I'm not clear on what you're referring to about being out of chronological order, Marcela, as everything was filmed within a six-day period. Nevertheless, we present segments in an order that will provide the most compelling content for our viewers. As for CA-1, it's a treacherous road with a 54-foot vehicle no matter what, but oncoming vehicles crossing the double yellow on blind curves makes it even more so.
Mark, a wonderful Grand Adventure! My wife and I lived in western Sonoma County for twenty years! We were married a few miles up the Russian River at Armstrong Woods Redwood Reserve and could bicycle to the coast. This area is truly magical, and you certainly showed what a special place it is. Fort Ross and Goat Rock are not to be missed and watch for rogue waves near the mouth of the Russian River. You nailed it all!
Welcome to our County of Sonoma!! We’ve done tent camping at Ocean Cove, but had to move to the back area. It can be pretty windy there, but I have been there in November with no wind and in the 70’s! You were very fortunate to have gotten that spot! The last couple times we have been there, there were empty campers parked along the cliff. Coastal Highway 1 is not for the faint of heart, especially with a trailer. It is worse with a long Class C, which I have done, and I can’t imagine driving it with a long class A. Russian River has some canoe rentals further up the river at Healdsburg and also at Guerneville. We’ve seen the waves come over that parking lot at Goat Rock. Doran Beach is our spot for day use and our annual camping in February - no cold fog in the winter. However, it can get pretty windy there as well. The sites at the end are usually busy with crab fishermen and the sites on the bay side are quieter. Dogs have to be on a leash; there are bobcats lurking. They have had Russian festivals at Fort Ross. Sorry for the lengthy comment. Glad you enjoyed it! Ram and Kuuipo 👍🏼👍🏾
Don't ever apologize, we love the insight from you both! There were a bunch of empty campers at Ocean Cove while we were there, apparently from weekenders who leave them there throughout the week. However, they're now all tucked into one area back in the trees. None of them were near the cliff. That peninsula spot was occupied when we arrived on Monday afternoon, Memorial Day. We nevertheless got a spot along the cliff about halfway between there and the boat launch/fish cleaning station as most folks left on Monday. However, that peninsula spot vacated on Tuesday morning, so we hurriedly packed up and moved into it before anyone else could snag it. The Sonoma Coast will surely be one of the highlights of our 2023 season.
Great Video, I live in the next city over from Dixon in Vacaville. If I only knew. Well for your viewers, the best way to get to Ocean Cove in a RV is use 101N then left on River Road, which turns into 116. Following the Russian River all the way to Jenner. Then you only have 17 miles of white Kunkle driving. Thanks Don
Well Mark, you as always did a fantastic job, this video is one of if not the most beautiful and your productions are so professional. I so look forward to seeing more from you. Thanks again, Mark, sincerely, THOMAS.
Few people in CALIFORNIA travel past San Francisco.....after Santa Rosa, hardly anyone from CALIFORNIA knows life exist beyond there.... it's the unknown part kf CALIFORNIA
One of the best sites you’ve found! Kudos to the owners for keeping it affordable. Now that I know of a decent place for Cod, I can venture further west. But 18% grades?? Glad I’m in the minivan.
Thank you for another beautiful and informative production. You are quite correct that Highway 1 is a drivable but challenging RV route. During the high season, it is also quite a bit more congested. It's safe to calculate an average speed below 30 mph. 101 to the east is significantly easier for north south travel with predominantly devided highway with a few narrow sections threading through the ancient redwoods. Another link to the coast is the highway between Willits and Fort Bragg, which is yet another fabulous hidden gem of the Northern California Coast with extensive services and great attractions.
Thank you! Yep, that's a good description of route 1. Our strategy for CA-1 has been to escape as quickly as possible to the 101. We loved the Fort Bragg area, too. Years ago we stayed just north of there at Westport-Union Landing State Beach: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-soBlsXhiZII.html
Have tent camped at Ocean Cove a couple times while friends abalone dived Never taken the RV there....All those tables are fairly new, it used to be just a field with a port o potty.......Not a fan of the place....Seen very nasty weather there to the point you really dont want to be there....Looks like ya'll didnt have that problem....Have made several day trips to Bodega Bay to get Dungeness Crab when in season and of course some chowder....Have also stayed at the Jetti campground there....Looking forward when you get to the Oregon coast, am a much bigger fan of that area...Have have done the Hwy 101 ride several times...Travel safe, be well....
Thank you! It would have been pretty miserable in the tent when that gale came through. But an RV is a different story. We absolutely adored our time there. See you in a few weeks on the Oregon coast!
I live just a few miles north of here in Fort Bragg. We do love the ocean ( been here since 1976 ) but go inland to get warm every chance we get. That cold wind and fog can be too much sometimes. We just got back from a 3 week trip to the Cascade mountain range in Oregon and their fantastic snow capped volcanoes, and the Columbia River Gorge...We loved the Sisters area most of all.
Nice, Sueann! We came to the coast to not worry about hot weather. 😄 We always want what we don't have. Years ago we stayed just north of Fort Bragg at Westport - Union Landing State Beach.
You stayed in the exact same site we had when we went there more than ten years ago. I agree the site was amazing! That being said, I'm also glad that you did talk about the drive. My husband is a seasoned driver with lots of towing experience, and our rig is similar in size to yours (maybe even a little smaller). He vowed, never again on Hwy 1. Even for such a beautiful site, we decided the stress getting there pretty much ruined it for us. But that's us, and everyone needs to find their own comfort level.
We agree completely, Victoria. That's why we shared our towing experience and showed a few snippets, so folks can decide for themselves whether it's within their own comfort level. It's not for the faint of heart, for sure!
I have a reasonably priced bridge in Brooklyn you may be interested in. Ah ha ha ha. At $45 a night, that is just $16,425 dollars a year to stay there.
I was really inspired by this video. I live near Bodega Bay so I drove up to assess the road for my trailer. My guess is 50/50 that I'd sideswipe the hillside or another vehicle. How did you manage it?
Thank you Frank! Not Lake Shasta, but another one in the northern Sacramento Valley. And this one was full, too. We will have details for you next week.
Glad you enjoyed it, Steve We've got a couple of more California episodes upcoming before we move out of state, including the next one from the mystery lake.
Talk about million dollar campsite view, especially out of that thin window with waves crashing. Daaang Also, interesting look at the Russian settlement. Most folk here in USA do not know that Russians have had a significant stronghold on the west coast for several hundred years now. In fact there are close to 1.5 million direct descendants on the west coast from original colonies. There are places where towns are 80% Russian in some places. Really cool part of our history.
Another fantastic video, Mark! You always do a wonderful job showcasing such beauty. Another spot to add to our bucket list. Thank you so much. Continued safe travels to you.
Thank you so much for all of your wonderful videos. My wife and I are scheduled to go full time in 2025, and your channel helps us both plan and daydream. God Bless!
Thank you! We got really, really lucky. Part of the plan was arriving the Memorial Day Monday afternoon as most folks were leaving. The folks in that site, though, didn't leave until Tuesday morning, but the moment they did we knew immediately that it was worth moving.
There's no choice but to do it with the RV, for there's no other way to get there. 35 ft is pushing it, but I'm not saying you can't. It would just require being very slow and very careful.
Yep, a great exception. We also hate to pay and would rather boondock for the freedom it affords, but as we're now working our way up the PNW coast, if you want to be remotely near the water you really have little to no option.
Looks like you’re heading to my neck of the woods… Central Coast? Lots to see and do… Yes, CA is expensive….and we have a ton of great places to visit, hike, kayak, explore, and sip great vino🍷.
Great places in California. Amazing campsite you have..Detailed information is appreciated... I have been to Bodega ,Muir woods and Stinson beach now I'll have to go a little further north... Thanks GA
Thank Marc, beautiful and informative. Appreciate the information regarding dog friendliness as California can be a challenge.. BTW if you’re heading to Trinity Lake checkout the Trinity Alps wilderness area for spectacular hiking.
Thank you Suzanne! We actually drove through the Trinity Alps to get to our current location from the location of next week's video. It's a beautiful area.
This Friday I'll be exactly 6 months away from my last day at work. The area in this video is one of the areas where I've dreamed about going. This will be another flag on my google map for our Grand adventure starting in January 2024. Thanks for your awesome scouting ahead videos!
I actually lived in CA before moving to Idaho. I was an officer in the USN stationed in Lemoore. I traveled all over the state. Should also mention I was there when I was in the 5th grade, my uncle and aunt took me camping , I fell in love with the outdoor life....
Marc, That was definitely a very beautiful location along the ocean. I really enjoyed seeing the extended scenes and charge in weather. Seems like allot of wildflowers this year along the westcoast... Gord
@@GrandAdventure Marc, I guess it's been that way throughout the west and southwest this year. Colorado should also be great, but you will likely miss it, based upon your general location. Where are you now? Gord
😄 We get it completely, Bill. While I won't get into politics here as a matter of policy, the cost of everything (and particularly fuel), congestion, etc. will discourage many from traveling through the state. However, California is also a state of incredibly diverse natural beauty that has a lot to offer the RV traveler.
I hope you had time to eat at cattlemen restaurant in Dixon; they serve a great steak dinner! You went through my city of Vallejo on your way to the coast. Love Goat rock beach : if we take the dogs it's the south beach,no dogs it's the north beach. I hate hwy 1: great motorcycle ride,sucks for towing a RV! Stay safe.
P.S. The reason there is no dispersed camping spots anymore is because the coast had too many people (from all places inland) abuse and trash every single turn out. Ugg...Now the Oregon Coast is the same way unfortunately. No more boondocking on the immediate coastline.
Without going into too much detail, Bob, I get that. But going on principle alone misses some of the stunning beauty across that state. It really does have a lot to show an RV traveler, even someone who disagrees with the state's policies.
