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Old 06-19-2015, 01:31 AM   #15
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Ok, let's see.. In late Oct Death Valley might be an option as there will be only light traffic and big areas to park. Other choices might be San Diego and San Francisco, they both have good public transportation allowing you to simply leave your unit set up at an RV park. Make no mistake, driving a 32 ft Motorhome around like a car in California will be challenging.
I would not say San Diego has good public transportation. I live here. San Francisco is another story. After you get set up I would rent a car.
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Old 06-19-2015, 08:06 AM   #16
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You will certainty want to spend at least 2 days in San Diego ( and you will need to rent a car ) you should probably not venture any farther north than Paso Robles, otherwise you will be spending another 2 days just driving.
Depending on your interests , there is Paso Robles as mentioned earlier, another option to stay at the beach is Golden Shores RV park, a couple hours up the coast in Long Beach, plenty of attractions within walking distance, and you could rent a bike to visit the Queen Mary. There are several deluxe RV Resorts out in the Palm Springs area, which is a great place to visit, particularly if you golf, or are gay, or both for that matter. But, again, rental car needed. And, just a short drive east is a clothing optional RV resort.... Just saying.
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Old 06-19-2015, 10:01 AM   #17
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I would not say San Diego has good public transportation. I live here. San Francisco is another story. After you get set up I would rent a car.

I don't disagree, transportation is a relative thing. However compared to many cities in our state San Diego has relatively good public transportation, believe me. Of course renting a car would be the best option but the OP didn't offer that as a possible choice as the plan is to drive the RV about the state.
Regarding Yosemite, travel there in Oct wouldn't be that bad. Summertime is a different story!
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Old 06-19-2015, 10:28 AM   #18
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Paul; you have to remember that there are more people and cars in California than in all of Canada, in an area roughly 2/3's the size of B.C.
Trying to drive around at the wrong time on the wrong highway, you will learn the true definition of the word, gridlock.
Only , Toronto and Vancouver , can come anywhere close to the traffic , around Southern California.
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Old 06-19-2015, 05:23 PM   #19
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October should be great weather in most of the state but chances of early snow can make things interesting.

California has just about anything someplace so op should post their point of interest so members could point them to areas that would be interesting.

Canada does not have Joshua trees but the barstow area may not be of interest.

From sandiego the grand canyon and vegas are not that far or Quartzsite.

Just too many things to do.

Op provide time and interests and folks here can give you better suggestions along with possible routes.
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Old 06-24-2015, 06:15 PM   #20
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Thank you guys so much for all the information and suggestions. I guess we really never considered the realities of life with an RV as I had the misguided notion to just treat it was an oversized car. We love to visit malls and stores while on vacation so perhaps its not the best idea to rent an RV that we have to return to San Diego. We are now just thinking to rent something less glamerous than an Tiffin Allegro and get a RV we can pick up in San Diego and drop off in Las Vegas. Maybe 3-4 days of traveling and spend the rest of the time fine dining and taking in a few shows. We might not end up killing each other that way and we can see more of the country while not experiencing much gridlock. Any suggestions on what to see and do along the way and where to stay would be awesome.
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Old 07-03-2015, 05:21 PM   #21
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See California in a week and must start and end in San Diego. Park it in San Diego and take the train!
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Old 07-03-2015, 07:12 PM   #22
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Without experience with large vehicles, I would suggest starting out with a smaller RV like the Class C's offered by Class C Motor Homes, RV Rentals and Sales - Cruise America.
I would believe that a local return rental would be much less cost than a one-way rental. But, this company does one-way rentals if desired.

About planning a vacation, there are as many options as there are individuals. And, California is WAY too big to fit into a single vacation....same thing goes for Northern -or- Southern California...really very big and SO much to see and do.

Here is a new way to look at planning a trip.

This couple are full-time RVers, but the concept about planning works for everything from weekenders to several months, to full-timers (IMHO).

And, about campgrounds...iRV2 has a sister site to help find a place to stay:
http://www.campgroundreviews.com/

Welcome to California in advance
Best luck and safe travels
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Old 07-04-2015, 10:39 PM   #23
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I second Flying Flags in Buellton. I was there a couple weeks ago and forgot how much I liked it. Another place to consider in the San Diego area is Pechanga RV in Temecula. You have the advantages of a casino (if you gamble) and restaurants, plus you are surrounded by wineries.
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Old 07-06-2015, 11:57 PM   #24
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Agree with the beach and wine country in mid calif.
Morro Rock/bay has a nice state park. On the ocean and
The Rock is quite massive with otters nearby.
There are also nice camp spots on the beach near Santa barbara.
There is a Koa campsite in Sonoma, near Napa wine country, they may have tours from there across the bay to San francisco, a site worth seeing.
Tours may be the answer to seeing some of the sites without having to drive to them.

The eastern side of cal. Has the mountains but Death Valley is something different from Canada.( If it has cooled off) I think there is one rv site.

Try googling all your ideas and see what interests you.
Stay out of L.A. Between 6a.m. And 8pm. We live south of there and that's when we travel thru downtown, before or after.

Huntington Beach good. Big sandy beach.
You could rent a car from there (I think Enterprise will deliver one to you. ) then go down to Laguna Beach, which is nice or Disneyland, etc.
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Old 07-07-2015, 10:21 AM   #25
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RVing in California for newbies

There are California State beaches up and down the coast most with Campgrounds, Doheny at SanJuan Capistrano, Bolsa Chica in Seal Beach, Silver Strand in San Diego all with beautiful beaches. Serrano in Big Bear Lake, Joshua Tree, Death Valley has 3 campgrounds, suggest the one close to Scotty's castle, it's cooler. Expect temperatures up to 120 in Death Valley. The Sierra's, Sequoias, Shaver Lake, Huntington Lake, Yosemite, Kings Canyon, June Lake, Mammoth Lakes, Tahoe and I could go on and on. This is just the bottom half of the state. Cross overs the Sierra's, back and forth.

There are three separate wine areas, Napa, Pasa Robles and Temecula. All have the major wineries.
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