Expert: Ernest Tufft - 5/29/2008

Question
hi,
Hope u can help, me and 5 friends all from ireland have rented out an rv and have planed a trip from san fransisco to las vegas.  we are havin some trouble finding campsites/ rv parks to stay. one of our stops is in santa Barbara! do u know any good ones there? we are all in early 20's an would like something close to beach/bars/nightlife etc any tips or advise would be helpful

thanxs
Orlaith

Answer
Orlaith,

I hope you haven't already rented the RV because in case you haven't heard, the gas prices make for a horrible year of RV driving.  Also, because RVs are traditionally the domaine of the retired senior citizen, RV parks are rarely close to the bars and nightlife that young typically enjoy.  San Francisco is particularly unfriendly for RVs in terms of driving in town, although the facilities a Candlestick Park, where the 49er football team plays, is reportedly an excellent location for parking one overnight.  There's even a shuttle that runs to the Muni train station.  Las Vegas certainly has many RV parks, and I'm puzzled as to why you can't locate these on-line.  I am certainly not an expert in RV travel, but I do recommend you browse the California State Park system, which often provides RV facilities, so of them even on the beach, such as at Aptos, a town just south of Santa Cruz.  There are also RV facilities at San Simeon, which is near the San Simeon Hearst National Monument (otherwise known as Hearst Castle).  Morro Bay is also a good place to look for RV parking and facilities, but the better nightlife is in San Luis Obispo.  There are some RV facilities in Yosemite as well, and I recommend that you and your friends consider the simplicity of nature and good hikes that this extraordinary place provides.  Good luck.