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West coast trip

Yahoo Message Number: 69719
To all of you with that knowledge of highways and campgrounds - Help-- We are planning a trip to help the economy. Start in Webster, TX. and go to California - to the coast near San Luis Obispo. Run hwy 1 up the coast to the Columbia River - (Must stop in Napa along the way to restock)- then back home.

Going to California - will take I10. Coming back - open.
All input welcomed - campgrounds, good fuel stops, don't miss sights to see, good HWYs and bad grades up or down.

Jim Bowen
Webster, TX
Serengeti 40'

Re: West coast trip

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69722
Jim, I wouldn't waste my time in Napa, it has turned into a real TT (tourist trap) and the wines are expensive. There are a lot of wineries around San Luis Obisbo to keep you busy for a month. They also have good sales going on so you can really stock up. That is one of our stops on our way north.

The Wine Country RV Park in Obisbo is very nice.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: West coast trip

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69723
Jim, I took I-8 in Calif west bound in Dec. It has a major grade coming west from Yuma. I came back on I-10 and found this to be a less stressful route.

Ernie Ekberg
Weatherford, Tx 76086
817-475-3991
www.ernieekbergflooring.net

Re: West coast trip

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69724
Since you plan to travel all the way North to the Columbia River, I would suggest you save room for some Oregon wines. There are a number of very good wineries in Oregon, particularly in the Willamette Valley area.

S Brandt, '06 Intrigue, #11964

Re: West coast trip

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69727
Hwy #1 is closed in central Calif. Seems all this rain has caused part of it to slide into the ocean, no date on when repairs will be completed. A great area for wine is Amador county east of sacramento, they have 2 very nice RV parks in the area, plymouth and Jackson. You would be in the foothills, heart of the gold county. About 30 wineies in a 15 mile area. Check it out on the net. We visit ever summer during July.

Mike spinetti
allure #31619

las vegas, where else

Re: West coast trip

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69728
Hwy 1 in California can be a hit and miss proposition. Just forget about the road above Jenner California. Now that its Spring in West Texas, N. Mexico, Ariz, and Southern California and you are heading west, I would recommend on watching the weather for high winds. If you have to travel start at Sunrise and plan being parked by 1:00 PM on windy days to stay out of trouble and save fuel. There are nice Parks along the way. Las Cruces, Tucson, Phoenix, Especially Kerrville. Fort Stockton will be OK, nothing fancy. There is nothing wrong with I-8, excepting the wind can pull off awnings if not properly adjusted and or secured. You have to visit San Diego and near by cities. Palm Desert and Indio are great until middle May and then it can be toasty. Don't care for the LA BAsin myself, even though there is lots to do and see. The air pollution and I don't agree with each other. From then on its Hwy 1 and 101. Its your choice. I stay in Santa Rosa or Calistoga to visit the wineries. You might want park and use your car to visit the Redwoods. The Oregon coast is fantastic, but do take time to visit Eugene, the Willamette Valley. Visit, OMC, CC, Davis CABINETS, CARR INDUSTRIES, JERRY'S HARDWARE, NORTHWEST RV SUPPLY, ETC, ETC. TWI 2004 INTRIGUE 11731

Re: West coast trip

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69731
OUCH, that hurt Don!

You are correct of course, the Napa Valley has become very expensive for the unwary. Too many Yuppies and Corporate types wanting to live and visit the beautiful Napa Valley have pushed the price of some restaurants and wines beyond the reach of most ordinary folk.

But that is not a good reason to shun the area. The views of the vines, the hills and the buildings are the same whether you have ten millions dollars or just ten dollars.

Trust me, the average local knows where to shop for wine and where to eat out a reasonable cost. Remember, the decor of the restaurant may be better in some places but what really counts is the person or persons that sit opposite you.

Of course the locals also know which wineries do not charge them for wine tasting and which restaurants offer no corkage.

Maybe one person in a hundred really knows how to taste wine and has a palate that appreciates the finer products of Napa Valley and that person should come to the Valley (Napa) for it truly does have some World Class wines.

For myself, I'm about one level up from Thunderbird! At a restaurant my wallet freezes at anything over $23,00 for a good Chardonnay and at the retail store I do not pay over $12.00. That said, my wife and I have figured out what wines suit our palate in that price range and then only buy when the price fits our parameters. I have even identified a Cabernet for around $5.00 that is equal to more expensive wines. It just doesn't have the glitz of a pricier label competitor.

If we dine out with friends we know which restaurants offer specials and charge no corkage. We take our own wine but do drop a good tip, after all the wait staff deserve to receive recognition.

So please don't be too quick to write off Napa County.

David, '06 Allure. (Who happens to be in Napa right now and has known Napa since 1971, including several years of residency.)

Re: West coast trip

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69734
I'll second Wine Country RV, nice park, nice staff. It's on 41 (or maybe 46 - memory fade) in Pas Robles. If you like red's, I can recommend both Justin's and Tobin James. Wild Horse is a nice visit, with a few bottles of old Lime Kilm Zif if they have any in stock, the oldest vines in California... Neat story. Wine Country RV has a list of all of the other nice wines of the area, J Lohr is also just down the road. Also, you can take a nice day drive over to Hearst, Morrow Bay, or up a bit north on 1 to Ragged Point for lunch.
101 is a nice drive, so popping in and out to 1 as needed off of 101, is another way to work up the coast...
Calistoga has a very central RV park, and close to all of the local Napa wines.
101 up the coast thru the redwoods is very nice. Patricks Point State Park is nice over night stay...

Bdst of luck,
Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: West coast trip

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69737
I will second (or third) Wine Country. And I personally think Paso Robles is better than Napa for wine. There are some really great wineries there!

Al Colby

2000 Intrigue 10979

Re: West coast trip

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69750
WINE COUNTRY RV is a great park. Super people. More than 50 vineyards within 10 mi.
Firestone winery Wine tasting is next door.
Jw

06 inspire 51544

Re: West coast trip

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69751
jw,

Does there their wine taste like tires?

Just had to ask...

Sorry

Mikee

Re: West coast trip

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69757
No, but you can roll down the hill to your coach from the tasting room.
No need to drive.
Jw

06 inspire 51544

Re: West coast trip

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69762
Thank you for the input - I go to Napa for one thing V. SATTUI. small but one of the

best on the west coast. They have been shipping their wines to me for years.

I also like the Paso Robles area and will be stopping there for a few days and a case
or two.

Jim Bowen
98 Serengeti

Re: West coast trip

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69784
Sattui also has a great picnic area. At their store you can buy a bottle of wine, some cheese and french bread and enjoy.
Dale Loop

Intrigue 11240