California Trip

[Ajayabb]

Our family is planning on traveling in our 36 ft Bounder with a Toadie heading west from NJ. What is best route to cross California from I 80 to northern coast of California to get to Redwood National Park Thanks in advance

[UFO Pilot]

In my opinion, take Hwy 37 at Vallejo over to Hwy 101 at Novato then North to your destination. Hwy 101 gets narrow in spots in the Redwoods so slow down and enjoy the drive.

[kalynzoo]

The I-80 is a nice drive. You will find a short portion west of Reno, going over Donner Pass to be less than comfortable. The highway narrows and the road is very rough as the snow plows destroy the surface every winter. Lots of truck traffic in this narrowing section and heavy traffic to and from Reno Tahoe make this portion less than fun. But it is only a small section of what will be a long vacation drive. Once down off the mountain stay on the I-80 into Sacramento and head north on the I-5 to just past Williams, where you head west on the 20. This is a very nice two lane highway which will take you around Clear Lake. There are a few tighter turns but they are in towns so your speed is slow anyway. I've taken this route many times in a 38ft MH with toad without concern. This will take you all the way to the 101 at Redwood Valley. I suggest you look at Benbow Valley KOA as a basecamp for the Redwoods around Garberville. Great KOA campground, used to be a private resort, legitimate golf club if your into that, and a truly excellent restaurant at the Benbow Valley Inn walking distance away. The Garberville area is the region most people think of when they remember newsreels of the Redwoods, with a drive thru tree, the Mystery forest, the One log redwood RV, etc. You will also be close to the Wittits Skunk Train to Fort Bragg. All of these are best in the toad, as the off freeway roads are narrow, crowed with low trees, and winding. Sacramento is a nice tourist stop along the way if time permits. The California Train Museum in Old Town is spectacular, and there is always Sutters Mill, Sutters Fort, and other gold rush history. Auburn Gold RV is a pleasant stop before entering Sacramento on the I-80. The Vinyard RV park is a lovely campground west of Sacramento in Vacaville (if you stop there don't miss the Jelly Belly Factory Tours.) If after the Redwoods you head south I really like Petaluma KOA for a base camp to San Francisco. Happy Trails

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Remember, if pulling a toad or trailer, the California max speed limit is 55mph. If you are going to be doing 56 mph, you will be pulled over for driving in CA with out of state plates!

[Ajayabb]

Great stuff. Thanks

[UFO Pilot]

We have always stayed at Ancient Redwoods RV when visiting the Redwoods. No frills but a good base camp to explore from. Garberville is a nice town to explore also. If you have time, visit the little town of Ferndale, a short drive from Fortuna.

Someone suggested the KOA in Petaluma, just be aware that the daily rate runs about $70. Are you by chance an Elk? Petaluma Elks Lodge has full hookup sites at about $25.

[Johnitis]

The CHP are more concerned with the flow of traffic. I've been in lines of towing motor homes doing 70-ish on some Southern California freeways.

Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod

Remember, if pulling a toad or trailer, the California max speed limit is 55mph. If you are going to be doing 56 mph, you will be pulled over for driving in CA with out of state plates!

[twogypsies]

We've also stayed at Ancient Redwoods RV on 101 right in the midst of the big trees. There are some very nice hiking trails for all abilities within a few miles. Awesome place!

[LarryH1481]

A great RV Park to base camp in the Lake Tahoe area is:
Coachland RV Park in Truckee, CA.

Truckee is a nice historic town to visit, before heading over the Donner Summit to Sacramento. Visit the Donner Party Memorial Museum. This is an historic railroad junction for trains crossing the Sierras.

Spend the day and drive the toad around beautiful Lake Tahoe. Visit Squaw Valley Olympic Ski Village, Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe Casinos, Heavenly Valley Scenic Gondola Ride, Zephyr Cove and great views of the lake.

Last month, my DW and I took an RV trip to the "Avenue of the Giants" in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Stayed at the KOA Benbow RV Resort, which is a few miles before entering the Ave. of Giants drive.
Garberville, California Campground | Benbow KOA

This is a must do, when in the area. You definitely should stop at the Visitor Center (nice people) for information and take a trail hike thru a Redwood Grove!

We took the route from Williams (Hwy 20 west to Hwy 101) near Ukiah. It avoids the San Francisco traffic. Stop at Granzella’s Restaurant & Deli in Williams, if you get a chance. Good food and popular stop!

If you want to see SF, take I-80 to Vallejo, then (Hwy 37 to Hwy 101.) You could base camp at Marin RV Park or Petaluma RV Park and drive the toad into SF (Fisherman's Warf, etc.)

Safe Travels!

[biosensai]

5 to 20 to 101 is the preferred route. In simplistic terms the coastal redwoods are found in 2 main areas. South of Eureka. North & south of Crescent City. For those south of Eureka, we like Ancient Redwoods, but with kids Riverwalk in Fortuna might be a better choice. Both are full hook-up facilities. For the CC groves, Klamath has a lot of parks that will place you near the Prairie Creek groves. Last fall, we stayed at Shoreline RV on the bay in the city & used it for a base to visit the groves to the north. Lots of excellent facilities in the area.

[MrsChilerick]

Since you are coming west on the I-80, you may want to consider taking 65 out of Lincoln to Marysville and taking the 20 from there to the 101. We took that way last year and it was great. As an aside, there is a long stretch of construction currently on the I-80 between the 65 and the 5 that you can avoid if you decide on this option.

Places to stay are pretty personal and different based on personal preference, we stayed at Ancient Redwoods last year and wouldn't stay there again. It didn't meet our needs for our dog and the folks in the office were less than helpful. That said, we haven't stayed anywhere else up there, so can't recommend an alternative. But on our trip this summer in late June, we'll be trying one of the Klamath River campgrounds. The redwoods are pretty spread out along the coast and this location seems to be pretty central.

Everyone has pretty much covered the sights, I would just add don't miss the Jedediah Smith Grove.

[1ciderdog]

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot

In my opinion, take Hwy 37 at Vallejo over to Hwy 101 at Novato then North to your destination. Hwy 101 gets narrow in spots in the Redwoods so slow down and enjoy the drive.

Yes, that's a good way to do it. I've done that with this RV & tow car and with a long 5th wheel.

Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod

Remember, if pulling a toad or trailer, the California max speed limit is 55mph. If you are going to be doing 56 mph, you will be pulled over for driving in CA with out of state plates!

I don't agree with this statement. At least not in the Northern CA highways. Not unusual to see RV's towing cars traveling at 65 mph or faster and see very few if any pulled over by LEO's.

[RVThere]

We'll be doing a NJ to Placerville, CA trip in early July. Since my son moved to CA in 2010, we done this trip WAY too many times!

See you on the road!

[Sassafras]

Originally Posted by Johnitis

The CHP are more concerned with the flow of traffic. I've been in lines of towing motor homes doing 70-ish on some Southern California freeways.

I agree. Keep with the flow of traffic so in your case the flow of other trailers and semis and you will be fine.