WEST COAST TRAVEL WINTER TIME

Sparky

334
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: 12/12
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2008
Slide: No
Location: Houston, Texas

WEST COAST TRAVEL WINTER TIME

« on: December 26, 2013, 12:10:18 pm »

Has anyone driven I-5 from LA to Seattle,,, during DECEMBER.. thinking about driving up there next Christmas,,,would actually be coming from Texas... I-10 to LA is usually no problem unless bad storm coming through.

sparky

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gl1500

205
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: May. 2014
Model: 2551
ModelYear: 2551/2014
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Hickory
ExtColor: Cafe'
Location: Idaho

Re: WEST COAST TRAVEL WINTER TIME

« Reply #1 on: December 26, 2013, 02:30:12 pm »

Sparky,
We do this trip several times each year in the winter from Idaho to Portland, Ore. down I-5 to San Diego. Basically, there are two areas you can run into real winter weather. The first is I-5 North of LA going over the Grapevine. On rare occasions a snow storm has shut down this area. Usually not for long. If we run into this and there is going to be a lengthy delay, we go up Hgwy 101 and then cut back over from Hgwy 152 to I-5 North of Salinas, CA. The second area on I-5 is crossing the mountains from Calif. into Oregon. This is where we run into most of our winter weather and at times we are required to have chains. They are usually good at keeping these areas open as they are so well traveled. One year we got in a heavy snow storm outside Portand, Ore. and the area was basically shut down. People were abandoning their cars in underpasses because it was too slippery and they could not go any farther. Oregon doesn't do a lot to keep their roads clear, believe salts and chemicals will damage the environment. Different world in Washington. Cross in Wash. and the roads are cleared. That year we pulled off at a Dennys in Oreg.for some hot soup and then asked the Manager if we could park overnight in their lot. So, the next day traffic had dispersed, we had breakfast at Dennys and had a slow but uneventful ride home.
We do this trip to see our granddaughter and family, so it is a very familiar route.
Probably more info then you need, but my experiences.
Bob

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Bruce

Re: WEST COAST TRAVEL WINTER TIME

« Reply #2 on: December 26, 2013, 05:38:47 pm »

Sparky,
We often travel the I-5 in California and Oregon and agree with what Bob has just posted. That is why we never drive I-5 north of Lake Shasta during the winter.

But, as Bob points out, you can make it if you are careful, flexible, and fortunate.
Bruce and Sharon

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Sparky

334
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: 12/12
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2008
Slide: No
Location: Houston, Texas

Re: WEST COAST TRAVEL WINTER TIME

« Reply #3 on: December 26, 2013, 08:43:20 pm »

Thanks good info,,,,, we actually purchased our PC out of Seattle, driver drove it down to Vegas, took the I-5 route to LA then over to Vegas where we met him and picked it up.. we drive to Vegas during winter ( auto) a few times,,, 95% times easy drive, down to Phoenix pick up I-10 just watch for winter storms,,,

Back to I-5 we would actually be going to Portland,,, sounds like two mountain passes to go through,,, would plan the trip with some snow days in it.... I would like to take the RV so would we could take advantage and camp some along the way.... would seem to me by planning a little and watching the weather could make the trip with no problem,,,,,, we have no problem driving 700+ miles a day, so should be easy to drive, and then hunker down a few days if needed....

One nice thing about todays modern traveling,,,, it is so easy to get good weather reports and avoid problems,,

I assume when you guys make the drive you camp along the way

tks again
sparky

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gl1500

205
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: May. 2014
Model: 2551
ModelYear: 2551/2014
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Hickory
ExtColor: Cafe'
Location: Idaho

Re: WEST COAST TRAVEL WINTER TIME

« Reply #4 on: December 28, 2013, 01:37:19 am »

Sparky,
The four places we usually camp out from N. Idaho to San Diego are as follows:
1. Santa Nella RV Park/13023 Calif. Hgwy 33/ Just off I-5. 2. Kit Fox RV Park, I-5 Sperry off ramp, East to left on Rogers Road. 3 Canyonville, Oregon, Seven Feathers Casino Resort, Dry Camping below the Casino (no charge)/Opposite side of I-5 from Casino, Casino has a real nice full service campground. 4. Corning, Calif., Heritage RV Park, 975 Hgwy 99W(East side of I-5). These are usually our stops and not listed in any particular way. We may use one or two on a trip, depending how we feel about stopping. After you get North of Sacramento, CA., there are many more campgrounds in Calif., Oregon and Washington, these are just the ones we use. Hope this helps.
Bob

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Sparky

334
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: 12/12
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2008
Slide: No
Location: Houston, Texas

Re: WEST COAST TRAVEL WINTER TIME

« Reply #5 on: December 28, 2013, 09:44:52 am »

Thanks guys appreciate it... I just copied the comments put them in word document and viola" ready to go,,, I plan trips, so it easy to set up files on places I want to go to,,,, I'm doing a Civil War trip next fall and have all kinds of stuff ready for it, going back to Alaska in 15 and have a few things in the works for that,,,, I'm giving a presentation at our community college in Feb on our last trip to Alaska, a lot of work but enjoying getting it ready,, so that will be fun
one great thing about the internet,,, it is so easy to talk to people and get good info to help out,,, that's one reason I try to do things projects, blogs etc to help others,,, so many people have helped me and it makes it so much easier to travel, learn and so forth,,, again thanks
sparky
PS any one else can jump in if they have suggestions. haha

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nmclum

2
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: August 2013
ModelYear: 2009
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Beige
ExtColor: Cream/brown
Location: Mountain View, CA

Re: WEST COAST TRAVEL WINTER TIME

« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2013, 10:12:15 pm »

We've stayed twice at McCloud Dance Country RV park which is excellent. Not sure what it's like in the winter but doubt we have snow right now.

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Pax

Re: WEST COAST TRAVEL WINTER TIME

« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2013, 11:13:54 pm »

McCloud Dance Country does look nice, but they close in the winter. Open Apr 1st thru Oct 31st.

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Pax

Re: WEST COAST TRAVEL WINTER TIME

« Reply #8 on: December 29, 2013, 11:24:44 pm »

Sparky: Have you considered trading in for the 4 wheel drive PC?

-Mike

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Bruce

Re: WEST COAST TRAVEL WINTER TIME

« Reply #9 on: December 29, 2013, 11:58:50 pm »

Sparky,

Here are a few of the RV Parks along I-5 that we like:

Flag City RV near Lodi, CA (http://www.flagcityrvresort.com)

Premier RV in Redding, CA (http://www.premierrvresorts.com)

Holiday RV between Ashland and Medford, OR (http://www.holidayrvpark.net)

Premier RV in Eugene, OR (http://www.premierrvresorts.com)

Bruce and Sharon

« Last Edit: December 30, 2013, 12:00:56 am by Bruce and Sharon »

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Sparky

334
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: 12/12
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2008
Slide: No
Location: Houston, Texas

Re: WEST COAST TRAVEL WINTER TIME

« Reply #10 on: December 30, 2013, 11:05:59 am »

Pax
4 wheel drive PC...... not needed here in Texas and again I mainly do spring and fall trips, when we were in Alaska, met a guy driving a 4wheeler PC,,, he lived in Washington state and did a lot of travel in Canada, Alaska etc,,, if I lived up there could see the expense,,, and also with the shorter seasons and mountains...

Watching the storms up north this week-end,,, I'm thinking what are those people doing out there???? I'm retired,, so I just don't travel bad weather unless it's and emergency,, I don't want to turn into an emergency haha

where is McCloud country RV park?

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Pax

Re: WEST COAST TRAVEL WINTER TIME

« Reply #11 on: December 30, 2013, 10:45:28 pm »

It's in McCloud, just off I-5 on 89 and just south of Mt Shasta.

I wouldn't rule out the Red Bluff area in December. We are staying at Durango RV resort for a few days this week. It's fairly upscale and runs $40-$80 night, but have nice amenities, pet friendly, and a number of sites right on the Sacramento River. (It also participates in the RV Golf Club, so either two nights free or 50% off depending on site). The weather forecasts sunny with highs in the low 70's and low around 40.

- Mike

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