to visit old mining towns and western history. My DW and dogs prefer to camp in more scenic areas as opposed to parking lot camping that is common here in Southern CA. I am interested in hearing any ideas or suggestions from the forum members and those especially familiar with the areas I am looking at.

[Papa GLS]

Have been to Northern Cal., Oregon & Washington. Great trip; Redwood forest, Oregon coast, Welamette Valley, Colombia River Gorge all fantastic.

[ttincali]

I'm just up the road from you in Norco! I've done both similar trips. Last summer we hit Zion (Zion River RV park highly recommend) for 2 nights then went to Durango CO for 5 nights (Tons to do and a great base). We then headed south to the South Rim Grand Canyon for 2 nights before heading back home.

2 years ago we drove up to Crater Lake for 3 nights then over to Bandon Oregon right on the coast at Bullards Beach state park for 5 nights which was great. We took 3 days to drive home down the 101 along the coast which was amazing - so much to see. Even stopped in Sausalito and took a ferry into San Fran for half a day.

Both trips were amazing - can't go wrong with either.


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[Ejs4029]

Hi ttincali, Actually I'm in Eastvale so probably just West of you.....I think we are going to do the Oregon trip minus Crater lake so we will have more time on the Oregon and Northern CA coast..Do you camp anywhere locally ?

[ttincali]

Yes quite often. Some of our favs are Rancho Jarupa, Lake Skinner, Prado, Yucaipa, San Clemente state park, Crystal Cove - Moro campground in Laguna & Santee Lakes. We usually go on 2-3 big trips each year - Currently trying to plan our summer trip to Yellowstone & the Grand Tetons.

[YoungKopernik]

I love the Cal coast; out of Eureka near Trinidad is Agate Beach always fun to beach comb, Fort Brag has Glass Beach, and we love Redwood Nation Park the Elk, Fern Canyon and those trees. We did two days there and would love to get back and do 4 more. Somewhere up there is Seal Cave (tourist trap), we did it and wish we hadn’t. I forget all the light houses but the ones we went to were great. Someone mentioned Columbia Gorge, this is higher than your map shows but it is great I think we did 21 waterfalls in 7 miles. If you get up that far there are some Lewis and Clark historical sites too. I forgot oyster farms near Bodega Bay, we used to do quick trips to grab 100 oysters(clusters) for $20. We would get 500 and have a party.

I think you have way to many miles on Hwy 5, boring and hot, I understand the speed thing but its so awful until you get past Shasta even above there it is just nice. You might think of coming one direction through the Sierras, 395 is spectacular, 89 is fantastic, and 139 has some great places.I know these routs take more time and fuel but oh so memorable. 139, back side of Crater Lake goes down by Lava Tube National and Glass Mountain an area full of obsidian(don’t walk the dogs; SHARP). 89, I love Mt Lassen area volcanic activity, Burney falls and lots of stream fishing, Tahoe, Emerald Bay. Then 395has some great places like Groover hot springs, Bodie ghost town, Mono lake with tufa formations, wild mustangs, bristle pines(oldest trees?) , devils post pile, Yosemite(the upper part of Yosemite is spectacular) even Death Valley.

have a great time
John

[Ford Idaho]

We Spent a few days in the Crater Lake area last June Great place but crowded.

CG we stayed at was nice enough but the host lied about hookups so I will not suggest it.

Take the drive around the rim and then check the local history.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...FbvquNtmzgq1Vw

[greymedic]

How about Joshua Tree NP or Death Valley NP?


2015 Silverado gas ext cab 2500
2014 Flagstaff 8528IKWS

[Arenablanca]

I'd like to put in a plug for Colorado and Northern NM. Parts of Northern Colorado experience cooler weather at that time (some even get snow) but the leaves may be turning. Creed, Colorado has a mine tour. There is a really great narrow gauge railroad out of Chama, NM.

[Ejs4029]

Thanks for the ideas Joshua Tree is less then 100 Miles and Death Valley is about 270 miles from my home so I can do weekend trips there...So far it's looking like we will be heading north to Mt. Shasta and spending a few days before turning west and heading for the Oregon coast then start heading South back down into CA and heading home...I have 14 days my plan is to pick a few spots and spend a few days at each if possible I don't want to be packing up and traveling every other day.

[Canonman]

We can highly recommend both your ideas. The Oregon coast and back through Crater Lake is beautiful. We went last summer and plan to return again this year on the 4th to meet the kids/family at Tillicum Beach.
Southwestern Colorado and the San Juan mountains are also beautiful. Lots to see and do. Don't miss Mesa Verdi National Park. And, if you like "real" indian ruins take advantage of the Ute Mountain Tribal Park. Also in the area is Hovenweep National Monument. Check out my profile page for some photos of our recent trips to both places. The albums Vacation 2014, The Grand Loop, and Crater Lake should give you some idea of the different opportunities available. If you'd like some specific information you can PM us and we'd be happy to help.
Happy camping!

[Canonman]

A little more follow up, photos from Hovenweep, Mesa Verdi, and Crede Colorado

[bob caldwell]

X2......101 south from Oregon...

[Ejs4029]

Hi Bob, I'm looking at staying at a place called Oceanside Beach Front RV Resort in Coos Bay, OR that's probably about has far North in Oregon that I will make it are you familiar with that area ? The plan was to drive South from there....Are there any other towns along the 101 heading South that are appealing/interesting to spend a day or two in before getting back into CA ?

Once I get back into CA I was going to stay in Crescent City and Fortuna before heading home...Not sure the best way to get back to Southern CA from there...Looking at the map I was thinking about 36 to the 5 Freeway any ideas or thoughts appreciated.

[bob caldwell]

Any where south on 101 is nice.......I-5 is the quickest....leaves more time for 'sitt'n'....at Coos Bay, you'd have to head out to Charleston to be by the ocean....lots of state parks which are nice....

[bob caldwell]

If you take I-5 north to Sutherlin, then 138 west to 38, toward Reesport, then south on 101, you'll be following a river on 38

[Wandering]

Attachment 99298

Here's our late summer trip plan. We never stick to our plan tho, we tend to wander wherever the wind blows us !

Florida beach for spring break and Lake Erie for Memorial Day first!

Can't this snow melt a little quicker!


Forester 2451s

[Wandering]

This time with map!



Forester 2451s