Vacation Planner

San Francisco RV Resort

Take an RV to San Francisco? I pictured trying to maneuver a 40-foot diesel pusher down Lombard Street. Fortunately, there is a luxury ocean-front RV park 15 miles south of San Francisco, walking distance to public transportation that will take you right into town, where you can ride the cable cars, shop in the designer fashion district and dine at Fisherman's Wharf. Or you can take a private tour starting at the park. Full hookups. RV's up to 45 feet. Price: $50 to $69 per night, with weekly specials.

San Franciso RV Resort

Candlestick RV Park

Located right in the city, in front of Candlestick Park, this is the most convenient place to stay in an RV when visiting San Francisco. The sites are close together, without much privacy or greenery, but you will spend most of your time in the city anyway. Take a shuttle or city bus downtown. Price: $69 to $74 per night, except when the 49ers are playing.

Candlestick RV Park

Big Sur

We have not actually camped in an RV in Big Sur, although we have tent-camped there many times. Similarly, we have never driven an RV of any size along Highway 1 to Big Sur but we have been behind many RV's truding slowly along, blocking our view of the scenery. We highly recommend that you do not drive an RV north on the 1 from San Simeon, but drive up to Monterey/Carmel on the 101 and then drive south from there to Big Sur. Most of the famous landmarks are on that stretch (like Bixby Bridge) and by the time you get to the town of Big Sur you have seen enough of the rugged coastline, roaring surf, whale spouts in the distance, etc. Follow the link below for details on Big Sur campgrounds that offer RV sites. They say they accommodate 40 feet but I can't see bringing a luxury diesel pusher into that undeveloped wilderness/hippie haven. Depending on your vacation goals (i.e., if you just want to see Big Sur but not camp there) you could stay at a luxury resort in Carmel or Monterey and take a tour or rent a car to go to Big Sur for a day. If you want to explore the pines and coastline, practice your advanced surfing skills (bring a good wetsuit!) and ride horses on an uncrowded beach, try one of the Big Sur campgrounds linked below, but make your reservation well in advance, especially for summer months. Pfeifer-Big Sur State Park also offers RV camping (maximum length: 32 feet). However, fires in 2008 closed a portion of the park, so check with the state park service about this before planning a trip.

Big Sur

Monterey/Carmel

Monterey and Carmel are a must-stop for any RV trip up the California coast. For a beautiful ocean-front view, stay at Marina Dunes just north of Monterey(www.marinadunes.com). In woodsy Carmel Valley, a few miles inland from Carmel, stay at Carmel by the River RV Park (www.carmelrv.com) or Saddle Mountain RV Park (www.saddlemountain-carmel.com). Local attractions include gorgeous beaches, hiking and nature-watching at Point Lobos Reserve, the beautiful Carmel Mission, shopping at ritzy shops, Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Take a glass-bottom boat tour of the bay. Dine at world-famous restaurants. Take the kids to Dennis the Menace Park, a huge playground designed by the comic strip's creator. Santa Cruz is about 45 minutes north, with the famous Santa Cruz Boardwalk/amusement park. RV travel and parking in these small cities is difficult, but public transportation is abundant and some RV parks have shuttles into town.

Monterey/Carmel

Yosemite

You can bring an RV of up to 40 feet into the park, but there are only a few 40' sites. Most sites are 35 feet, but some are less. Maximum trailer lengths are less because of turning and backing considerations. Click the link below for a list of Yosemite park campgrounds and info about RV and trailer length restrictions. The campgrounds have no hookups, but they do have dump stations. If you camp in Yosemite Valley, a shuttle bus can take you to all the popular sights. Driving around the park, even from the gate to the valley, involves slow, windy, two-lane roads. Make reservations way, way in advance. Prices are $10 to $20 per night. Several private campgrounds outside the park are easier to get reservations for, but cost more and you need to find transportation into Yosemite. Try Yosemite Pines RV Park (www.yosemitepinesrv.com). For a list of National Park Service campgrounds located just outside the park, go to http://jrabold.net/yosemite/campn.shtml. Some allow RV's. Public transportation into the park is run by Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (www.yarts.com). If you are staying at a campground outside the park along the 120 or 140, you can catch a bus into the park. There is no public transportation coming in from the south on the 41.

Yosemite

San Simeon State Park

This is the closest campground to Hearst Castle. Maximum RV length is 35 feet. The sites have water but no hookups. There is a rugged beach and hiking trails, an early man archaeological site, kids' programs and more. If you want to visit Hearst Castle, make a reservation in advance through Reserve America (www.hearst.reserveamerica.com). There is RV parking in the Hearst Castle parking lot. San Simeon is the southern entrance to Big Sur. We do not recommend driving north on the 1 to Big Sur, especially in an RV. Rather, go north on the 101 (via Paso Robles) to Montery/Carmel and then drive the shorter route south to Big Sur from Carmel.

San Simeon State Park

Oceano Dunes/Pismo Beach

Why ride your quads and dune buggies in 120-degree desert temperatures when you can park your toy hauler on the beach and ride the dunes in the cool, salty breeze? Oceano Dunes is the only California state park where vehicles can be driven on the beach. You should have a 4-wheel drive vehicle since you are driving on sand. Make reservations for Reserve America, www.reserveamerica.com. Cost: $10 per night.

Oceano Dunes

Central Coast

Start with the link below for a list of San Luis Obispo County parks that offer RV camping. A great private campground in Pismo Beach is Pismo Coast Village (www.pismocoastvillage.com). San Luis Obispo is a quaint college town with a mission, antique shops and trendy boutiques. The Apple Farm Inn is a great place to stop and eat, but there is no RV parking in their small lot. Pismo Beach offers great beaches, golf (of course!), hiking, boating, fishing, ATV riding on the dunes at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area and more. Morro Bay destinations include Morro Bay State Park (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=594) and a private campground, Morro Dunes RV Resort (www.morrodunes.com). Go farther north to the artist's colony of Cambria or go through the Paso Robles wine country on your way back to the 101.

Central Coast

Sequoia and King's Canyon Parks

There's a lot to see in these parks, including the world's biggest trees, but the roads and campgrounds are not completely accessible to RV's. A few of the park campgrounds allow RV's of varying lengths. None of the sites has any hookups. Some roads are restricted to smaller vehicles. Lodgepole and Dorst are the only campgrounds that accept reservations - the rest are on a first-come, first-served. Because the roads are so winding and the campsite lengths often restricted, it's best to plan on taking a smaller RV to this park. Cost: $20 per night. Private campgrounds outside the park offer larger spaces, full hookups, swimming pools and other amenities. Try the Sequoia RV Ranch in Three Rivers (www.sequoiarvranch.com). The cost is double the in-park sites, and you have to find transportation into the park, or pick up camp every day to drive the RV in. Private RV parks might have information about public transportation or shuttles into the park.

Sequoia and King's Canyon