Community Forums

Ducksquasher · 03-26-2025, 10:20 PM

Hey All!

So thinking we are going to take the RV up the CA cost and explore, fish, Redwoods, etc. Funny enough...this is a part of CA we have never really explored? I have heard that Hwy 1 north of Morro Bay is a rugged go for towing. What about north of the Bay area?

Any feedback, tips, do's, dont's, places to see and stay are more than welcomed.

Thanks in advance!

**Camp CA** · 03-26-2025, 10:24 PM

Olema (close to Point Reyes), Bodega Bay and Fort Bragg are some of our favorite rv campgrounds.

twogypsies · 03-26-2025, 10:24 PM

Take 101 north from San Francisco. Park the RV and drive the vehicle on Hwy 1 to tour leisurely.

TampaDave · 03-27-2025, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Take 101 north from San Francisco. Park the RV and drive the vehicle on Hwy 1 to tour leisurely.

... which is the best way to see redwoods, and a lot of em. 101 goes right through or past all the big redwood parks, starting with Humboldt.

101 drops ya off right at the beach in Eureka, which is a prototype cool little norcal town. There's a million of em out there, many of em along this route. Good highway between Eureka and Crescent city (also a cool norcal town, maybe even cooler). There's about a bajillion elk along the highway between the two, it would be well worth camping near one of the elk spots to check em out. Elk Country RV Resort looks like a good bet, didn't stay there but it looked charming. More elks than squirrels in that campground, just hangin and chillin

Out of Crescent City, 199 thru Jebediah Smith State Park is gorgeous. Not great for an RV but fine with a truck or toad, and absolutely awesome on a motorcycle, to that I can attest. Like being in a magic forest, take a hike through there if you get a chance. Also, if you missed the Sonoma Valley wine tour on your way up, you can take the southern Oregon... ahem, "herb" tour if you stay on that road for a bit.

Yeah US1 down around Big Sur is stunning, rugged country. Really something to see but between the traffic and the landslides it can be a tough go. (It's also *really* hot in the summer, if you're not right on the water.) Way northern California and southern Oregon has its own thing going, absolutely gorgeous, not as crowded or hoity-toity, and strikes me as a lot more RV-friendly.

Crescent City. Gold Beach. Coos Bay. Newport. If you've never heard of those places, good. That's why you want to go.

ttavasc · 03-27-2025, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TampaDave

... which is the best way to see redwoods, and a lot of em. 101 goes right through or past all the big redwood parks, starting with Humboldt.

101 drops ya off right at the beach in Eureka, which is a prototype cool little norcal town. There's a million of em out there, many of em along this route. Good highway between Eureka and Crescent city (also a cool norcal town, maybe even cooler). There's about a bajillion elk along the highway between the two, it would be well worth camping near one of the elk spots to check em out. Elk Country RV Resort looks like a good bet, didn't stay there but it looked charming. More elks than squirrels in that campground, just hangin and chillin

Out of Crescent City, 199 thru Jebediah Smith State Park is gorgeous. Not great for an RV but fine with a truck or toad, and absolutely awesome on a motorcycle, to that I can attest. Like being in a magic forest, take a hike through there if you get a chance. Also, if you missed the Sonoma Valley wine tour on your way up, you can take the southern Oregon... ahem, "herb" tour if you stay on that road for a bit.

Yeah US1 down around Big Sur is stunning, rugged country. Really something to see but between the traffic and the landslides it can be a tough go. (It's also *really* hot in the summer, if you're not right on the water.) Way northern California and southern Oregon has its own thing going, absolutely gorgeous, not as crowded or hoity-toity, and strikes me as a lot more RV-friendly.

Crescent City. Gold Beach. Coos Bay. Newport. If you've never heard of those places, good. That's why you want to go.

We spent a week at Elk Country RV Park last September. It was a great place to basecamp for exploring the area. There are indeed lots of elk - almost daily just roaming through the campground and hanging out in the big field by the highway.

Elk Country RV Park

twogypsies · 03-27-2025, 04:29 PM

If you want to explore from San Francisco to Redcrest, CA then stay at Ancient Redwoods on 101. It's right in the heart of the redwoods with easy trails to walk. An easy drive to go to Hwy 1 for touring the oceanside in your vehicle. Leave the RV behind!

https://ancientredwoods.net/contact-us

Triangle Drifter · 03-31-2025, 08:34 AM

We have done 101 and 1 a couple of times from the top of WA down to SFO with our 34' 5er. No real biggie. Yes there are a few challenging sections.

Wildwoods22 · 03-31-2025, 11:31 PM

TampaDave said, “Yeah US1 down around Big Sur is stunning, rugged country. Really something to see but between the traffic and the landslides it can be a tough go.”

It’s actually a NO go with the road closed at Lucia. You can explore from Morro Bay, but you need to take 101 north to bypass the closure.

The KOA in Petaluma is pricey but definitely a resort. Good access to San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa Valleys.

Ditto on the rest of the suggestions for the redwoods. Last summer we visited Humboldt Redwoods, Redwoods National and State Parks, Jedediah Smith State Park (and the Oregon coast up to Lincoln City; hit the coast in Lincoln City and took 101 all the way to LA)

Dave54 · 04-01-2025, 12:24 PM

Like everyone else said, a great trip. I would avoid taking an RV through SF if possible. Go inland and avoid the entire peninsula.

Must do in the Redwoods includes hiking Fern Canyon. A bit rugged, but magical. Vertical walls completely covered with different types of ferns. Not really a trail up the canyon. It follows the creek and involves multiple stream crossings and climbing over log jams. A scene in Jurassic Park was filmed there. Directly opposite the Jedediah Smith Campground is the Redwood Grove where Star Wars (the Forest Moon of Endor, with the Ewoks) was filmed. Crescent City has the Battery Point lighthouse you can tour. Accessible only at low tide. The Redwoods Tall Trees grove is moderate hike. No longer has the tallest tree, another taller has been found. But this grove has several of nearly the same size.
Highway 199 to Grants Pass is fine for RVs and trailers. Passes by Oregon Caves National Monument, if you want a tour. Driven it many times. Far better than driving 299 or 36 to the central valley.

Wildwoods22 · 04-01-2025, 11:27 PM

Dave54 hit the nail on the head.

Note that you will need reservations to enter the Gold Beach/Fern canyon area of the park. We picnicked at the Fern Canyon after the hike/stroll and saw a herd of elk in the sand grassland by the beach.

Our route to bypass SF from the south is 101 to 880 to 580 across the San Rafael Bridge and reconnect with 101.