Fall is the perfect time to plan a California Coast RV road trip. Not only is the weather still beautiful (hello 85 degree days!) but you can book an RV with Cruise America RV for a fraction of the cost. They run annual fall promotions at 50% off their summer rates! Once Labor Day passes, the crowds and summer rush to the coast disappear and the kids are all back in school.
One of the most popular questions I get when sharing these trips on social media is, “Jessica, where do I even begin planning?!” So in today’s post, I am going to share with you how to plan your California Coast RV road trip, where we stayed, and what attractions we visited at each location.
Keep in mind that as a Californian family, we have been blessed with many opportunities and trips down the California coast. Use this post as a guide and a jump start for places to go and things to do, but remember that there is SO MUCH to see and do along the California coast.
If you have any questions with your planning, or just want more specifics, please send me an email, or a DM on Instagram. I will happily help you however I can!
We would like to thank Cruise America for partnering with us for this incredible California Coast RV trip. Although this was a sponsored trip, all thoughts and opinions of this trip are my own.
HOW TO PLAN YOUR CALIFORNIA COAST RV ROAD TRIP
Time Needed for your California Coast Trip
You could easily spend months traveling down the California coast, but we were able to get down the coast in 10 days. Ideally, for a slower pace and to allow more time for hikes, nature and free time, I would recommend a minimum of 2 weeks.
When my husband and I begin planning trips, one of the first things we do is consider how much time we actually have for the trip. We factor in our work schedule’s and our children’s schedules. Once we have dates solidified, then we can plan from there.
However, even once we have chosen dates for our trip, I still try to allow flexibility in our scheduling and allow room for moving the dates by 1 or 2 days. Sometimes, this requires us to pull our kids out of school. Since our children are still in the elementary grades, I have no problem with them missing a few days of class to go on family trips.
Keep in mind that before you pull your child out of school for a California Coast RV road trip (or any trip for that matter) there are steps you should take to ensure your child is prepared for missing class. As an elementary school teacher for the past 13 years, I want to share with you some tips to help prepare your child and YOU before missing school for a trip.
CLICK HERE to READ things you should do before taking your child out of school for trips.
Choosing the Right Destinations for your California Coast Trip
Before researching anything on the computer (there is SO MUCH information!!!!) we actually go to our friends and family first. We try to connect with anyone who has gone to the places we are planning on visiting, or if they know someone who experienced a similar trip.
Next, we scour the internet for HOURS on end. I particularly like to use PINTEREST as a guide to lead me to blogs about the places we want to explore. Based on that we make a “bucket list” of all the wants and wishes for the trip. We know that we are likely not going to be able to get to everything and see it all. BUT, it is nice to have a huge list to choose from.
RELATED POST: PLANNING YOUR NEXT FAMILY GETAWAY
Booking availability and reservations for sites along the California Coast
So now we have our time frame, our list of destinations and things that we want to see. Up next is checking booking availabilities and reservations for sites to stay at.
When booking our RV site accommodations we went through the Reserve California website. Reserve California is the California State Park reservation system for camping sites and tour ticketing opportunities.
If accommodations are not available at our desired locations through Reserve California, then we just did a simple Google search to find other private RV accommodations in the area. Prices were more expensive through private RV accommodations, but we needed a place to stay in those areas and we weren’t as flexible because of our short planning time.
For this particular trip we were able to book all of our RV sites for this specific trip less than 48 hours before leaving. (this last minute booking is not for me!)
Is this ideal? No. And I will tell you that the only reason we were able to get away with this is because we were traveling during the fall, we were booking most stays during the week (not weekends or holidays), and we were pretty flexible about where we ended up. I would recommend booking accommodations as soon as you solidify your travel dates.
Highlight Video of our Cruise America California Coast RV Trip
This trip was definitely all about making memories with our kids, and spending intentional and meaningful time as a family.
Capturing Our Memories from the Trip – One Scrapbook Page at a Time
Looking for a fun way to capture all of your memories from a trip like this one? Click on this post for a fun, engaging way to create a vacation memory book with your kids while you are on your next trip.
How to Create a Vacation Scrapbook
LIST OF SUGGESTED STOPS DOWN THE CALIFORNIA COAST
Since we are Californians we are fortunate that this is not our first, nor or last trip down the California coast. Had it been my first time down the coast I would have started my trip with a few days visiting the San Francisco area.
We were able to grab our RV from the Cruise America in Newark, California. Conveniently located 35 minutes from the San Francisco airport. So if you were coming from out of state you could fly in to any of the Bay Area airports (Oakland, San Jose, San Francisco, or even Sacramento) and grab your Cruise America RV rental from one of there many locations.
As a San Francisco Bay Area family our starting point is Santa Cruz, but I would suggest if you are from out of state or a first time visitor to California, that you should most definitely start your trip in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.
Santa Cruz, California
Day one of our trip included our first stop at Santa Cruz, California. We headed immediately to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk where we spent the day. You can’t go wrong with a beach front amusement park. Our children had never been, and Dave and I had not been since we were kids.
I was pleasantly surprised with how clean and safe I felt at the Boardwalk. Plan ahead if you are looking for ways to save money, and google search discount Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk tickets.
RV tip: although there is metered parking throughout Santa Cruz and around the Boardwalk area, rest assured that there is a PAID parking lot for cars and RVs located at the Boardwalk itself. As of October 2019, here are the rates for cars/RVs dependent on if rides are open or closed that particular day.
Limited Ride Days: $10, RV $10
Full Ride Days: $15, RV $30
Rides Closed: $5
Looking for more details about Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk?
RELATED POST: ADJUSTING YOUR EXPECTATIONS WHEN TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN
Monterey, California
RV Site: Monterey County Fair RV
After spending a full day of fun at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, we headed South to Monterey. Monterey is 43 miles from Santa Cruz on Highway 1. Approximate drive time is 45 minutes. We were able to get to our RV site, make dinner, and ride bikes before the sun set.
For our first two nights we stayed at the Monterey County Fairgrounds RV Park. The facilities were gated, clean, and quiet. I almost felt guilty letting my kids ride their bikes around the loop where our RV was parked because it was so quiet. I am not sure if it was the time of year (mid-October), but they were the only children there.
We spent the following day in Monterey down on Cannery Row. One of the main attractions in Monterey, besides the awesome fresh seafood, is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. At first glance, the Monterey Bay Aquarium tickets are PRICEY! But I can say that it is the best aquarium we have ever visited. We never leave disappointed.
If you are taken back by the price of the tickets for the aquarium, or you would just rather do other things in Monterey with your family there is a ton to do! You can walk and shop along Cannery Row, visit the Wharf, kayak, or even rent a surrey for your whole family! Check out all of the adventures to be had in Monterey area with Cannery Row| Adventures by The Sea.
After a full day at Cannery Row and the Wharf, we made plans to have dinner at The Monterey Fish House. Dave has been wanting to visit this restaurant since he saw it on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. Let me tell you. It. Did. Not. Disappoint! Check the hours, and if possible make reservations. This place literally had a line to the street for people waiting to get a table an hour before it even opened! The seafood and pasta was fresh and kid approved!
San Simeon, California
RV Site: Hearst San Simeon State Beach
Rise and shine! It’s time to leave Monterey and head to our third stop on our California Coast RV trip was San Simeon. San Simeon is 96 miles from Monterey on Highway 1. Approximate drive time is 2.5 hours. Alternate route is 147 miles on Highway 101 South. Approximate drive time is 2.5 hours. When you see photos of highway 1 in a magazine, this is the stretch of coastal views that you are seeing.
Mom Tip: if your children are susceptible to motion sickness, now would be the time to give them Dramamine. This is not a forgiving stretch of drive. There are a lot of switch backs hugging the coast line. But the views are incredible and worth the nausea!
There are so many beautiful stops between Monterey and San Simeon. If you are looking for more places to add to your trip, I would recommend: Carmel and the 17 mile drive, as well as Big Sur. There are so many wonderful hikes, waterfalls, and nature trails along this stretch of the coast.
Our family decided to spend our time in San Simeon exploring Hearst Castle. Dave and I visited over 12 years ago and each time we come back, I am reminded why. I would recommend making reservations for tours in ADVANCE for Hearst Castle. You can get tickets the day of, but you may not be able to get tickets for the particular tour you want.
Mom tip: Strollers are not allowed in Hearst Castle. Plan ahead and bring a baby carrier for your little ones. Like many other guided tours, these tours are designed for adults. Snacks and drinks are also not allowed inside Hearst Castle – so make sure you have your plan on how to keep your little one busy while on the tour.
Looking for more details on Hearst Castle?
Pismo Beach, California
RV Site: Pismo State Beach
Pismo Beach is 48 miles from San Simeon on Highway 1. Approximate drive time is 1 hour. Alternate route is 61 miles on Highway 101 South. Approximate drive time is 1 hour. Pismo Beach itself is best known for its sand dunes and ATV fun. There are plenty of local companies where you can rent ATVs by the hour, half day or full day.
Our favorite thing to do while visiting this area is relaxing at Avila Beach. Approximately a 12 minute drive from Pismo Beach, Avila Beach is a charming beach town with small shops and a few restaurants. With our RV trip as jammed packed as it is, it is nice having a day of just doing nothing but relaxing.
Once we finished our day at Avila Beach we headed to our campsite for the evening. Pismo State Beach Campground which we booked on Reserve California.
Santa Barbara, California
RV Site: Carpinteria State Beach Campground
Santa Barbara is 82 miles from Pismo Beach on Highway 1. Approximate drive time is 1.5 hour. Alternate route is 94 miles on Highway 101 South. Approximate drive time is 1.5 hour.
There are so many things to see and do in Santa Barbara. Our favorite is taking the bikes along the beach to cruise along Shoreline Drive and West Cabrillo Blvd. There is a lot of action along the beach line, including restaurants, street vendors selling trinkets and jewelry, and plenty of opportunities for people watching.
Two kid friendly spots along this bike path, include the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center.
Santa Monica, California
RV Site: Crystal Cove State Park
Santa Monica is 92 miles from Santa Barbara on Highway 1. Approximate drive time is 1.75 hour. Alternate route is 104 miles on Highway 101 South. Approximate drive time is 2 hours. Although California natives, Dave and I both had never experienced Santa Monica and we wanted to check out the infamous Santa Monica Pier and thought this California coast RV road trip was the perfect opportunity to check it out.
To be completely honest, I was not impressed with Santa Monica Pier. It was an overcrowded, overpriced tourist trap, and one that I probably won’t return to. The kids weren’t all that impressed either. Especially after we had just spent an earlier part in our trip at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. As we said that afternoon as we drove away, “We came. We saw. We Santa Monica’d.”
Traffic to get from Santa Monica to our campsite was a NIGHTMARE! Keep in mind when planning your drive times to and from destinations that California traffic (especially Southern California) can get exceptionally congested during peak commuter hours.
Our campsite for the night was at Crystal Cove State beach. I will not lie. This was my FAVORITE RV overnight location of the entire trip. My husband and I are planning on going back to just this RV park because of its high level of cleanliness, ocean views, and location. I could have posted up and stayed here for a week.
Carlsbad, California
RV Site: South Carlsbad State Beach
Carlsbad is 101 miles from Santa Monica on Interstate 405 South. Approximate drive time is 1.75 hour. Alternate route is 103 miles on Interstate 5 South. Approximate drive time is 2 hours. We had a very specific kid friendly destination in mind when we chose Carlsbad as one of our stops.
We spent the majority of our time in Carlsbad at the Legoland California Park. In the words of my 7 year old son as we left the park at closing, “Mom, this was the best day of my entire life.” He is a die-hard Lego fan, and we knew we would have to get him to the park someday. We are so happy that we made this stop for our kids.
I am currently working on a blog post for how to maximize your day at the Legoland California Park. Once I have that published I will link it back to this post as well.
Our RV site at South Carlsbad State Beach was also on my “MUST RETURN TO SOMEDAY” list. We were so close to the ocean that we could hear the waves crashing at night while we slept in the RV. When we woke up in the morning we ate breakfast at the picnic table in our site and watched about 3 dozen surfers hitting the waves. It was pretty awesome.
San Diego, California
RV Site: Campland on the Bay
San Diego is 34 miles from Carlsbad on Interstate 5 South. Approximate drive time 45 minutes. Alternate route is 35 miles on Interstate 805 South. Approximate drive time is 45 minutes. When planning your California coast RV road trip, you can’t miss San Diego.
San Diego is truly a wonderful place to visit time and time again. It’s family friendly, has beautiful weather year round, and has something for everyone. I found this great list from LaJolla Mom of the best things to do with your kids in San Diego.
At this point in the journey you basically have two choices. You can return your RV at a San Diego location (additional fees do apply for one way rentals) OR you can spend a day on highway 5 cruising back north. We of course spent the day cruising up the 5 with very little stops.
FUN THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS ON YOUR ROAD TRIP
Looking for a fun, NO COST game to bring along on your next ROAD TRIP? Click on the SPOT IT! game board below to print out this FREE PRINTABLE 50 States License Plate Game. We originally had printed out one per person and were all trying to see who could get the most, but we eventually realized we loved working off on sheet and finding the license plates together.
By the end of our 10 day California Coast RV road trip we had found 43 of the 50 USA license plates along the journey. Click on the image to take you to the FREE PDF printable.
I hope that this California Coast RV road trip planning guide is helpful to you and your family as you enjoy the beauty of the California Coast. If you have any specific questions, or you are looking for an answer that you just don’t see please leave a comment on my page or send me an email. I would love to help you plan your California Coast RV trip.
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