Canada to Mexico West coast family Trip Dec 2011 - few missing items.

[viento1]

MC5 - wife, dog, 3 kids heading for road trip 2011. We plan to tuck along the very west coast all the way to Cabo.

Things we seem to be missing:

We would appreciate any great boondocking recommendations along the way.
Also our kids are 9,10,and 11 so if you know of any not to be missed things to do that would be great.
We are all learning to kitesurf so if you know of any instructors who give family discounts.
Mini Split AC
Inflatable tunnel hull Cat with 30hp motor
Friends (we supply the wine)
Somewhere to spend X-mass (probably near LA)

[Gary '79 5C]

Best of luck with your trip !!  Sounds Great.

Sorry to say, I am on the east coast, stop in if you get really, really lost.

[thomasinnv]

when you get into Comifornia, just south of Crescent City (way up at the north end) on the 101 is the redwood forest. I beleive biggest redwood trees in N America or maybe the world. Anyway, absolutely beautiful. Stop at the "trees of mystery" between Crescent city and Klamath. Huge statue of Paul Bunyon in the parking lot. Lots to see there.

[Cary and Don]

San Simeon.  There is the Hearst Castle,  Elephant seals, lots of beaches.  The weather is usually pretty good.  We have spent two Christmases in the Pismo Beach area.  There is a lot to do and is very popular for the Holidays.

I don't think you will find any boon docking on the coast.  The closest we came to was West port Union Landing on Hwy1 north of Fort Brag.  You can get 40' in there. I think the rate is up to $18 per night now.  We like it because it sits right over the ocean, but there isn't anything there for kids and the beach isn't accessible.  The drive from 101 to Hwy 1 in this area is really pretty, but some people think it's too winding.  We didn't have any trouble with it in the 4107.  The logging trucks in this area are going south when loaded Monday through Friday.

MacKerricher State park further south is really great.  They have a very limited number of spaces for 35'.  You will need reservations.  There is a loop by the little lake that you can get 35' into. None of the State parks will take 40'.

Don and Cary
1973 05 Eagle
GM 4107
Neoplan AN340

[artvonne]

  Your not going into Mexico, are you? That would seem kinda crazy considering the news reports.

  Pacific Coast Highway in Northern Komradfornia, can a 35 foot Bus run that road, or is it ill-advised??

[Cary and Don]

We have driven 101 which some of is just slow going.  Not a bad road.  We did Hwy 1 between Mackerricher and the redwoods north.  It may not  be for everybody.  It is winding and narrow, but not steep.  Avoid going north during the week days because of the on coming logging trucks.  We didn't have any problems with it.  Just slow, but the scenery was great. There are 40' rvs on the road.

Don and Cary
1973 05 Eagle
GM 4107
Neoplan AN340

[Handyjim]

California Notes: Stay off Hwy 1 south of Ft. Bragg.  Jenner grade would be nasty in a bus.  Likewise, REALLY don't do Hwy 1 south of Monterey to San Simeon (Hearst Castle), past Big Sur.  I promise it won't be a pleasure trip in a bus.  Boondocking is tough along the coast.  In Ventura County is Rincon Parkway.  County Park, no hookups but right on the ocean. No reservations. About $30.00 a  night now. Surfing, surf fishing kite surfing right out your door.  In San Diego, Mission Bay is great for day parking.  Drive up to Clairemont Mesa, or towards MiraMar MCAS and you can stealth camp in the more industrial areas. Mission Bay has a free dump station.

[Mex-Busnut]

I love this country and it has some awesome coasts and mountain areas. I live down here in Mexico, 100 miles NW of Mexico City. I hate to say this, but this is NOT the time to boondock on Mexican coasts, because of the drug-related rampant violence, kidnappings, etc. Even in world-famous Acapulco and Cancún, most tourism stops when the sun goes down, and the gangs take to the streets.

[eagle19952]

[RJ]

California Notes: Stay off Hwy 1 south of Ft. Bragg.  Jenner grade would be nasty in a bus. 

Almost.  Keep going a little further south of Ft. Bragg on Hiway 1 until you get to the charming town of Mendocino, then take Comptche Ukiah Rd back over to 101 in Ukiah.  But take a little time to wander around this quaint town first - see if you can find the Irish Shop.  (BTW, IMHO, the Mendocino coast of CA looks very, very much like the west coast of Ireland!)

Likewise, REALLY don't do Hwy 1 south of Monterey to San Simeon (Hearst Castle), past Big Sur.  I promise it won't be a pleasure trip in a bus.

Excuse me, but I heartily disagree.  Charter buses run this road year round, there's nothing wrong with it.  Yes, it's narrow in places, sometimes you have to take your half out of both sides, and the driver has to pay attention to what he's doing.  What's wrong with that?  If you're comfortable behind the wheel of your coach, don't deny the rest of your family some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the country.  Best part about driving Hiway 1 SB is that there are numerous pull-outs - perfect photo ops as well as places to let the 4-wheelers get by.   See if your kids can spot the most photographed bridge in CA after the Golden Gate.  

However - Check CalTrans Hiway Info before you leave Monterey/Carmel.  Slides are not uncommon on Hiway 1, they sometimes close it.  http://www.dot.ca.gov/ is the website, or call 800-427-7623.

Droopy eyelids, more tomorrow.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[jbnewman]

eagle19952: Is that your bus emergency fund? 

[Handyjim]

RJ:  You're right.  Mendocino is a great visit.  And you can head south to Hwy 128, a good drive, to Cloverdale and Hwy 101.

I still contend that Hwy 1 through Big Sur is not bus/motorhome friendly. Great for the passengers, (except maybe my wife looking out the window). Tough on the driver, IMHO. I've not driven a bus on it, but I have faced some.

But, heck.  You think a 4106  is a Greenbrier.  I have a Greenbrier, and it's smaller than a 4106!

[bobofthenorth]

We've driven coastal 1/101 from Dana Point clear through to Olympia several times with different rigs.  While I'll agree that some areas are more "scenic" than others I wouldn't avoid any of the route in a bus.  Its a particularly great trip southbound.  If you are northbound the turnouts are really difficult but southbound you can just roll off the side of the road in numerous places.  There's not much for overnight spots though unless you are willing to pay.  If you watch weblogs from those of us who travel a lot there are some casinos and Walmarts in close enough proximity to the coast to make the trip economically. 

[Boomer]

The PCH southbound Monterey to San Simeon is a little easier in that you can swing out over the fog line a bit and probably not cross the center line.  Northbound however, you can get into the rock walls, it's that tight.  I have driven the length of Hwy 1 all the way north to Leggett where it reconnects to 101.  In a 45 footer no less, which is technically illegal according to the CalTrans website statewide length limits.  There are no signs stating this on the highway, only the yellow ADVISORY signs, such as at San Simeon just north of Hearst Castle.  There is little traffic in the winter time which makes it a little easier, but be CAREFUL.  On the north end there is a nice boondock lot at the Moss Landing boat harbor near Monterey.  I think it is about 8.00 to park overnight.  South of there the state does not allow any overnight parking along the PCH except in state parks which are all 32' limit.  San Simeon State Park campground can handle a 45, we overnighted there while going to Hearst Castle, even though they also state 32'.  Don't let the log trucks up north scare you, they stay on their side of the road, besides there are precious few of them left now, Georgia-Pacific in Fort Bragg is now closed and torn down.  The Skunk Train at Fort Bragg is a worthwile tourist attraction.  I suggest visiting the Samoa Cookhouse, just accross the bridge from Eureka, you can park overnight right there. The redwoods are one of my favorite spots but according to Redwood National Park you can't park overnight anywhere.  Too bad, you used to be able to park right along the ocean near Orick but it's all signed now.  Be nice to park somewhere in the Avenue of the Giants too, but I suppose the authorities don't want the roadsides plugged with RV's in the summer.  Happy Trails.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Stone Lagoon Rv park is just south of Orick about 4 miles or so. Stayed there twice, once in the fall and once in the spring. Both times there we had Elk that came thru the campground early in the morning and somtimes at night. Had a cow elk that was eating the grass right outside my bedroom window. Her nose was right beside my rear tire.   Just be cautious of the Bull Elk during the fall rut.