California Coast RV Camping
RV travelers can find amazing diversity in all 1,200 miles of the California coast. Pine trees and jagged rocks run right down to the water in the north, while Southern California features palm trees on sandy beaches. Each area offers its own distinct camping experience along the beach. Day trips, an important backbone of many RV camping trips, are abundantly available and as varied as the coastal terrain.
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Northern Coast
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To visit the wilder side of California, point your compass north. From the Oregon border south to San Francisco, this area has stunning ecosystems that you will find nowhere else. Excellent day trips include visiting the renowned Redwood National Forest and the vineyards of Sonoma County. Some lesser known surprises can also be found, such as the collapsed sea cave at the Russian Gulch State Park. Get the most out of the California sun by skipping the rainy season from November to March.
Central Coast
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Explore the California coast in an RV. Spectacular camping awaits visitors at the Central California coast, and the weather makes for ideal conditions during most of the year. There is a lesser rainy season, and temperatures stay in a comfortable 50- to 70-degree Fahrenheit range. The beaches turn from rock to sand as the coast winds past the San Francisco Bay. In some areas, as at the Pismo Dunes, you can drive your RV right up to the ocean and camp on the beach.
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Southern Coast
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As you head south toward Mexico, the coastal campgrounds run through Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. In some areas, the cities are close enough to visit easily on a day trip. Driving an RV through these towns can be difficult, so travelers may want to bring a bicycle or use public transportation. There is still plenty of wilderness available to camp at, as at the 4,000-acre Malibu Creek State Park.
State Parks
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State Parks are a wonderful place to RV camp in California. With locations all over the coast, campers have a large selection to choose from. It's OK to bring your dog as long as you follow leash laws, but he'll have to stay inside at night and when you are on the trail or beach. Campers can go online to the California State Park website to see campgrounds with availability or to search for specific facility amenities and park activities.
Driving an RV along the Coast
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Although camping along the California coast lets RV campers skip the mountain passes, Highway 101 still has plenty of perils of its own. Much of this highway is mixed with curves and hills as it follows the jagged coastline, so drivers will need to take it slow. Driving near metro areas can be congested with sluggish traffic, but you can plan your route around many of these regions.
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References
- Photo Credit california coast image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com camping bus image by Gilles Paire from Fotolia.com
