CA Coast Trip

[Ducksquasher]

Hey All!

Looking at taking the RV up the coast, seeing the sites, doing some fishing and bumming around. This is a part of Cali we haven't explored like other parts. Never been to the Redwoods and so on. I have heard that the 101 is a bit "treacherous" towing so thinking maybe going up the 5 and around those parts and cutting over to stay on the coast and then day tripping from there, etc.?

Who's done what and whatcha got?

Thanks!

 

[Aces & Eights]

Following.

I’ve been in SoCal my whole life and still haven’t ventured up to the central coast. Definitely on my bucket list, will be in a car or truck, sight seeing and staying in hotels along the way. Looking forward to the recommendations.

 

[NicPaus]

I would go up the coast to Morro Bay. Then head inland to Paso Robles and then go north from there. Cut back to the coast.

I drove from Morro Bay to Monterey a few years ago. The coast route. It took 2 1/2 times longer than I expected. Took the other route back.

 

[Ducksquasher]

I would go up the coast to Morro Bay. Then head inland to Paso Robles and then go north from there. Cut back to the coast.

I drove from Morro Bay to Monterey a few years ago. The coast route. It took 2 1/2 times longer than I expected. Took the other route back.

How was the 101 for towing up to Morro Bay?

 

[NicPaus]

How was the 101 for towing up to Morro Bay?

Not bad. I used to tow my toyhauler up that way to Naci all the time. Between Morro Bay and Monterey is the stretch to avoid.

 

[Meaney77]

A few years ago my wife and kids spent a week at Lake Tahoe over the 4th of July.

We spent a few days in Mammoth on our way up from So Cal. On our way home, we stopped in Santa Cruz and stayed there. It was really cool and close to the Board Walk-https://www.santacruzredwoodsrvresort.com/

Lots of cool stuff to do and see ion the Central Coast
Pismo Dunes
Lake Nacimeinto
Wine tasting in Paso- CavaRobles-https://www.sunoutdoors.com/california/sun-outdoors-paso-robles
Morro Bay-https://www.flyingflagsavilabeach.com/
Flying Flags in Buellton-https://flyingflags.com/

 

[NicPaus]

I have not drove the 5 or 99 up to Norcal in a long time.

My Mom just told me I have to drive her to Chico tomorrow. So I can update tomorrow night on how the 5 is all the way up.

Stocking materials on jobs and debating going and buying a new truck so I don't have to drive her mini truck Tacoma or my reg cab 2500hd. 500 Miles each way i need some room.

 

[elco]

Were doing this trip next week in a small class c we rented.

We're heading up the coast to Morro Bay, staying at the Morro Dunes rv park right on the beach. Day 2 we head to Big Sur. Highway 1 is closed so from Morro bay we head to the 101 and down to big sur from Salinas. Spending two nights in big sur at the riverside campground that has an rv spot right on a small river. On the way back home we're stopping for a night in Santa Barbara then head home. 4 nights five days and only about 3 hours of driving on the travel days.

No real plans for any stops but we will play it by ear and just make stops at anything that seems worthwhile. Hearst Castle is a pretty cool stop, lots of wineries in Paso Robles, may run by Pismo or Stop by Solvang for Lunch.

 

[Ducksquasher]

I have not drove the 5 or 99 up to Norcal in a long time.

My Mom just told me I have to drive her to Chico tomorrow. So I can update tomorrow night on how the 5 is all the way up.

Stocking materials on jobs and debating going and buying a new truck so I don't have to drive her mini truck Tacoma or my reg cab 2500hd. 500 Miles each way i need some room.

Thank you!

 

[Ducksquasher]

Were doing this trip next week in a small class c we rented.

We're heading up the coast to Morro Bay, staying at the Morro Dunes rv park right on the beach. Day 2 we head to Big Sur. Highway 1 is closed so from Morro bay we head to the 101 and down to big sur from Salinas. Spending two nights in big sur at the riverside campground that has an rv spot right on a small river. On the way back home we're stopping for a night in Santa Barbara then head home. 4 nights five days and only about 3 hours of driving on the travel days.

No real plans for any stops but we will play it by ear and just make stops at anything that seems worthwhile. Hearst Castle is a pretty cool stop, lots of wineries in Paso Robles, may run by Pismo or Stop by Solvang for Lunch.

Sweet...enjoy your trip.

 

[v6toy4x]

Do your homework on the coast route, if you aren't pushed for time run the coast as far as you can, not sure what "towing" means, 20 foot bumper pull or a 40' toyhauler. Either 99 or 5 are about as boring as it gets. 99 around fresno north is rougher than shit, and on 5 you get to follow all the semis playing leap frog with each other at 5mph faster than one another on all of the 2 lanes stretches, oh and can you say straight like put a bungee on the wheel straight (boring) flat farm land. If you are out to see the coast then run it as far as you can, no guts no glory!! JMO

 

[Ducksquasher]

Do your homework on the coast route, if you aren't pushed for time run the coast as far as you can, not sure what "towing" means, 20 foot bumper pull or a 40' toyhauler. Either 99 or 5 are about as boring as it gets. 99 around fresno north is rougher than shit, and on 5 you get to follow all the semis playing leap frog with each other at 5mph faster than one another on all of the 2 lanes stretches, oh and can you say straight like put a bungee on the wheel straight (boring) flat farm land. If you are out to see the coast then run it as far as you can, no guts no glory!! JMO

Fair enough...good point.

 

[Caydens Cat]

Not bad. I used to tow my toyhauler up that way to Naci all the time. Between Morro Bay and Monterey is the stretch to avoid.

Think you’re confusing 101 and 1. 101 for the most part from Carpentaria to Gilroy-ish is a 4 lane highway. The 1/Coast Highway is the one thats a slow route on the edge of the mountains, beautiful coast but slow and winding. You’ll have zero issues pulling anything on the 101 (I think there’s like 2 mild grades).

 

[NicPaus]

Think you’re confusing 101 and 1. 101 for the most part from Carpentaria to Gilroy-ish is a 4 lane highway. The 1/Coast Highway is the one thats a slow route on the edge of the mountains, beautiful coast but slow and winding. You’ll have zero issues pulling anything on the 101 (I think there’s like 2 mild grades).

Your correct. I wasn't sure. Just implying the route up the coast. Past Morro Bay which would be where you transition to the 1. Is the part to avoid. Before that 101 is easy.

It would be a decision of time. Whether to drive up the 5 to Salinas and cut over. Or take 101 then cut through paso and jump on the 5 up.

Personally I would take 101. Stay the night in Morro Bay, paso or Atascadero. Hit up Firestone walker or a brewery first day or night and then continue on up the next day.

 

[RogerThat99]

Hey All!

Looking at taking the RV up the coast, seeing the sites, doing some fishing and bumming around. This is a part of Cali we haven't explored like other parts. Never been to the Redwoods and so on. I have heard that the 101 is a bit "treacherous" towing so thinking maybe going up the 5 and around those parts and cutting over to stay on the coast and then day tripping from there, etc.?

Who's done what and whatcha got?

Thanks!

If you are going all the way up to Humboldt County area, I would take the 101. If you cut over from I-5 on Hwy 299, it is long and windy. Hwy 36 is much worse. I drive both all the time, but in a car.

 

[DLC]

We took the 5 north then jumped on the 101 on the N side of San Francisco

our thinking is to get as far away as possible then work your way back down

our far away point was Crescent City for a couple days

we took a jet boat tour up the river
drove thru the Jedediah Smith state park ( that’s where they filmed return if the Jedi - Ewok forest scenes )
coastal redwoods are amazing
‘there is a coastal route west of the 101 that is just awesome! Right on the water on the side of a cliff you can see old WW2 gun bunkers not much left but the structure

we stayed at the Ramblin Redwoods RV park.

Ramblin' Redwoods Campground | Crescent City, CA

Explore Ramblin' Redwoods Campground in Crescent City, CA. Offering RV sites, tent camping, and cabins, our campground is nestled in the majestic redwoods. Book today to experience nature and adventure on the Northern California coast.

ramblinredwoodsrv.com

it’s all wooded and out of town, but quiet, we spent all day out and about

there us a lot to do along the redwood highway
skunk train
Paul Bunion area
drive thru giant redwood

its beautiful and nothing else like it !

 

[DLC]

We took
5 n
to 580
to 680
to 580
to 101

on the way back we took the 101 and drive over Golden Gate Bridge and followed the coast south