I-5 is closed...now what?

Sean · January 21, 2010, 06:25:24 PM

Quote from: John316 on January 21, 2010, 05:48:16 PM
... Looks like we are planning on camping at the WM parking lot in Santa Clarita.

Overnight parking is not permitted at either Wal-Mart in Santa Clarita. No matter what the manager says, the cops can evict you. The nearby Camping World is also No Overnight Parking.

There is an Elks lodge with hookups plus dry parking, if you are an Elk. Otherwise, anywhere around that area, you will be looking at commercial options.

We have relatives in Santa Clarita, so we are there often -- we know whereof we speak.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

John316 · January 21, 2010, 06:33:04 PM

Ouch, Thanks Sean.

So what do you think we should do? The gal at WM said that they allow it for one night, but I guess she was wrong. Do you think we should give it a try, and see if we get evicted?

Edit: I just called the police in Santa Clarita. They said that WM is private property, and if we have WM permission, that it is okay. Could they have updated their policy

.

Thanks.

God bless,

John

RJ · January 21, 2010, 06:36:34 PM

John -

Burbank to Santa Clarita is what? 20 miles?

Why not just stay in BDB and leave a half hour earlier?

FWIW & HTH. . .

John316 · January 21, 2010, 06:40:24 PM

Quote from: RJ on January 21, 2010, 06:36:34 PM
John -

Burbank to Santa Clarita is what? 20 miles?

Why not just stay in BDB and leave a half hour earlier?

FWIW & HTH. . .

Because we wanted to get out of this little "traffic hole." Figured get 20 miles up the road, and then we know we won't have any trouble with traffic...But that is just our thinking....

God bless,

John

Sean · January 21, 2010, 06:59:10 PM

Quote from: John316 on January 21, 2010, 06:33:04 PM

So what do you think we should do? The gal at WM said that they allow it for one night, but I guess she was wrong. Do you think we should give it a try, and see if we get evicted?

Edit: I just called the police in Santa Clarita. They said that WM is private property, and if we have WM permission, that it is okay. Could they have updated their policy .

Looks like you now have more current information than I did. Last time we were there, it was no overnight allowed. I would just make sure you have the name of the person who gave you permission, and then keep a low profile.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

John316 · January 21, 2010, 07:07:18 PM

Quote from: Sean on January 21, 2010, 06:59:10 PM
Looks like you now have more current information than I did. Last time we were there, it was no overnight allowed. I would just make sure you have the name of the person who gave you permission, and then keep a low profile.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

Thanks, Sean.

I just spoke with "Beth" at WM (I called back, got a different person, and their answers agreed), and she said that it was okay to park there for one night (as far from the entrance as possible). She also said that there was an RV out there right now, fwiw.

So I think we will go for it, and I will update you on what happens.

God bless,

John

Dreamscape · January 21, 2010, 07:26:25 PM

Hi John,

You found a good place to park. When I lived in Burbank I had my bus in storage not far from Magic Mountain. Stay warm, it'll open soon.

My son manages a dollar store there.

Paul

gus · January 21, 2010, 07:27:32 PM

I always call WM ahead of parking and get this same answer, also always get the persons name. Sometimes they have to check with the manager.

It is obvious that most people do not call ahead from some of the responses I get!

If I were in your fix I would normally go over Cajon Pass and go up the desert floor to Tehachapi Pass over to Bakersfield. Of course there is always the chance of snow at Tehachapi and it is predicted for tonight, but you usually don't have the problem of mud slides either.

RJ · January 21, 2010, 07:29:13 PM

John -

Just checked CalTrans - I-5 is open as of 19:26

Get outta Dodge QUICK!

John316 · January 21, 2010, 07:35:39 PM

Quote from: RJ on January 21, 2010, 07:29:13 PM
John -

Just checked CalTrans - I-5 is open as of 19:26

Get outta Dodge QUICK!

WILL DO...We are getting out of here as quickly as possible.

Thanks a lot for the responses, and your help, guys.

Paul, Burbank is a nice area...you are right.

Gus, I am with you. I always call ahead. Just makes sense in the long run.

God bless,

John

luvrbus · January 21, 2010, 07:42:12 PM

John, I checked my WM Altas it says overnight parking is allowed at the Santa Clarita WMs

good luck

Dreamscape · January 21, 2010, 07:56:16 PM

John, Use this the next time you're looking for WM overnight camping, this list is for WM not allowing it. Smaller list than the complete one.

http://www.freecampgrounds.com/walmart_nocamping.aspx

Paul

luvrbus · January 21, 2010, 08:23:06 PM

If you use WM like we do buy their altas for 9 bucks it list every WM ,Sam's and their grocery store chain where overnight parking is permitted I use it and never a problem in years.
If you want to know where the electrail service is located in the parking lot on the light poles I can help with that John LOL

good luck

John316 · January 22, 2010, 12:06:02 AM

Thanks for the help, guys. We are past Grapevine, and ready for bed. The pass was just fine, and the roads were icy but clear. There was one car that spun out in front of us, in our lane, but it was okay.

Clifford, we will have to get one of those...thanks.

Paul, great website. I bookmarked it.

Thanks again for the help.

God bless,

John

BG6 · January 22, 2010, 12:23:28 AM

Quote from: John316 on January 22, 2010, 12:06:02 AM
Thanks for the help, guys. We are past Grapevine, and ready for bed.

Glad you made it out. Stay on I-5 to get to Sacramento, 99 is okay but not as good.