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Old 01-31-2019, 01:32 PM   #1
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Suggestions for roads and campgrounds on west coast

We are on a long trip during May and June with friends starting in May. However they will be leaving us in Coos Bay OR and we will be going on from there south along the coast into CA. We will be heading east towards Truckee CA and want to end up there by June 28th. Any suggestions on RV campgrounds, sites and good routes for a 40' 5th wheel. Thanks.
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Old 02-01-2019, 10:43 AM   #2
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Looks like you can take I5 about 1/2 of the way. I'm not sure about the remainder.

But, I'm really just bumping this so hopefully someone familiar with northern California sees it.
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Old 02-01-2019, 10:50 AM   #3
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We are on a long trip during May and June with friends starting in May. However they will be leaving us in Coos Bay OR and we will be going on from there south along the coast into CA. We will be heading east towards Truckee CA and want to end up there by June 28th. Any suggestions on RV campgrounds, sites and good routes for a 40' 5th wheel. Thanks.
Easiest way is I5 south 80 east. Almost a straight shot
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Old 02-01-2019, 02:27 PM   #4
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Assuming youre taking 101 south, go to just past Petaluma, then take 37 east to Vallejo, which ends at I80 East to Sacramento.
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Old 02-01-2019, 02:49 PM   #5
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Assuming youre taking 101 south, go to just past Petaluma, then take 37 east to Vallejo, which ends at I80 East to Sacramento.
Yes, that's the best route. You may want to get off the 101 on Lakeville Hwy from Petaluma to 37.

The best advise is always watch the 10 day forecast. You can always get into trouble in the high elevations.
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Old 02-01-2019, 02:53 PM   #6
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Yes, that's the best route. You may want to get off the 101 on Lakeville Hwy from Petaluma to 37.
That's what we used, when we lived in Napa. But it's a little more complicated, for non-locals, than just getting on the 37.
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Old 02-01-2019, 03:44 PM   #7
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Thank you for the replies but I have a question. Looking at the map. Why are you sending me so far south before going east towards Truckee. Is there a problem heading east on 20 towards Yuba City? Then south on 6t towards 80? Thank you
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Old 02-01-2019, 03:57 PM   #8
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Thank you for the replies but I have a question. Looking at the map. Why are you sending me so far south before going east towards Truckee. Is there a problem heading east on 20 towards Yuba City? Then south on 6t towards 80? Thank you
Mainly because you haven't even said which coast route you were taking(Highway 1 or 101 all the way) nor that you wanted a scenic route or shortest route.

Yes, Highway 20 from Redwood Valley to I5 to I80, is the shortest and fastest route.
You DON'T want to go to Yuba City. I5 to I 80 is easier and faster.
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Old 02-01-2019, 04:04 PM   #9
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Thank you for the information. I didn't mean to be unclear about our plans. We don't want to go as far south as San Francisco so looks like your route of 20 to I5 to 80 to Truckee will work.

Now we will have to work on places to see along our route from Coos Bay and good RV parks to stay.
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Old 02-01-2019, 07:12 PM   #10
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Thank you for the information. I didn't mean to be unclear about our plans. We don't want to go as far south as San Francisco so looks like your route of 20 to I5 to 80 to Truckee will work.

Now we will have to work on places to see along our route from Coos Bay and good RV parks to stay.
Our favorite Oregon coast campground, is Harris Beach SP. Some view sites have cable tv.
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Old 02-02-2019, 01:44 PM   #11
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Thank you for the information. I didn't mean to be unclear about our plans. We don't want to go as far south as San Francisco so looks like your route of 20 to I5 to 80 to Truckee will work.

Now we will have to work on places to see along our route from Coos Bay and good RV parks to stay.
We stayed at Seven Feathers, very, very nice full hook RV Resort and they have a Casino.
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Old 02-02-2019, 03:35 PM   #12
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South from Coos Bay

South of Coos Bay is Brookings Or. We really like the Beach Front RV camp ground: beachfrontrv@port-brookings-harbor.org
It is not what would be called deluxe but it is right on the ocean and you can fish, kayak, paddle board, surf or just relax and enjoy the ocean view.

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Old 02-02-2019, 04:10 PM   #13
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If taking some time to experience the stunning redwoods is of interest, as it should be, the KOA just north of Crescent City is a perfect stopover.
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Old 02-02-2019, 08:56 PM   #14
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We, have stayed at Alder Acres RV Park in Coos Bay and really like it. If you stay on 101 South along the coast of Oregon, there are dozens of good RV Parks before you get to California. Our favorite RV Parks in NorCal include Mad River Rapids RV Park near Arcata and ; Eureka; Riverwalk RV in Fortuna; and Pomo RV Park in Fort Bragg. If you decide to head east to visit parks such as Lassen Volcanic, there is a really nice KOA on SR 44 in Shingletown just out side the park. If you decide to visit Lassen, you can take US Route 89 south all the way to Truckee. It is one of the more beautiful scenic drives in the state.
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Old 02-02-2019, 09:07 PM   #15
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However you get to Truckee, I recommend staying at https://www.bing.com/search?q=trucke...&setlang=en-US
There are large sites and convent to this area.
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Old 02-03-2019, 08:54 AM   #16
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If taking some time to experience the stunning redwoods is of interest, as it should be, the KOA just north of Crescent City is a perfect stopover.
I grew up in N CA. If it were me from Crescent City Id continue S on US 101 to Eureka. This will take you through some of the most beautiful portions of the redwoods. Id stay off of US Hwy 1 because it is a VERY beautiful road but with a 40' camper behind you it will be VERY slow because it is to twisty and winding.

While in Eureka go to eat at the Samoan Cookhouse. It is on the island of Samoa just off Eureka and is in the original cookhouse for the loggers when Samoa was a logging camp. The food is served family style at tables and is an all you can eat of whatever they happen to be serving that meal. They still cook on the original wood fired stoves used when it was a logging camp.

It is Quite an experience that I have never had anywhere else! They also have an interesting museum from the logging days.

Welcome to the Historic Samoa Cookhouse - Since 1890 on California's North Coast


Then E on CA 299 to Redding and S on Hwy 99 to Oroville you can spend a night and take a short side trip to Cherokee There is a small museum there showing you how they used Hydraulic mining to literally wash away a mountain to get the gold before that practice was banned.

The side of the mountain is still vertical,NOTHING grows there still. The sluice box for that mine was 5 miles long. You will understand how the world was being raped in the quest for gold.

There are several routes to Truckee from Oroville but ID suggest CA 70 south to Yuba City and then and to Auburn where you can pick up Hwy 80 to Truckee.

DO NOT fail to visit Donner State Park. It is a memorial to the Donner Party, a wagon train, which was trapped in that location due to the heavy early snowfall in the winter of 1846-47.

One of the most telling items is a statue of a pioneer family standing atop a pedestal 22' tall. The pedestal shows you how deep the snow got that winter while they were trapped..........It is a real eye opener to what those people had to endure.

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=503

Have Fun you can see some VERY beautiful and historic things on that trip if you have the time.
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Old 02-03-2019, 09:43 AM   #17
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299 looks really curvy. Is it an ok road to travel with our 40' 5th wheel? Thank you so much for the information. It is just what we are looking for.
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Old 02-03-2019, 10:11 AM   #18
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299 looks really curvy. Is it an ok road to travel with our 40' 5th wheel? Thank you so much for the information. It is just what we are looking for.
It is curvy because it follows a river through the mountains but it is not a narrow road. Very doable with ur camper, have done it myself.

Let me now how you liked the things I suggested after you have done them. I actually grew up in Chico and Paradise.

And before someone asks, yes, I have family who were living in Paradise when the Camp fire struck. Luckily they all got out OK but 22 have 8 houses burned to the ground.
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Old 02-03-2019, 10:37 AM   #19
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Douglas, have a cousin we are close with from Magalia, also lost it all. The only recognizable thing left was her “excersize bike from hell”. Fortunately for them, they work at an archery range in the lower elevations and had just left the day before in their car when this happened. Their 5th wheel is set up down there, but the truck was at the house. He was looking to get a new one, so he got his excuse.

We had visited them again this past summer. Such a lovely area.
My heart and prayers go out to all those affected.
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Old 02-03-2019, 10:44 AM   #20
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Douglas, have a cousin we are close with from Magalia, also lost it all. The only recognizable thing left was her “excersize bike from hell”. Fortunately for them, they work at an archery range in the lower elevations and had just left the day before in their car when this happened. Their 5th wheel is set up down there, but the truck was at the house. He was looking to get a new one, so he got his excuse.

We had visited them again this past summer. Such a lovely area.
My heart and prayers go out to all those affected.
Many Thanks for the thoughts and Prayers!

It was a lovely area. It will be again but it will be a long time til it is rebuilt for a myriad of reasons.

My oldest son lives in Cohasset (1 ridge over) and he did not have to evacuate. He was angry at my ex wife for taking the time to connect her Tiny House, before leaving. Turns out she was very wise because she is now living in that 19' camper in my youngest sons driveway (Chico) until she can get a new house built in Chico.

My greatest blessing is nobody got injured, but it will be Years before most of them are back to a "normal" life. The news media has moved on, but the rebuilding will take a long time.
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