Expert: Steve Summers - 7/27/2003

Question
Hi Steve,

Interesting initiative you are undertaking to help people ahead!
Next we are planning a holiday to Western USA. We are a family of 4 persons (two kids 9 and 13) and we travel together with another family, 2 children about the same age.
For one of the weeks we are looking for a nice play to stay close to the "big" attractions in LA and San Diego. We like to have something with sufficient facilities you in Europe for instance will find on a campingground like a swimmingpool for all visitors, sports facilities. Houses or cottages suitable to host 4 persons etc.

Can you advise us where to look and what kind of area's suits our interests?

Thanks in advance for you information.

Kind regards,
Ruud de Greef (The Netherlands)

Answer
Hi Ruud!

Most of the accomodations here in the US are hotels (nicer) and motels (less expensive, but some are not so nice). There are not many campgrounds around Los Angeles and San Diego that have cottages. However, I do have a few ideas:

Newport Dunes in Newport Beach is very nice, and not too far from Disneyland. They have a prime location by the ocean, and have a swimming pool and cottages. Check out their web site at www.newportdunes.com.

Campland on the Bay is a nice RV Park/Campground on Mission Bay in San Diego. There are also some tent sites available. There is a pool and spa, and it is located right on Mission Bay across from Sea World. See www.campland.com.

Canyon RV Park in Anaheim also has cabins and a pool, but does not have all of the nice amenities of Newport Dunes and Campland. For one, it is not located on the beach. But it is very close to Disneyland and is not too far from LA. See www.canyonrvpark.com.

Have you thought of renting an RV or two? We rent out our own RV through an agency. You can check out our RV at www.rvcentral.com. Look for the 2003 Storm in group 7. Taking an RV opens up a lot of possibilities for you, in terms of other places to stay. Here are some RV parks in the area (in addition to the ones mentioned above):

Orangeland RV Park- 5 minutes from Disneyland, www.orangeland.com.

Anaheim Resort RV Park- Free shuttle to Disneyland. www.anaheimresortrvpark.com. Mostly concrete sites.

Pomona/Fairplex KOA- A decent RV park in Pomona, which is 20 miles from downtown LA and about 15 miles from Disneyland. www.koa.com/where/ca/05438.htm.

Chula Vista RV Park- Great RV park, just south of San Diego, just across from beach. www.gocampingamerica.com/Chulavista

Hope this helps,

Steve