This is a hidden little gem.  The park is about a mile off of Highway 5  near Manteca in a very small town called Lathrop.  We first discovered it when we were traveling from Sacramento to San Jose and needed to find a dump station.   It was listed on our Streets & Trips program so we gave it a try.  Very nice, lots of shady spots, spacious sites – even two pull through sites.  There are only 26 sites but there’s always been availability when we pass through.  This is our third visit and we’ll be back again.   The rate is $25 and it has full hookups.  Such a deal.  You can walk all around and there are stairs to get to the river.  You can’t go in the river (San Joaquin) but there’s a boat launch nearby and you can walk along the  berm and see the water and the wildlife.  It’s great!

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We heard about this one from GMC friends and wanted to cool off after a very, very hot time traveling from Tucson to Lake Havasu, and then Lake Havasu to Bakersfield and beyond.  Usually we stop at the Orange Grove RV park in Bakersfield and we really like it there but I’m so glad we tried this place.  It is out in the country, next to a little airport where you can take a glider ride and eat a nice breakfast or lunch.  Tehachapi has lots to offer and is a nice place to visit.  We took a ride to see the trains at Tehachapi Loop and it was well worth the 1/2 hour drive to get there.  The downtown is quaint and there are lots of nice places to shop and eat.

The park is small but the spaces are pretty big.  The rate was only $27 with a Good Sam (or AARP) discount.  It was so lovely and quiet.  And COOL!!!!  We’ll be back since we have now decided that this is our favorite route to take when we visit our family in California.

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Wow,  huge spacious spaces!  Gorgeous views.  Super nice.  You get a large cement pad and a covered patio table.  Lots of shady trees and lots of room for the car.  All for only $12 a night for full hookups (regularly $24 but they honor the Golden age pass so it’s half price).   Really nice.

The only problem we had was that there were ants everywhere.  Tried to sit outside to have dessert but ants were just everywhere.  And in the morning,t here was a trail of them up the side of the RV.  We haven’t seen any inside but I definitely didn’t like that. We had the same problem at the RV resort in Palm Springs.  Guess we should carry some ant powder with us.

It was blazing hot but the electrical system allowed us to run both a/c units and we eventually got cool!  I would definitely stay here again.

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This is a shady park in downtown Austin on Barton Springs road near Zilker park.  The location is fabulous – you can catch the #30 bus directly in front of the park.  Get a $2 24 hour pass and you can ride anywhere.  We went downtown twice and it was so easy.  You can also walk about a block and get on the Lady Bird trail that is fairly shady until you cross the river on the pedestrian bridge.  Just a great, great location.  They only have 10 sites available to rent out – all the others are permanent residents.  We met a lady who has lived there for 24 years!

There were nests of baby cranes – really cool.  The people that live there don’t like them because they are very messy but it was fun to see the big huge baby birds up in their nest.

The rate of $35 a night is pretty pricey considering the small amount of space you get but it is such a great location that we were fine with it.  They don’t accept credit cards so you have to pay with cash or check.   There are no amenities but it does have a nice, clean laundry room so we were glad to get caught up on our laundry.  The only bad thing is that all the trees drop sap all over your RV, and car.  Every surface was covered with a sticky mist.  Not good.  But it does wash off fairly easily.  I’m glad we stayed there but we probably won’t do it again.  Last time we went to Austin we stayed at a great park about 15 minutes east of the city and that worked out just fine.  Not as convenient but no sap!

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Another winner.  We’ve had three great parks in a row.  This park is nice and quiet, lots are spacious, and it’s close to downtown.  We asked for a shady spot and got a nice spot.  Because it’s midweek in the summer, we had the whole row to ourselves.  Everyone is very friendly here.  We took a walk around the camp last evening and checked out the facilities.  Very nice bathrooms and showers, individual units all very clean.   They have an ice machine which is great because I don’t have room for the large bags of ice they sell in stores these days.  It was $35 a night which is about average.  We will definitely stay here again if we’re in the area.

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Not to disparage commercial RV parks but it’s hard to beat a good State Park.  And Utah Lake State Park is a REALLY good State Park.  We arrived an hour and a half after our desired time and were pretty darn tired – even though the scenery on 191 from Bluff was exceptional and we thoroughly enjoyed the day.  We had no idea what to expect when we finally got off Highway 15 (which is under construction) and drove the few miles to the lake (also under construction).  What a pleasant surprise.  To come out of the concrete jungle into paradise was a real treat.  Just the most beautiful setting ever.  The water, marina, boats, trees, cool breeze, moonrise and sunset all at once was almost too much for the senses!

We didn’t have reservations but the park was pretty empty.  We had our choice of large, spacious campsites, complete with cabana and picnic table, and water and electric all for only $20 a night.  Best of all, the way the sights are situated, you get a view of alfalfa fields and mountains instead of another RV.   Wish we could stay longer.  We took a walk from our first rate space (B9 in Loop B) over to the marina.  Everything is so clean and green.  Lots of friendly folks were fishing and boating and riding bikes and just enjoying the fabulous weather.  We met two sweet ‘kids’ – local college students – who made us feel very welcome.  It’s a place we would love to visit again and I highly recommend this park.

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Summer is here and we are traveling from Tucson to Montana and western Canada.  We spent the first few nights of our trip with family along the way so this was our first stop at an RV park.  We looked for something along 191 that was convenient enough that we could park the RV and drive our tow car to Monument Valley.  Cadillac Ranch RV Park suited us perfectly.

It is located in Bluff, Utah just a few miles east of the junction of 191 and 163 (the main road leading into Monument Valley).  The sites are large and the park is small and comfortable.  The scenery is fabulous and there’s a great place to sit on benches that overlook a small pond (probably a little run off from the San Juan River that runs along the back of the park). We got lucky and were treated to gorgeous sunsets both nights.  We enjoyed walking around the property and seeing the bluffs all around.

There are even a couple of mascot birds – Elvis and Elvira are two cute Emus who live on the property.  I’m not sure which one is which but they are both cool!

The drive to Monument Valley is 47 miles of incredible scenery and you can easily drive there, take the 17 mile drive in the valley and get back in a day.  It’s also convenient to other great sights like Valley of the Gods, Four Corners and lots more within 1/2 hour to an hour or so.  It was the perfect stop for us and it was only $25 a night.  No laundry facilities, which would have been nice, and no pool, which we never use anyway.  Just spacious sites in a beautiful setting.  I highly recommend this park if you are passing through this part of the country.  For reservations and current rates, go to their site at Cadillac Ranch RV Park.

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Today we drove over to Avila Beach in Avila, CA – one of our favorite places.  The downtown area has all been updated and is great for strolling, shopping, having coffee, snacking, watching surfers, etc.  We also drove out to the pier and saw some interesting camping opportunities.  RVs can park along Avila Beach Drive and get a fabulous view of the ocean, the hills and the beautiful shoreline.  Prices range from $30 to $50 per night.  The full hookups are 50/30 amp and that’s in the Coastal Gateway area.  There are $45 sites, also with full hookups, at Babe Lane and they are up a small hill so the view is even better.  Then there’s the Nobi point which is dry camping along the road and that is $30/night.

All sites are self pay and there is a dump station you can use if you’re dry camping, but it’s $20 and you have to make an appointment.

We haven’t tried it but it is definitely on our list for a future stay.  For more info, go to this website for the full scoop.

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Bottom line:  really nice park!  We’d stay here again.

Today is Friday the 13th so we’re staying put in Pismo Beach for one more day.  The prospect of driving home via LA on a Friday – any Friday – is too terrifying.  We’d like to stay even longer but it’s time to get home now.

We’re paying $38 per night (+ tax = $46) through the week and $42 (= $51) for tonight here at Pismo Coast Village RV Resort.

Last year we stayed across the street at the Holiday RV Park – big mistake.  You’re crammed in like sardines over there and there’s no vegetation.  We happened to walk across the street to this place and knew instantly we’d made the wrong choice by selecting Holiday RV off the internet.  So this year we got it right.

That’s why I’m blogging about RV parks.  Now, hopefully you won’t make the same mistake.  Be sure to pick this park, Pismo Coast Village RV Resort, when you come to Pismo to stay.  It’s very scenic and there are lots of big cypress trees to offer shade.

It’s crowded like the Holiday RV park but the spaces are bigger and we are right on the ocean.  We are nice and close to the downtown area.  We walked to Old West Cinnamon Buns yesterday and it only took about 10 minutes (the pecan topping is heaven).  The main pier and central town are right there too.  Great location.

Pismo Creek runs alongside and around the back of the  park, so to get to the beach, you have to walk around the creek but it’s only about a 5 minute walk.  That may change at other times of the year but for now, that’s the scoop.

There’s a clubhouse, pool, arcade for kids and a small restaurant.  Haven’t tried any of those things but they look clean and nice.  It’s been cold during our stay so it would be better to come later in the year if you want to be warm.

Important to note that all the sites are back in only – no pull throughs. Not a problem for us but the huge coaches may have a problem.  Most spaces are nice and wide though.

This is a shareholders park so people own a share and there are 1800 shares.  They were sold out at the initial offering but there are resales available now.  You get 45 days of free stay each year and can store your RV if you want.  Doesn’t interest us so I don’t know the price of the share but what it means to me is that the place is well-kept and you can see pride of ownership.

Although we would definitely come back to this park, we would also like to try Pismo Beach State Park North Beach Campground (which is right next door), because the spaces are much larger.  It is actually more expensive now ($50/night) to stay in a state park than a nice RV resort.  Crazy.  We would also like to try the state park in Morro Bay – it’s $50 a night but it’s really beautiful.  And Avila Beach has a place where you can dry camp for $30/night – also very nice.

Happy Trails.

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