How to tent all the way up the Pacific coast?
February 22, 2019 12:55 PM Subscribe
I will be road-tripping from San Diego to see my parents out on the Olympic Peninsula in the second half of May. It's been 20 years since I last went camping, and that was SCA events; I've not been in a single-family camping situation since I was a kid.
So I have been looking up tips and advice online but still have a few questions. I have looked at earlier Asks, especially this one, but still want more specific info. Also my anxiety says I need to know ahead of time exactly what the process of arriving at a campsite and dealing with check in is like.
I made this trip last year going straight up the 5 and stayed in cheap motels (3 nights going up, 2 nights coming back). I loved the drive, especially the time alone in the car, but it did get a bit boring passing so many fields and trucks.
This year I'd like to go up along the coast, take more time, and bring a tent. The goal is to spend more of my vacation days outside by myself, and less sitting in my parent's house waiting for mom to wake up from her naps while listening to dad and bro fighting. I have three weeks off, and no specific time to be anywhere, so I can take my time each way.
Staying in motels I was able to make a decision each day of when to stop driving, then find a place to stay. I want that rather than a set itinerary. I can’t really hike and am not interested in most other physical activities common to camping - just not worth the risk of injury. Mostly I want to sleep outside, and spend time sitting where I don’t have to look at human-built things. Maybe have a fire for s'mores.
I love sleeping outside, in the summer I sometimes sleep out on a hammock in a stand on the back patio. Since my hammock stand really isn't portable and I have no confidence in my ability to attach one to trees, I am planning to get a cot. I sold my old SCA tent (a 'French double-bell wedge' which can still be bought from the same company!) 20 years ago, so I'm planning to get a small tent that just fits the cot.
Mobility issues: I have a club foot resulting in one weaker leg and a messed up knee/hip because of it. This gives me major issues with walking long distances, and balance issues on stairs/slopes, and it takes me a while and something to hang on to in order to get up off the ground. But I know my limitations and am confident I can set up a simple tent on flat ground next to my car.
So my specific questions here are:
I made this trip last year going straight up the 5 and stayed in cheap motels (3 nights going up, 2 nights coming back). I loved the drive, especially the time alone in the car, but it did get a bit boring passing so many fields and trucks.
This year I'd like to go up along the coast, take more time, and bring a tent. The goal is to spend more of my vacation days outside by myself, and less sitting in my parent's house waiting for mom to wake up from her naps while listening to dad and bro fighting. I have three weeks off, and no specific time to be anywhere, so I can take my time each way.
Staying in motels I was able to make a decision each day of when to stop driving, then find a place to stay. I want that rather than a set itinerary. I can’t really hike and am not interested in most other physical activities common to camping - just not worth the risk of injury. Mostly I want to sleep outside, and spend time sitting where I don’t have to look at human-built things. Maybe have a fire for s'mores.
I love sleeping outside, in the summer I sometimes sleep out on a hammock in a stand on the back patio. Since my hammock stand really isn't portable and I have no confidence in my ability to attach one to trees, I am planning to get a cot. I sold my old SCA tent (a 'French double-bell wedge' which can still be bought from the same company!) 20 years ago, so I'm planning to get a small tent that just fits the cot.
Mobility issues: I have a club foot resulting in one weaker leg and a messed up knee/hip because of it. This gives me major issues with walking long distances, and balance issues on stairs/slopes, and it takes me a while and something to hang on to in order to get up off the ground. But I know my limitations and am confident I can set up a simple tent on flat ground next to my car.
So my specific questions here are:
- Is just heading out and showing up at a campsite for the night feasible? Or is all the advice about reserving a campsite months ahead of time the only way to go?
- Can anyone describe the process of getting to the campground and checking in? How is it different from a hotel check-in? Is it different when you don't have a reservation? I get all anxious if I can't walk myself though this kind of transaction ahead of time, and I'd like to feel more prepared.
- I'm looking at some tents where the top has mesh panels and a separate rain fly – I would love to see the stars. Do those really work? How hard is it to add the rain fly after the tent is already set up, if it starts to rain?
- One friend I mentioned this to was horrified that I would consider doing it alone, but she also couldn't believe I went last year and stayed at truck stop motels on the road. Is there any reason to panic about me doing this alone, as a white lady in her 40's (who looks old enough to be given unsolicited senior discounts)?
LED fairy lights. Missed the edit window.
posted by Grandysaur at 1:17 PM on February 22, 2019
posted by Grandysaur at 1:17 PM on February 22, 2019
In addition to the USFS camping, the Oregon coast is lined with state parks with loads of camping.
posted by humboldt32 at 1:17 PM on February 22, 2019
posted by humboldt32 at 1:17 PM on February 22, 2019
Best answer: If you have an iPhone, I highly recommend the Allstays Camp and RV app. You can browse campgrounds along your route, see reviews and (sometimes) make reservations on the web. TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google, and RVParkReviews.com often have good info hidden in reviews.
The check-in process varies between campgrounds. State Parks and National Parks usually have the most streamlined process and best security. The ranger stops you at the gate, you say you've got a reservation, you park, and you go inside to check in. You give them your name/address/license tag, pay some $$. They give you something to stick in your windshield with your site # and give you a map with your site circled. You go find it and park, then set up camp.
Note: Checking in to a campground after dark (or sometimes close to dark) is usually more complicated. Sometimes you have to call someone, sometimes there's a board with empty sites listed and you pick one of those, sometimes you just find a vacant site, sometimes you find the campground "host" and bug them. Sometimes you have to put cash in an envelope and write down your site #. But it's dark so everything's a little harder. Check with each campground for their after-hours policies, and try to make it there early.
There are plenty of first-come-first-served campgrounds (e.g. NPS) but most things near the ocean, a populated area, or in a National Park is going to be slammed, especially on weekends. Making reservations is probably the way to go, since you can plan each travel leg to arrive before dark.
Also: Make sure to ask for/choose a site near restrooms. Online reservation portals usually have a map.
Have fun! I recommend Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Lots of good stuff in Oregon too.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 1:46 PM on February 22, 2019 [2 favorites]
The check-in process varies between campgrounds. State Parks and National Parks usually have the most streamlined process and best security. The ranger stops you at the gate, you say you've got a reservation, you park, and you go inside to check in. You give them your name/address/license tag, pay some $$. They give you something to stick in your windshield with your site # and give you a map with your site circled. You go find it and park, then set up camp.
Note: Checking in to a campground after dark (or sometimes close to dark) is usually more complicated. Sometimes you have to call someone, sometimes there's a board with empty sites listed and you pick one of those, sometimes you just find a vacant site, sometimes you find the campground "host" and bug them. Sometimes you have to put cash in an envelope and write down your site #. But it's dark so everything's a little harder. Check with each campground for their after-hours policies, and try to make it there early.
There are plenty of first-come-first-served campgrounds (e.g. NPS) but most things near the ocean, a populated area, or in a National Park is going to be slammed, especially on weekends. Making reservations is probably the way to go, since you can plan each travel leg to arrive before dark.
Also: Make sure to ask for/choose a site near restrooms. Online reservation portals usually have a map.
Have fun! I recommend Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Lots of good stuff in Oregon too.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 1:46 PM on February 22, 2019 [2 favorites]
For the flies, we usually just check the weather forecasts, and depending on chance of rain, take the fly on or off.
Practice getting on and off your cot before heading out. Some cots are super low, and may present issues. I find it easier to get off the ground, than to get off some cots. (mostly where my butt was below my knees).
It might be worth plotting your trip a bit, and book some great campsites along the way
Leave home- 2 days to get to Campsite A that's booked for 2 nights, and then a 4 day span to Camp B that's booked for 2 nights. So you get some awesome camping time, and some fly by your pants type camping or moteling if weather/time prevents camping.
I'm envious, sounds like a great trip.
posted by Ftsqg at 1:46 PM on February 22, 2019
Practice getting on and off your cot before heading out. Some cots are super low, and may present issues. I find it easier to get off the ground, than to get off some cots. (mostly where my butt was below my knees).
It might be worth plotting your trip a bit, and book some great campsites along the way
Leave home- 2 days to get to Campsite A that's booked for 2 nights, and then a 4 day span to Camp B that's booked for 2 nights. So you get some awesome camping time, and some fly by your pants type camping or moteling if weather/time prevents camping.
I'm envious, sounds like a great trip.
posted by Ftsqg at 1:46 PM on February 22, 2019
Best answer: Second half of May is just before school is out, but now days it seems there is no real off-season on the Pacific coast. You would be best to plan your camp stops before the trip and make reservations. It will remove a lot of anxiety about "no vacancy" signs in the middle of nowhere.
Almost all of the state parks in California, Oregon and Washington have on line reservations systems. They even have photos of individual campsites, ratings of privacy, size, levelness, etc.
If you have mobile internet access, you may have luck picking up campsites on the way. But note that in most cases you can do reservations no later than two days before arrival. If you wait until the day before, you are are relying on luck to find an open site on drive up. It really relieves the stress if you know a couple days ahead of time that you have a campsite for sure.
I would have no qualms of doing this alone if you are staying in developed state parks. Most will have flush toilets with hot showers. Take your own towel and shower shoes. Some showers are free and others require 3-minute tokens for 25 cents each.
You won't find strict privacy in the state park campgrounds. You will have neighbors on all sides. But you arrive, set up your camp and then are free to walk or drive around to all of the more secluded or scenic locations nearby.
Checking in is trivial, especially if you have a reservation. You drive up to the drive up window at the entrance, tell them your name and they hand you a parking pass for your dashboard or mirror. That's it. You don't need an ID but they will ask for your car's license plate number, so good to have that handy. If you ask, they will draw a line on a campground map showing exactly how to drive to your camp spot, which will have a numbered marker by the side of the driveway. They are park rangers. They are exceedingly friendly.
If you don't have a reservation, and you don't see the dreaded "no vacancy" sign, then you will have to select a campsite while at the window and fill out your name and address. No ID needed. They will be very helpful with your preferences for selecting a site -- privacy vs lots of people, near or far from the restrooms, near or far from the kids playground, etc.
When selecting a campsite you will typically trade off closeness to restrooms vs having lots of people walking by your camp.
Most state parks will have one or more camp hosts. These are retired volunteers that live in their RV in the campground and keep an eye on things and sometimes do routine maintenance. They usually have a sign that says "host on duty". You can stop and say hi to them if you want to make yourself known for your own security, but it isn't necessary.
Sounds like an excellent trip. You are going to have a great time.
posted by JackFlash at 1:47 PM on February 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
Almost all of the state parks in California, Oregon and Washington have on line reservations systems. They even have photos of individual campsites, ratings of privacy, size, levelness, etc.
If you have mobile internet access, you may have luck picking up campsites on the way. But note that in most cases you can do reservations no later than two days before arrival. If you wait until the day before, you are are relying on luck to find an open site on drive up. It really relieves the stress if you know a couple days ahead of time that you have a campsite for sure.
I would have no qualms of doing this alone if you are staying in developed state parks. Most will have flush toilets with hot showers. Take your own towel and shower shoes. Some showers are free and others require 3-minute tokens for 25 cents each.
You won't find strict privacy in the state park campgrounds. You will have neighbors on all sides. But you arrive, set up your camp and then are free to walk or drive around to all of the more secluded or scenic locations nearby.
Checking in is trivial, especially if you have a reservation. You drive up to the drive up window at the entrance, tell them your name and they hand you a parking pass for your dashboard or mirror. That's it. You don't need an ID but they will ask for your car's license plate number, so good to have that handy. If you ask, they will draw a line on a campground map showing exactly how to drive to your camp spot, which will have a numbered marker by the side of the driveway. They are park rangers. They are exceedingly friendly.
If you don't have a reservation, and you don't see the dreaded "no vacancy" sign, then you will have to select a campsite while at the window and fill out your name and address. No ID needed. They will be very helpful with your preferences for selecting a site -- privacy vs lots of people, near or far from the restrooms, near or far from the kids playground, etc.
When selecting a campsite you will typically trade off closeness to restrooms vs having lots of people walking by your camp.
Most state parks will have one or more camp hosts. These are retired volunteers that live in their RV in the campground and keep an eye on things and sometimes do routine maintenance. They usually have a sign that says "host on duty". You can stop and say hi to them if you want to make yourself known for your own security, but it isn't necessary.
Sounds like an excellent trip. You are going to have a great time.
posted by JackFlash at 1:47 PM on February 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
Nth’ing the recommendation to show up early, if you don’t have reservations.
In addition to the cot, I would also buy a thick camping pad. It makes a tremendous difference in how comfortable you are- also makes it warmer. These are ridiculously cheap at Costco.
Have a blast.
posted by carterk at 1:58 PM on February 22, 2019
In addition to the cot, I would also buy a thick camping pad. It makes a tremendous difference in how comfortable you are- also makes it warmer. These are ridiculously cheap at Costco.
Have a blast.
posted by carterk at 1:58 PM on February 22, 2019
Best answer: I'd make some reservations sooner rather than later at campgrounds just South of, and just North of, San Francisco. They are popular and can get reserved quickly.
May I recommend campgrounds at Butano State Park in Pescadero, and Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Lagunitas. It would be a short driving day between these two, but it would be a really fun day: watching surfers in Pacifica, checking out Ocean Beach and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, and then the crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, perhaps visiting the Marin Headlands before getting on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and heading into the redwoods again.
I've always found state park campgrounds here in CA to be pretty friendly, chill places and there is no reason why you couldn't do this alone.
posted by gyusan at 4:12 PM on February 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
May I recommend campgrounds at Butano State Park in Pescadero, and Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Lagunitas. It would be a short driving day between these two, but it would be a really fun day: watching surfers in Pacifica, checking out Ocean Beach and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, and then the crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, perhaps visiting the Marin Headlands before getting on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and heading into the redwoods again.
I've always found state park campgrounds here in CA to be pretty friendly, chill places and there is no reason why you couldn't do this alone.
posted by gyusan at 4:12 PM on February 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
Best answer: It's pretty cold and wet at night on the Oregon and Washington coasts. You need to cover up at night in May. Having a separate rain fly really is advisable and practical as it prevents tent leaks during rain events, so by all means go ahead and buy a tent with a separate fly. I wouldn't plan on ever using it without the fly though for your stated itinerary. Have fun!
posted by crazycanuck at 4:36 PM on February 22, 2019
posted by crazycanuck at 4:36 PM on February 22, 2019
Best answer: Having camped with my mom (whose mobility is sometimes not the best) I have learned that a solid milk crate or two is invaluable in the tent. They work to carry stuff in, to use as a bedside table, and are useful to push up on to help you get up, if you do end up on the floor. Get the most solid cot you can afford, and add a foam/thermarest for warmth. A cot means you have cool air all around you and increases heat loss. The sturdiness of the cot reduces the chances of flipping it over.
Do choose a tent that is high enough that you can stand up in it. It doesn't need to be big floorspace wise, but if your mobility isn't great, doing things like getting dressed in a tent are much harder if you are hunched over.
I have done parts of this itinerary as a 25 year old woman, and felt very safe. My biggest worry was critters. I did have a BIG flashlight (5 D cell maglite) which i kept beside me, but mostly because it was the best flashlight I owned at the time. When I have camped in....way more sketchy places....I keep an air horn within reach, because it will attract attention like nobodies business, and people who don't mean well generally don't like attention.
If you use a walking stick/cane, a headlamp is handy for night time stuff because it frees up a hand for balance but lets you see what you are doing/going. A cheap one (20$) is fine.
It seems like in recent years there are a lot more 'accessible' trails/outlooks/etc in State/National parks, so it may be worth googling for these, as at least locally to me, some are very short, boardwalked/ramped, routes to scenic spots. They are not by any reach 'hiking' but can still lead to very satisfying spots to sit and think.
This trip sounds like a great adventure and I wish you all the best (and kind of wish I could come too! Thats a gorgeous corner of the world!).
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 6:11 PM on February 22, 2019
Do choose a tent that is high enough that you can stand up in it. It doesn't need to be big floorspace wise, but if your mobility isn't great, doing things like getting dressed in a tent are much harder if you are hunched over.
I have done parts of this itinerary as a 25 year old woman, and felt very safe. My biggest worry was critters. I did have a BIG flashlight (5 D cell maglite) which i kept beside me, but mostly because it was the best flashlight I owned at the time. When I have camped in....way more sketchy places....I keep an air horn within reach, because it will attract attention like nobodies business, and people who don't mean well generally don't like attention.
If you use a walking stick/cane, a headlamp is handy for night time stuff because it frees up a hand for balance but lets you see what you are doing/going. A cheap one (20$) is fine.
It seems like in recent years there are a lot more 'accessible' trails/outlooks/etc in State/National parks, so it may be worth googling for these, as at least locally to me, some are very short, boardwalked/ramped, routes to scenic spots. They are not by any reach 'hiking' but can still lead to very satisfying spots to sit and think.
This trip sounds like a great adventure and I wish you all the best (and kind of wish I could come too! Thats a gorgeous corner of the world!).
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 6:11 PM on February 22, 2019
Best answer: Clarifying about reservations. I don't think you need to plan your itinerary months ahead of time for a May trip. I like to be flexible as well. You can still be flexible, but you should make camping reservations two or three days ahead as you go along. Just have a list of likely campgrounds you might be interested in staying along with a couple of alternates. Then make an online reservation a couple days in advance. That way you won't find yourself locked out at the end of a long day.
Since you have a lot of time, plan on short hops that allow you lots of time to explore and relax. Travel along the coast highway is much, much slower than you think, especially if you stop for scenic turnoffs.
posted by JackFlash at 8:06 PM on February 22, 2019
Since you have a lot of time, plan on short hops that allow you lots of time to explore and relax. Travel along the coast highway is much, much slower than you think, especially if you stop for scenic turnoffs.
posted by JackFlash at 8:06 PM on February 22, 2019
Best answer: I did this exact trip by myself last January/February and it was awesome! Changed my life - I had basically never been out west before and I live on the Oregon coast now; that's how much I liked it. Nobody hassled me even slightly - I am a single 50 something woman. I hardly made any reservations at all: I used an app to find campsites (I mostly used RVParky; while I had a camper, it does also list tent sites.) Anyway, I just decided how far I wanted to drive that day, usually basing that on what state parks or other campgrounds were out there, picked out one or two places that looked likely and drove to them. The secret is that almost every park has first come first served campsites held in reserve. You can only book them for one night, but they exist. If you decide you want to stay two nights, though, you have to go back up to the ranger station the next day and hope you can get it again. Now, for the popular parks you do need to get there as soon as they start letting people in, which is usually 2 pm in CA, because they sometimes go fast. Even in January in Santa Cruz, for example, there was a line to get a campsite. I got one, though, no problem and then it turned out to not be all that crowded after all. In May it's going to be harder though I'm sure. Actually being in a tent instead of an RV serves you well here, since the RV sites fill up first. I suspect you'd be okay making reservations for just the weekends and then winging it on the weekdays. Some parks will let you make same day reservations, too, you can call the ranger station in the morning and ask. The further north you get, the easier it is to get a campsite without a reservation. In a pinch you can go to a KOA. They're plastic and depressing and expensive but they have nice showers and every single one has laundry facilities. I used to go to them to sit out the rain sometimes.
This is how the process at state parks works. If you arrive before the office closes (usually around 5) the first thing you do is find the visitor center/ranger station. Sometimes - usually, actually - this is super easy: it's blocking the entrance to the campground and there's a helpful person in a booth, you don't even have to get out of your car. And sometimes it's more difficult, you may have to drive around a bit and then go in a building. They'll ask you what you're camping in, like if it's a tent or a van or what size RV and then they'll tell you what campsites are available and how much it costs. If it's not busy they'll often tell you to just go drive around and pick out your own site, which is of course the best option. Otherwise they'll assign you a site. You give them money, they give you a thing to hang on your rear view mirror, a map and maybe a list of campground rules and that's it, you're in and you can go set up your tent. If you get there after hours there will be information on a bulletin board outside the booth explaining after hours check ins. Usually they'll have a list saying which campsites are booked and that you can take any of the ones that aren't on that list. There will be an envelope to fill out with your info, put a check or money in it - I don't like writing out my credit card on envelopes but it's an option - and a drop box for it.
Almost every single site will have a picnic table and a fire ring. You generally must buy your firewood from the ranger; moving firewood from place to place spreads bugs and they are serious about it. They will let you know if there's a burn ban. Make sure you always have quarters so you aren't surprised by the sudden coin operated shower - I'm looking at you, Hearst San Simeon State Park (otherwise really nice although walking to the beach is sort of confusing and you're better off driving.) There are dumpsters in a central location for your trash and some places even have recycling stations.
It really is an amazing experience but do keep in mind that the coast highway is slooooow and adjust your mileage expectations accordingly. It can easily take five or six - or more! - hours to go 200 miles. Figure you're going to average about 40 mph and you'll mostly be good. Feel free to memail me if you want recommendations for specific parks! You are going to have an incredible time.
posted by mygothlaundry at 11:50 PM on February 23, 2019
This is how the process at state parks works. If you arrive before the office closes (usually around 5) the first thing you do is find the visitor center/ranger station. Sometimes - usually, actually - this is super easy: it's blocking the entrance to the campground and there's a helpful person in a booth, you don't even have to get out of your car. And sometimes it's more difficult, you may have to drive around a bit and then go in a building. They'll ask you what you're camping in, like if it's a tent or a van or what size RV and then they'll tell you what campsites are available and how much it costs. If it's not busy they'll often tell you to just go drive around and pick out your own site, which is of course the best option. Otherwise they'll assign you a site. You give them money, they give you a thing to hang on your rear view mirror, a map and maybe a list of campground rules and that's it, you're in and you can go set up your tent. If you get there after hours there will be information on a bulletin board outside the booth explaining after hours check ins. Usually they'll have a list saying which campsites are booked and that you can take any of the ones that aren't on that list. There will be an envelope to fill out with your info, put a check or money in it - I don't like writing out my credit card on envelopes but it's an option - and a drop box for it.
Almost every single site will have a picnic table and a fire ring. You generally must buy your firewood from the ranger; moving firewood from place to place spreads bugs and they are serious about it. They will let you know if there's a burn ban. Make sure you always have quarters so you aren't surprised by the sudden coin operated shower - I'm looking at you, Hearst San Simeon State Park (otherwise really nice although walking to the beach is sort of confusing and you're better off driving.) There are dumpsters in a central location for your trash and some places even have recycling stations.
It really is an amazing experience but do keep in mind that the coast highway is slooooow and adjust your mileage expectations accordingly. It can easily take five or six - or more! - hours to go 200 miles. Figure you're going to average about 40 mph and you'll mostly be good. Feel free to memail me if you want recommendations for specific parks! You are going to have an incredible time.
posted by mygothlaundry at 11:50 PM on February 23, 2019
Best answer: Oh and while it's been years since I did any tent camping, I used to do quite a bit of it. You absolutely want a tent with a separate rain fly, and you want the rain fly to come all the way down the sides of the tent, not just be a little foofy thing on top that won't work. Getting a good tent is really key; you need a good groundsheet as well and, you probably know this but just in case, make sure the ground sheet isn't sticking out anywhere; the tent should cover it completely. With that and the rain fly on, you'll be dry. Putting a rain fly on in the middle of the night in a rainstorm is actually not one of life's great fun experiences so if you think it might rain, I'd do it before you go to bed.
posted by mygothlaundry at 12:00 AM on February 24, 2019
posted by mygothlaundry at 12:00 AM on February 24, 2019
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Also, if you are planning on staying at forest service camp grounds, start here. From here, you can find campgrounds, and often book them online. Its not the best-designed, most user friendly website, but you can find your way around with only some annoyance. I'm not familiar with CA so I can't be of more help, sorry.
Also, call the ranger offices and ask!
Often sites are first-come, first serve, so it's really nice to get to the campground early and pick out the site with the best view of the lake or the most privacy or that isn't right next to the restrooms.
Also, those battery powered strips of LWS fairy lights are awesome to camp with.
posted by Grandysaur at 1:09 PM on February 22, 2019 [1 favorite]