west coast travel advice

grey ghost · 05-11-2023, 10:20 AM

We are leaving Phoenix, AZ and headed to Washington state, these are the only states west of the Mississippi we have not traveled too. We also pull a 35' 5ver, wonder if HWY 1 and 101 are easy to pull or should we stay on the I-5. We will take I-5 up to San Francisco and then would like to pick up HWY 1 and 101 as far as we can...safely. Your thoughts and advice is always welcome!!!!!!

GaryUT · 05-11-2023, 01:51 PM

Stretches of highway 1 are not RV friendly.

Unless you are really set on seeing San Francisco I would stay on I5 to Highway 12 north of Stockton. Highway 12 takes you through Napa, catch highway 101 at Santa Rosa.

**chuckster57** · 05-11-2023, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryUT

Stretches of highway 1 are not RV friendly.

Unless you are really set on seeing San Francisco I would stay on I5 to Highway 12 north of Stockton. Highway 12 takes you through Napa, catch highway 101 at Santa Rosa.

I wouldn’t switch to 12 at Stockton/Lodi. It’s taking almost an hour to get from Lodi to Fairfield. Lots of construction and skinny lanes.

LuckyDog22 · 05-11-2023, 05:08 PM

Agree with Gary. A recent trip to Fortuna in our motorhome was painful at points. Lots of construction. Also we travel 12 from 5 to Antioch / 160 at least once a month. Highway 12 is known locally as death alley, is extremely congested, heavily traveled commuter route and mostly two lanes without a barrier. Something to keep in mind — California drivers are always in a hurry. I’ve been honked at on I 5 heading into Sacramento at 70 mph in my coach. Lastly I5 doesn’t go to San Francisco. To get there from 5 and avoiding two lane roads with drawbridges etc, I recommend 580 thru Oakland. I’d find a place to park and drop trailer. San Francisco is a place dear to me as I was born there, 4th generation even, and I avoid it now, it’s too dangerous, too many aggressive homeless, streets are literally paved with sh!t and needles. It’s sad, depressing and breaks my heart.
Coming from Phoenix up 5 you’ll be going over the worst pavement known to man. We make that trip annually to NASCAR and stop in Palm Springs overnight before heading to 5 . Every time something in our coach breaks from the potholes. I need to duct tape my microwave and refer closed! But that said, I’ve found a couple good places to stop along the way once you are over the Grapevine and one is free — Harris Ranch parking. Eat dinner and sleep in their big lot. I just joined this forum but I’ve lived in the SF Bay Area 73 yrs. We are planning to move to Cornville (near Cottonwod) next year.

Neo1130 · 05-12-2023, 09:11 AM

Basically from California, 101 is great. Check conditions on Hwy 1 though as I have noticed quite a few sections closed which I believe are results from land slides the past few months caused by all the rain they have received.

I REALLY suggest staying away from I-5 almost anywhere in WA state, especially on a Friday. Chehalis to Castle Rock are okay but that is only about 30-40 miles worth of decent traffic.

Neo1130 · 05-12-2023, 09:19 AM

Also for suggested places to stop in WA, in somewhat of an order if coming in from Astoria/101 from OR.

Cape Disappointment State Park and the light houses/Fort
Marsh's Free Museum in Long Beach, WA
Ruby Beach
Hoh Rainforest Olympic National Park
Lake Crescent
Olympic Game Farm
Fort Worden
Fort Flagler

I have DOZENS of others, but not sure what you're interested in seeing. I've been just about everywhere in WA state as far as campgrounds go...

Hblick48 · 05-12-2023, 09:44 AM

I've done both in either a class A with toad a 34 foot 5th wheel. 1 is narrow with lots of sharp switchbacks. Beautiful views of the Pacific. 101 is mostly 4 lane. A few 2 lane stretches when going through the Redwoods. There are also lots of camgrounds. Stay at one in the heart of the Redwoods, take time to enjoy. 5 will get your there, lots of farms, very rural in California.

DocWMB · 05-13-2023, 01:03 PM

Just finished the trip from Phoenix to Portland, OR. in late March. We went through Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Oregon. We wanted to avoid high fuel costs and traffic in California. Plus this was during the time when weather was terrible and all the passes over the Sierras and Cascades were blocked.

drycamper · 05-18-2023, 08:12 AM

My conventional hitch Cougar is 25' bumper to ball. I tow Hwy. 1 from Bodega Bay to Ft. Bragg. I don't think I'd be to comfortable on a couple sections, with much more behind me, but it's not impossible.

Prawnstar · 05-29-2023, 07:46 AM

I'm looking for info on overnight stays at casinos from WA to OR. I have heard there are some and would like some first hand information. Thanks

Neo1130 · 05-30-2023, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prawnstar

I'm looking for info on overnight stays at casinos from WA to OR. I have heard there are some and would like some first hand information. Thanks

* Ilani is a new Casino a tad north of Vancouver, WA. Haven't been there but it looks okay. It's RIGHT off of I-5 and the homeless issue is pretty rampant in the area. I don't think I'd recommend it...

* Lucky Eagle Casino Rochesters, WA - I would NOT recommend this one. I live about a mile from it and crime is HUGE there. From murders, thefts, drugs, etc. it is NOT a place to visit. It's worse than you hear in the news too. Casino is nice and I've heard they have an RV park, but have never seen it. I tend to stay away from this place as much as possible. During the day time it isn't THAT bad, but once the sun sets, the crazy comes out.

* Little Creek Casino - Shelton, WA - Good Casino. Little older, not quite outdated but has a good rustic feel to everything. Decent little RV campground. Shelton is a good area with minimal problems, until recently that is.

* Quinnault Beach - Ocean Shores, WA - Great casino, nice and quiet, on the beach. There is no campground here BUT there is a stat park next door. State parks are my favorite in WA state, especially Ocean City state park. Another favorite is Pacific Beach, just minutes north of Ocean Shores. Pacific beach is right on the beach, where Ocean City is tucked away in the bushes/woods but still has beach access.

Other ones I haven't been to in years and don't hear much about them, but I would recommend Little Creek OR Quinnault up above.

I can easily get more info on any others if you'd like...

DocWMB · 05-30-2023, 08:46 AM

Spirit Mountain Casino and Chinook Winds Casino are both just out of Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast and both are nice. I know Spirit Mountain has an RV Park attached.

Prawnstar · 05-30-2023, 12:34 PM

Thanks for the info Neo. I appreciate the intel. It seems that crime is rampant everywhere these days. Homeless camps in rest areas etc. Also thank you for your service.

Neo1130 · 05-31-2023, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prawnstar

Thanks for the info Neo. I appreciate the intel. It seems that crime is rampant everywhere these days. Homeless camps in rest areas etc. Also thank you for your service.

My pleasure. It was fun serving while I could.

As for crime? WA state has made it to where they criminals can run, but the cops can't do a dang thing about it. MOST felonies, they still cannot take chase...

The world has gone mad...

Prawnstar · 05-31-2023, 03:31 PM

My oldest son is a Col and my nephew is a Maj in the Canadian Air Force. They are both controllers and have worked on the AWACS. My nephew was in Anchorage during the big shaker. My son is posted to Vandenberg AFB this summer for a 3 year post.

rhagfo · 06-01-2023, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocWMB

Spirit Mountain Casino and Chinook Winds Casino are both just out of Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast and both are nice. I know Spirit Mountain has an RV Park attached.

Spirit Mountain just recently opened an RV at the casino, this is in addition to the RV parking area that appeared to allow boondocking. It is located on Hwy 18 which is a main hwy between the Portland area and the coast.

SD Kitty · 06-01-2023, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prawnstar

I'm looking for info on overnight stays at casinos from WA to OR. I have heard there are some and would like some first hand information. Thanks

Seven Feathers is really nice! Boondocking or site camping is the best on the I5 just north of the California border in Oregon. If I remember correctly it in Canyonville…..

Oh, in southern Cal, outside of Bakersfield is Orangegrove RV Park, it’s in a orange grove and in January you can pick oranges 😄

One final bought, the California highways are terrible and getting worse. I’ve made the I5 or 99 trip North and South for years and dread it.

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