Arizona this winter!

[HappyCCRVr]

Hi All,
We are beginnig to plan our first winter snowbird trip in our new Class A Country Coach RV!!!
We are looking for recommendations for where to stay in Az, and California.
We are on an early retirement budget, so need to keep costs in mind.
We would love to find just the right spots for one month stays, over five to six months.

Please let me know your favourite spots, why you like them, and how affordable they are.

We don't golf, not into sports, but we like sightseeing, walking, and sunshine!

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[jpriest]

welcome!! don't have any information for you, but glad you're here. i'm sure you'll get some great ideas from others here.

[HappyCCRVr]

Thank you!

[RickO]

Congrats on the new rig! Very nice machines.

We've wintered in the Indio/Palm Springs area and really enjoyed it. Lots of stuff to do and nice weather. I can't help with park recommendations if you're looking for economy though. We paid $1700/mo.

Lot's of folks like the Yuma area in Arizona. We spent a week there and weren't very impressed but to each their own.

Best of luck

Rick

[HappyCCRVr]

Thanks a lot! That is above our budget, but we will look around the area. Appreciate the tip.
We haven't heard much good about Yuma from the younger crowd.

[bsirby]

Hello, welcome to IRV2. Hope you find a place you like and can afford. We stay in Floriday, so can not help. Enjoy your snowbird experience.

[Sohapi]

I love AZ but can't give you any helpful information. I would like to say welcome and I hope someone will give you some ideas. You might post your question in the regional section or full timers location.

[Lued]

I can help, if your not to picky, full hookup with cable on the Colo River below Parker Dam, Let me know if you want more info? We fell for the place, We have 10 yrs there $ 300.00 MO

[historyljc]

Hi HappyCCRVr, welcome to the forum. Can't help you in that area of the country. Come on east.

[njs42]

Lake Havasu has some nice places varying prices and the lake. Avoid it during spring break the average age in the city goes to about 22.

Tucson has Rincon Country West, we have stayed there the past nine winters. They have a lot going on in the park a number of different clubs and activities everything from investing to model railroading, wood shop, sewing center, bird watchers, hikers, lapidary, dancing, some entertainment, tours and trips. The most expensive lots are what is called the Quads, RV's arranged in a square with a lawn right out your front door. Tucson itself has a wide variety of things going on, lots of parks, the Desert Muiseum, programs and entertainment through the University of Arizona. It will cost you about $700. for the month a bit less or more depending on your site.

We avoid Phoenix, too smoggy and tooo big and busy for our taste but it is loaded with nice RV parks and Spring baseball.

Yuma is about the most inexpensive place, lots of RV spots in differing price ranges $500 to $800 per month depending. It is on the Colorado River so must have a number of activities. We have only overnighted there.

San Diego has Chula Vista RV and MArina and San Diego, no loss for things to do there. We like Chula Vista, some people react to it being close to the border but in fact we have never had any problems what so ever in Chula Vista or heard of any. We have a friend that frequents the Marina and has for the past 10 years same for them, no problems.

Santee Lakes outside San Diego is really nice, public Rv park surrounding Lakes in the San Diego foothills. We have reserved a space there for March of next year. We have a deluxe space for about $750. for the month.

Emerald Desert in Palm Desert is really nice but very pricey about 1200 per month. Palm Springs is close and if you like shopping then there are huge outlets store at Morongo just up the road.

Flying Flags in Buellton California is on Hwy 101 above Santa BArbara. Wineries abound, Solvang a cute Danish Village and Santa Barbara itself all within reach.

We like Morro BAy and the surrounding country. Morro Dunes is a nice park and reasonable I believe, not real fancy but just accross from the entrance is the beach. Shuttles run to the town of Morro Bay really nice shopping and restaurants. You are close to Pismo Beach, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and the Hearst Castle and about a days drive from Big Sur on Hwy 1. Hwy 1 with the MH is a chore but very scenic for a car.

Wine Country RV Park is in Paso Robles a very very nice park but it will set you back about $1200 for a month.

Pechanga RV is adjacent to a Casino on Native American property in Temecula California. Top drawer park, not too expensive as I recall. Great area. The grounds, the service and the people are all customer oriented and the restaurants at the casino are wonderful. Temecula is close enough to LA to take part in anyth9ing you would want but not in the thick of things.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

[stearn]

Welcome to the forum. You have recieved some great information so far. To add we stayed at a place called Canyon Vistas, in Gold Canyon Az. It was around $600 in December. It is near Pheonix but far enough away from the smog,and heavy traffic. We did several day trips as there was lots to do and see. We then stayed in Yuma, again lots of day trips . We stayed at COCOPAH RV Resort, would not go back, we did see other nice looking parks but don't remember names. Rincon West was nice. We enjoyed the Tucson area. Quartsite was an experiance! We didn't camp there but did a couple day trips from Yuma. I would suggest checking out www.campgroundreviews.com .

[calico]

We volunteered last winter at a state park just south of Lake Havasu City along the Colorado River. Beautiful weather and scenery, going back this year! Tons of campgrounds from LHC to Parker, just do a google search or use this link:

Campgrounds, Boat Rentals Lake Havasu and Parker Arizona Watersports

[HappyCCRVr]

Originally Posted by njs42

Lake Havasu has some nice places varying prices and the lake. Avoid it during spring break the average age in the city goes to about 22.

Tucson has Rincon Country West, we have stayed there the past nine winters. They have a lot going on in the park a number of different clubs and activities everything from investing to model railroading, wood shop, sewing center, bird watchers, hikers, lapidary, dancing, some entertainment, tours and trips. The most expensive lots are what is called the Quads, RV's arranged in a square with a lawn right out your front door. Tucson itself has a wide variety of things going on, lots of parks, the Desert Muiseum, programs and entertainment through the University of Arizona. It will cost you about $700. for the month a bit less or more depending on your site.

We avoid Phoenix, too smoggy and tooo big and busy for our taste but it is loaded with nice RV parks and Spring baseball.

Yuma is about the most inexpensive place, lots of RV spots in differing price ranges $500 to $800 per month depending. It is on the Colorado River so must have a number of activities. We have only overnighted there.

San Diego has Chula Vista RV and MArina and San Diego, no loss for things to do there. We like Chula Vista, some people react to it being close to the border but in fact we have never had any problems what so ever in Chula Vista or heard of any. We have a friend that frequents the Marina and has for the past 10 years same for them, no problems.

Santee Lakes outside San Diego is really nice, public Rv park surrounding Lakes in the San Diego foothills. We have reserved a space there for March of next year. We have a deluxe space for about $750. for the month.

Emerald Desert in Palm Desert is really nice but very pricey about 1200 per month. Palm Springs is close and if you like shopping then there are huge outlets store at Morongo just up the road.

Flying Flags in Buellton California is on Hwy 101 above Santa BArbara. Wineries abound, Solvang a cute Danish Village and Santa Barbara itself all within reach.

We like Morro BAy and the surrounding country. Morro Dunes is a nice park and reasonable I believe, not real fancy but just accross from the entrance is the beach. Shuttles run to the town of Morro Bay really nice shopping and restaurants. You are close to Pismo Beach, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and the Hearst Castle and about a days drive from Big Sur on Hwy 1. Hwy 1 with the MH is a chore but very scenic for a car.

Wine Country RV Park is in Paso Robles a very very nice park but it will set you back about $1200 for a month.

Pechanga RV is adjacent to a Casino on Native American property in Temecula California. Top drawer park, not too expensive as I recall. Great area. The grounds, the service and the people are all customer oriented and the restaurants at the casino are wonderful. Temecula is close enough to LA to take part in anyth9ing you would want but not in the thick of things.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

We LOVE Lake Havasu, spend a week there this year, during spring break, it was awesome watching all the kids on the canal with their tatties and bikinis, enjoying their boom box boat stereos. IT was lots of free fun!

Tuscon sounds right up our alley, we will definitely check that out and stay awhile.

Also haven't heard much good about Phoenix or Yuma, but I think we will check them out since we have the time.

Thanks for the tips in San Diego, that is one of our destinations through Calif.

Santee Lakes sounds right up our alley as well. We will be checking that out for sure. $800/month is our budget, but always nice to find something good for less.

We will go through Palm Springs maybe for a night or two, but not planning to stay long, as it is expensive there. Emerald dessert, what a neat name, it even sounds expensive though. Flying Flags, I'm going to look that up and learn more about it.

Well, you sure did get me started, I have a lot of work to do now, but it is fun work! I so appreciate all your comments, and that you took the time to help us out here. Very much appreciated!! a big THANK YOU!

[HappyCCRVr]

Originally Posted by stearn

Welcome to the forum. You have recieved some great information so far. To add we stayed at a place called Canyon Vistas, in Gold Canyon Az. It was around $600 in December. It is near Pheonix but far enough away from the smog,and heavy traffic. We did several day trips as there was lots to do and see. We then stayed in Yuma, again lots of day trips . We stayed at COCOPAH RV Resort, would not go back, we did see other nice looking parks but don't remember names. Rincon West was nice. We enjoyed the Tucson area. Quartsite was an experiance! We didn't camp there but did a couple day trips from Yuma. I would suggest checking out www.campgroundreviews.com .

Very helpful, thanks so much! Will be checking that out. Quite the learning curve!
I appreciate the info on where not to stay as well. Dad used to say smart people learn from their mistakes....while wise people learn from other people's mistakes.....