AboutSteve Springer Expertise I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I`ve lived in the Valley, west side, east side, and South Bay, so I`m an expert on getting around town. I`m knowledgeable about all of the Southern California tourist attractions. I am also an expert on state beaches in Southern California, and have an expansive camping background. No relocation/moving questions, please.
Expert: Steve Springer Date: 6/13/2008 Subject: San Francisco to L.A in an RV
Question Hi Steve
We are a family from England GB picking up an RV in San Francisco and travelling to L.A we have the RV for 10 days. We will be travelling with two boys aged 15 and 16. We would like to go inland, Yosemite etc but also drive along the coast. Have you any route plans and recommended campsites you could share with us.
Thanks for your time Keith
Answer Hi Keith,
Yosemite is not to be missed. Unfortunately, it is a ways inland. I've done the trip before, so it's doable.
In San Francisco, you can stat at the San Francisco RV Park in Pacifica. From here, you can take BART into the city and explore.
A good source of rv parks is rvparkreviews.com. You can check out RV parks in a city, and follow links to make reservations.
From SF, go east on 580 into the San Joaquin Valley, which turns into 205 east, which eventually takes you to highway 120. Highway 120 winds its way into the Sierra Nevada range, where you might be able to find a spot in Groveland, or ideally, Yosemite Valley. Yosemite Valley campsites have no hookups, but that hardly matters.
For Yosemite Reservations, go to http://www.recreation.gov/.
After your trip in Yosemite, take highway 41 south through Fresno, and then take highway 46 to the coast. Spend the night in San Simeon, just north of 46. Visit Hearst Castle.
On your way south, spend a night in Pismo Beach. If you cannot get a site at pismo coast village (the upscale RV Park), try reserveamerica.com and get a spot at Pismo State Beach. Great little beach town.
Another great little beach town is Carpinteria, located just past Santa Barbara. They have hookups there, if you can get a reservation. Read my other posts where I wax eloquent about Carpinteria. (www.reserveamerica.com)
In Los Angeles, there aren't any RV parks in LA proper. My suggestion would be to try Anaheim Resort RV park, which is a block from Disneyland. It is on the corner of Ball Rd and Harbor Blvd. From there, you can take a shuttle to the train stop by Angels Stadium, and catch a train into Los Angeles and Hollywood. Or just rent/hire a car.
