California Camping in an RV - anyone done it?
Discussion
Stumps690 said:
jackal said:
Apologies for the sidetrack .... This might sound silly but do you have to all sit in seat with seatbelt when the RV is on the move ?
Also, what is the train to GC ? I am planning a similar trip, SF to Monterey to Santa Cruz, LA then Vegas -GC-death valley-Yosemite-SF but the problem ive got is that GC is such a huge tangent out eastwards. I almost tempted to skip it unless there is a decent way to come back to death valley via somewhere else ?
We did a two week trip last September, SF down highway 1 staying in big sur. we then jumped on the new highway and in 5 hours found ourselves in the nappa vally, we then went to Yosemite staying in camp curry - on to mammoth lakes then death vally through to Vegas, if your gonna be in LV take a chopper to he GC hour there, hour at the bottom then hour Back with a flight over the strip.Also, what is the train to GC ? I am planning a similar trip, SF to Monterey to Santa Cruz, LA then Vegas -GC-death valley-Yosemite-SF but the problem ive got is that GC is such a huge tangent out eastwards. I almost tempted to skip it unless there is a decent way to come back to death valley via somewhere else ?
If you go to big sur, stay at the glen oaks motor lodge it is awesome! http://www.glenoaksbigsur.com/
Best western in nappa http://www.roomstays.com/hotel/180712
Camp curry http://www.yosemitepark.com/curry-village.aspx
Cosmopolitan in Vegas. http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
If you have any questions just ask, my wife is a like a travel jedi!
Rollin said:
I've thought about this in the past but eventually couldn't see the point.
1. It is expensive. Not really, our 6 berth is cheaper than hiring a large SUV for 3 weeks, split between 4 people campgrounds are around £5 a night.
2. They are slow. Again not really, American cops are strict on speeding so you go with the flow regardless on what vehicle you are driving. Agreed they're not nimble but then neither is an Escalade.
3. There are some great driving roads that aren't going to be enjoyable in an RV. Agreed but you don't rent an RV for great driving roads
4. Motels are more comfortable and can be as remote as you want. I've also stayed in cabins on RV sites. Yes they can, they can also be expensive. The most expensive campground we stayed at was £50 a night and had pool, games room, launderette, shop, lounge, bar & a mini golf course. You dont get that with many motels.
5. They are a pain if you want to visit a city. Not nessacerily, do your research like i did and you can stay as close as you want. NYC we stayed in Jersey City, 5 min walk to the ferry and 5 min ferry to Wall Street and for £45 a night. Find a hotel in NYC for that. In San Francisco we're staying a 10 min walk from the ferry terminal across the bay
6. You have to empty the stter. Not always, last trip we didnt use it, campgrounds have excellent facilities, even state parks in the middle of nowhere. Even if you did use it, its nothing like a caravan loo, you connect a pipe from the RV to the sewer atachment on your site and pull a lever. No emptying elsans, your flush goes straigt into the sites sewer system
I've much preferred car, motels, cabins and buying a tent to do the "wilderness" bit. Sometimes it's best to ditch the motorised transport too!
It is what you make of it, if you like your cosy bed every night then yes hotels are for you but they can be lonely places. Campgrounds are designed for interaction, many run kids activities or have games for adults and campfires etc. 1. It is expensive. Not really, our 6 berth is cheaper than hiring a large SUV for 3 weeks, split between 4 people campgrounds are around £5 a night.
2. They are slow. Again not really, American cops are strict on speeding so you go with the flow regardless on what vehicle you are driving. Agreed they're not nimble but then neither is an Escalade.
3. There are some great driving roads that aren't going to be enjoyable in an RV. Agreed but you don't rent an RV for great driving roads
4. Motels are more comfortable and can be as remote as you want. I've also stayed in cabins on RV sites. Yes they can, they can also be expensive. The most expensive campground we stayed at was £50 a night and had pool, games room, launderette, shop, lounge, bar & a mini golf course. You dont get that with many motels.
5. They are a pain if you want to visit a city. Not nessacerily, do your research like i did and you can stay as close as you want. NYC we stayed in Jersey City, 5 min walk to the ferry and 5 min ferry to Wall Street and for £45 a night. Find a hotel in NYC for that. In San Francisco we're staying a 10 min walk from the ferry terminal across the bay
6. You have to empty the stter. Not always, last trip we didnt use it, campgrounds have excellent facilities, even state parks in the middle of nowhere. Even if you did use it, its nothing like a caravan loo, you connect a pipe from the RV to the sewer atachment on your site and pull a lever. No emptying elsans, your flush goes straigt into the sites sewer system
I've much preferred car, motels, cabins and buying a tent to do the "wilderness" bit. Sometimes it's best to ditch the motorised transport too!
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