Calif. Hwy 1

[capnqball]

I have read various posts on the wisdom (?) of traveling Hwy 1 with a Class A, but I've always got the impression it was the portion from San Francisco south to LA. Is the northern portion also iffy as far as Class A travel? My wife and I want to do the Oregon coast down well into California before turning east to the valley and I5 back north.

[RickO]

Although there are sections on the NorCal coast which aren't too bad, I would still suggest using primarily US 101 and using the toad to explore the coast.

Spots like Fort Bragg and Mendocino can be accessed directly so you can shoot over from 101... stay on the coast... and then head back to 101 but I wouldn't use the PCH much for travel. Especially heading south where the DW will be hanging out over the cliffs much of the time.

Rick

[biosensai]

RickO is dead on. For example, stretch from Leggett to the coast, then just north of SF are especially problematic, seemingly making that whole section inaccessible in an RV. But lots are over there. Last time I was one of those RV'ers, I used 20 out of Willits to get to the coast. From there, you can go north or south either in the rig or the toad. We used 1 to work our way south to Bodega Bay, then went east to Santa Rosa. Great route and very RV friendly. The area between SF & Morro Bay isn't RV friendly at all. In that stretch I definitely find a park and use the dinghy. We have used the park at Pacifica, but it was just barely adequate for a 32'er. (Think there is a new one near Half Moon Bay which I'll try next time) Betabel, south of Gilroy, is a very nice park. The coastal areas from Santa Cruz to Monterrey can be accessed from there using 129. I'm pretty sure that's the road I used to get to what is now a KOA, but wasn't then, at Moss Landing. This time of year, I seem to remember their rates are greatly reduced. Access the southern end using a park at either Morro Bay or as far south as Pismo. If you head to Morro, come around thru SLO. 41 or 46, can't remember which, has a huge grade going down to the coast.

[capnqball]

Duly noted guys. Thanks for the advise.

[twogypsies]

Hwy 1 doesn't run into Oregon - only California. In Oregon you'll be on 101 which is all RV-friendly. Have a great trip!

[Nunyadamn]

I towed Camry on a dolly with my 32ft class C from Arizona to Huntington Beach, CA and then all the way up the 1 to Portland and back. I have also towed a 28ft toy hauler bumper pull up the 1 from AZ to Huntington and up to Santa Cruz then back. Don't worry about the 1, just get gas before you leave Morro Bay or Carmel as there are only a couple places to realistically get gas on that road and neither are very fun. Also, don't plan for a quick trip. There is no website that will tell you the actual speed you are going to be going, so they can't calculate the time. For example, Google maps says 123 miles from Monterey to Morro Bay and it takes 3 hours. I would say that it is more like 4.5 hours or more. Average speed if your lucky will be about 25mph - there are a few 15mph turns and there are hills most of the way.

I posted the above on a different website. My opinion is it depends on you and what and how comfortable you are at driving your RV. When I took my class C, I had only bought it a few weeks before my trip. I think planning is the best thing you can do. The 1/101 is the best road trip I know of. I wouldn't be afraid of it, just don't be in a hurry. There are plenty of big 5th wheels and RV's on that road and there is no law saying you can't be there. I have never heard of anyone having an issue on this road, only people saying to stay on the 101 (no offense to any of the previous posts - really haven't heard of anyone having problems).

[Air Baron]

Originally Posted by Nunyadamn

. I have never heard of anyone having an issue on this road, only people saying to stay on the 101 (no offense to any of the previous posts - really haven't heard of anyone having problems).

For me and my co-pilot, driving thru highly scenic areas with a 62' long, 36,000 lb rig is not enjoyable...especially when there is nowhere to stop, pull over, take a few pictures and savor the views. As the driver, I certainly cannot look at anything and have to concentrate on keeping everything on the road. We are not in a hurry and would rather park the motorhome in a reasonably-priced park or campground, then use the towed vehicle to do the sight-seeing. I am sure plenty of people have gotten into big-time trouble on the PCH, if not irritating just about everybody behind them. When we took our towed from Monterrey to Big Sur in 2013, half of the roadway in one spot had fallen into the ocean earlier in the year. Driving our rig thru that construction zone would have not been advisable. Sure, it was doable...but not necessary.

[Nunyadamn]

Originally Posted by Air Baron

For me and my co-pilot, driving thru highly scenic areas with a 62' long, 36,000 lb rig is not enjoyable...especially when there is nowhere to stop, pull over, take a few pictures and savor the views. As the driver, I certainly cannot look at anything and have to concentrate on keeping everything on the road. We are not in a hurry and would rather park the motorhome in a reasonably-priced park or campground, then use the towed vehicle to do the sight-seeing. I am sure plenty of people have gotten into big-time trouble on the PCH, if not irritating just about everybody behind them. When we took our towed from Monterrey to Big Sur in 2013, half of the roadway in one spot had fallen into the ocean earlier in the year. Driving our rig thru that construction zone would have not been advisable. Sure, it was doable...but not necessary.

I can see the problem there - 62' would definitely not be advisable. I have a 35' bumper-pull travel trailer now, and my 20' crew cab truck. I think that would be the longest I would go. I pulled a 28' toy hauler up that road with ease. An extra 7 feet would not be too much difference. It really does depend on what you have and how comfortable you are at driving it. Having an additional vehicle to drive would be the best bet. You will be limited to less places to stop and take in the views in anything large. Here is a place I pulled over and took some pictures. I think this is north of San Francisco somewhere. I am on my work computer so I can't be sure at the moment.

[Nunyadamn]

Picture

[RickO]

Originally Posted by Nunyadamn

I can see the problem there - 62' would definitely not be advisable. I have a 35' bumper-pull travel trailer now, and my 20' crew cab truck. I think that would be the longest I would go. I pulled a 28' toy hauler up that road with ease. An extra 7 feet would not be too much difference. It really does depend on what you have and how comfortable you are at driving it. Having an additional vehicle to drive would be the best bet. You will be limited to less places to stop and take in the views in anything large. Here is a place I pulled over and took some pictures. I think this is north of San Francisco somewhere. I am on my work computer so I can't be sure at the moment.

Did you find you were holding up traffic for long periods of time?

Rick

[Nunyadamn]

Not at all. As a matter of fact, there were a couple times I had to pass other slow people in small cars.

[biosensai]

Originally Posted by Nunyadamn

Not at all. As a matter of fact, there were a couple times I had to pass other slow people in small cars.

I'm not sure if I'm impressed or appalled. .

Once again, there are parts of 1 that I consider RV friendly, others definitely not. Time of year might, maybe, make a difference. Bikers, not the Harley types, the pedaling types, often use the road. That road, bicyclists, RV's and people who get impatient, not a combo I want to get involved in.

[biosensai]

Clarification. The part of 1 where the bikers frequent is between Big Sur & Morro Bay.

[chboone]

Originally Posted by Nunyadamn

Not at all. As a matter of fact, there were a couple times I had to pass other slow people in small cars.

Probably at the most scenic areas