We are NZ expats returning home from the UK and planning to stop in California for 16 nights on the way. After spending a couple of nights adjusting our time clocks we would like to hire a RV and hit the main sights of California. There will be four of us: my husband, me, a six year old boy and an 18 month old baby. We have resources but the trip is part of a much longer one so we are still price sensitive.
I have been looking in books etc but have a few questions:
Which are national parks would you recommend as the must see places in California. Is Yosemite so amazing that it is worth the crowds?
Do we really need to book our RV spots now (as some sources reccommend)? We though one of the attractions of an RV would be that we could be more spontaneous but it seems not.
Which National parks are the best for visiting in RVs and for people with a limited ability to hike (because of the baby)? Our aim is to go places were we can camp in beautiful surroundings and hang out with the kids. We would like to see things but are also very realistic about the constraints of an 18 month old/
Will it be too hot to stay in Death Valley at the beginning of June. Should we avoid it?
Any advice on the best RV place to stay for San Franciso? We would really like to stay about 3 nights so we can explore the city. We hear it is pretty good for families.
Is it worth going to Lake Taho? It looks lovely but we have a lot of nice lakes at home too.
Any advice on the best place for us to stay on the San F - LA coast.
Whether we should to go to the Sonoma Valley or is that really only for couples with lots of time and inclination to visit vineyards (us in a previous life)
Is Medocino worth the drive north of San Franciso or should we stick with the area below San Francisco?
Any particular safety issues about RVs. Places we should avoid because of difficult roads, traffic etc.
Finally this question also relates to RV hire. We have found a number of places to hire from but are nervous about insurance. We assumed that we would pay the CDW of 20 $ a night but even that only covers certain damage to our own vehicle, not others and carries a $2500 which seems huge. This seems all a bit risky- we are used to comprehensive insurance for damage to third parties as well, but the person I talked to at the RV place seemed to think that was not available for foreigners.
Thanks in advance. I am sorry if all this is in FAQs somewhere. I looked for FAQs but couldn't find any. Also my searches for RV didn't seem to come up with much. Am I missing something.
We are really looking forward to this trip. Our experiences of travelling in the US before (12 days Arizona and New Mexico) were fabulous.
Did not use an RV, but can answer some of your other queries (I travelled with 2 8year olds):
Which are national parks would you recommend as the must see places in California. Is Yosemite so amazing that it is worth the crowds?
Yes - Yosemite is stunning and at the time of year you are going there is plenty of room for everyone. However, it is worthwhile getting in early in the morning to have a better chance of spotting wildlife and grabbing a good parking spot. A small loop trail on the valley floor is concreted if you have a stroller, some of the lower loop trails around Yosemite falls are a comfortable stroll for a 6 year old and short enough to lug the 18 mth. You can easily do Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove in the one day. Bring your food in, the park catering is some of the worst I have tasted anywhere.
The route I took around California (did not take in Death Valley) but worked out really well was: After the obligatory theme parks - LA to Monterey along coastal highway 1 (one of the most scenic drives in the world), via Santa Barbara, Hearst Castle and Big Sur forest (understand there are some RV grounds here). Monterey to Yosemite Valley using routes 156, 152 and 140. East out of Yosemite via Tioga Pass (highest road pass in US), north up route 395, turn off using scenic highway route 89 through Monitor Pass to Lake Tahoe. North out of Lake Tahoe on route 89 to Lassen Volcanic National Park and then on to Shasta in the Cascade Ranges. Mount Shasta is the third highest mountain in the US and as it stands alone it is a stunning site, there are many small wooded lakes and camping grounds in the vicinity which seem a big favourite with the RV community. Down interstate 5 to Redding, then west along scenic route 299 to Eureka on the coast , very ornate Victorian era buildings - South on route 101 through the Redwood National Parks, these are easy stops with little walking involved. Then took route one back to the coast and south to Mendocino and then on to SF. All the roads are in excellent condition and there is little truck traffic as they all take the Interstates.
Which National parks are the best for visiting in RVs and for people with a limited ability to hike (because of the baby)? Our aim is to go places were we can camp in beautiful surroundings and hang out with the kids. We would like to see things but are also very realistic about the constraints of an 18 month old/
Yosemite is fine, the Redwood Parks which border route 101 north of SF are great, the ground is flat, the tracks are short, most of the other parks can be appreciated on the drive throughs and viewing spots. The route I took takes in most of the nationally registered scenic drives in the state.
Is it worth going to Lake Taho? It looks lovely but we have a lot of nice lakes at home too.
You are a bit spoilt in NZ, but Tahoe is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. If you approach from the south and drive the west coast (route 89) it is really a lovely drive. There is a old tavern on the mouth of the Truckee river (the only river which leaves the lake) which is worth a stop for a great value lunch with some of the local characters. You can hire rafts cheaply which take you a few km's down stream, my kids had a ball.
Any advice on the best place for us to stay on the San F - LA coast. Australia has dedicated camping web sites with detailed information, I imagine the US has the same. It would be worthwhile visiting these for feedback.
Whether we should to go to the Sonoma Valley or is that really only for couples with lots of time and inclination to visit vineyards (us in a previous life) - only passed through a section of it, but found the countryside pretty boring compared with the rest of the state.
Is Medocino worth the drive north of San Franciso or should we stick with the area below San Francisco? Yes - the coastal drive is very pretty, but for me the stunning part was the redwood forests which are not too far away. We stopped overnight at Fort Bragg and took an old steam train ride (the skunk train), which was quite pleasant and cheap.
I found the LP guide to California quite good and the Automobile Club of Southern California large scale road map of California ($3.95 at gas stations) to be just the right size to find everything.
Enjoy your holiday and I hope this has been some help.
Do you really need an RV? They are very expensive and limit your mobility. A good rent a car with camping gear would suffice.
If you are planning on camping in Yosemite Valley, especially on a weekend, you must reserve 6 months in advance. The crowds aren't that bad, most stay within 100 meters of the paved roads.
Any national park in the USA will have trails you can take baby on.
If you are craving less crowded conditions however, in Cali, visit Sequoia/Kings Canyon, and especially go to Cedar Grove in King's Canyon -- you'll have no problem getting a campsite there.
DV in June would be quite hot, over 100 F daily.
Also, don't neglect the many national forest campgrounds in Cali.
Thanks very much for all the information, especially the detailed intinerary backup. We have just been tracing it out n the map and wonder how long you took over the trip? We are starting in San Francisco and ending in LA, so thinking about something similar to your trip but in reverse? We have 12 nights to do the trip after we have left SF - but can't drive too much in long stretches as we have an 18 month old.
Thanks very much for all the information, especially the detailed intinerary, backup. We have just been tracing it out on the map and wondering if you can let us know how long you took over the trip, and if you can be bothered, how many days you spent over each bit?
We are starting in San Francisco and ending in LA, so thinking about something similar to your trip but in reverse? We have 12 nights to do the trip after we have left SF - but can't drive too much in long stretches as we have an 18 month old.
You should go to www.mapquest.com to figure out travel times. If you don't have a specific address, just enter in the city or name of the national park along with the state. Provided you don't hit traffic or bad weather conditions, the travel times they provide are usually pretty accurate (although some CA roads are very, very hilly and wind around a lot, which in an RV could be hard to drive fast on).
RV is a good travel help but it can't come accross and adjust to any road. However, please find time to review the road you will take so that you decide to have an RV or NOT.
For some good and affordable RV, here is one that I can recommend.
http://skyriverrv.com/
Located at Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, and Dublin, CA.
Have a safe travel. Enjoy!
Edited by: richandfamous
Is Yosemite so amazing that it is worth the crowds?
Yes.
My kids loved the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and even better was the Dennis the Menace playground that's just down the road.
In San Francisco you can rent bicycles (all over the place) with those toddler trailer things and bike over the Golden Gate bridge then take the ferry back.
trusted partner
