Seattle to L.A. Trip Report

[Supersporttramp]

Hi all,

For the December Holiday break, we decided to get some sunshine in LA. We drove off in the morning from near Seattle and headed South. Made it to Redding, but ended up staying over night in Red Bluffs. We were in a rush since snow storm was coming to Mt. Shasta area. We made it fine and next morning made it to L.A. via Bakersfield.



On the way, we visited Reagan Library and enjoyed the history. Stopped at a fruit stand and had local fresh teeny tiny oranges.


After some excellent BBQ dinner at Quarters and some shaved snow(ice) at Snow LA, we headed to Huntington Beach. We figured we would be safe boon docking near the pier since it was Christmas. The RV park there was full anyways. As soon as we fell asleep around 10 PM, a loud blast from the police came: "please pack up and leave the parking lot is closed". Then he knocked on the van and we had a chat. We drove around a bit and found a spot near the mall and a construction site.


Next few days we had fun around L.A. including Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier and Universal Studios. Universal Studios has a great parking lot for RVs & oversized vehicles. Good thing about riding the van is we were able to pack long board, scooters for the kids to ride around the beaches.



Instead of boring I-5, we decided to head up the coast via Big Sur. We stopped at Pismo Beach for breakfast, Mexican dinner in Santa Barbara, then Moonstone Beach (lovely with small pebbles), Elephant Seal beach, Big Sur (big traffic jam), Monterey, then back to I-5.






This was the longest road trip we took, and checked out spots where we want to come back to (Central Coast). We made it back before the flash flood and rain storms. We got the mobile wi fi from T-Mobile for the trip and it came in very handy. Was glad we were headed North by Big Sur, scary cliffs. Nothing like CA sunshine and palm trees for a break.


Some cities may be out of order since my memory is poor.
The van will need to go to the shop for brake issues, but hope to hit local spots soon when the weather warms up.

[arctictraveller]

Great report and nice photos, thanks. When in the big city and looking for a place to boondock, I often times park in hotel parking lots, under the brightest light I can find, so any interior lights don't show. I also try to keep things dim inside and make as little noise as possible, but I don't think too many hotels have roving parking lot monitors in the middle of the night, and I've never been troubled. I normally arrive well after dark and depart early in the morning. Casinos and marinas other possible spots. I did once find a very nice note on my windshield in the morning while parked at a San Diego marina. It said, we noticed you don' t have a parking permit, so when you have time, would you please stop by the harbormasters office to get one? The assumption was that I was a boat owner or visitor.........

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by Supersporttramp

...On the way, we visited Reagan Library and enjoyed the history. Stopped at a fruit stand and had local fresh teeny tiny oranges...

Ojai Pixies, or Cuties? Lived near that area (Ventura) for over 20 years, so enjoyed those for a long time.


Herb

[Supersporttramp]

Thanks, we didn't even pop our top, cops are on alert there I think. Hotel lots are good idea.
The tiny oranges were about 1/4 the size of Cuties.

(Regular orange shown next to it for scale with a baby banana)