Pahrump to Cotati, California

Some pics showing our drive from Pahrump, Nevada to the wine country of Sonoma County, California.

You can see the landscape getting greener (and wetter) as we travel west to California.  

We were prepared for a lengthy wait at California Ag Inspection but it turns out that driving through in an RV is the same as traveling via car.  The friendly fella at the booth asked a few questions and quickly waved us through.

We really knew we hit California when we saw this:  an expensive camo-coloured Hummer, out of gas on the side of the road.  

Bought the car on monthly payments, but can't afford the gas;  what an accurate metaphor for California's financial situation.

These two hooligans thought the sign above said Nap instead of Napa.  

So they did.

Our final destination was Cotati, California - the land of grapes ... 

... and sheep.

Cotati is a little town in Sonoma County, about an hour northeast of San Francisco. The recent California rainstorms, and consequent mudslides, ended a few days after we got here and the weather has been gorgeous for the past week - sunny and 28C (82f)  most days.

We're parked at Wine Country RV Park in Sonoma.  The Passport America rate is $28 per night for full hook-ups (50 amp), very fast internet and major cable service. Negatives:  the sites are pretty tightly packed together and there are lots of permanent residents at this park with small kids.  Noisy, small kids, who use the whole RV park as a playground. 

This leg of our trip ends tomorrow morning when we pack up JohnnyDisco and start heading north again.

Sidenote:  Enroute to Sonoma, JohnnyDisco made overnight stops in Mojave, Kingsburg and Sacramento, but My Fella and I didn't find any RV parks that we'd recommend or return to. Compared to other states, California totally loses when it comes to RV travel.  The parks here are over-priced, with crappy amenities and many permanent residents living in old, run down trailers. Overall, gas and RV parks are more expensive in California than most other states and this will probably be our last year traveling through Cali.  It's just not a very RV friendly state. That probably makes me sound like an RV park snob, but this is my blog and that's my opinion.

Comments

[Rene]

Durango RV Resort in Red Bluff, CA is a 4+ star gem for an overnighter.
- Great pull through sites with great amenities.
- AAA or Good Sam discounts accepted.
- Allow washing of RV's on site.

[kelsi]

Hi Rene - I remember seeing your pics/review of Durango a few months back. It does look like a nice park, but after taxes it's close to $45/night, right? We're far to cheapy cheap to spend that for only one night... unless it includes a neck massage and a bottle of wine :)
How would you compare California RV parks to other states when it comes to dollar value? For us, Cali ranks very low.

P.S. Nice paint job!

[Rene]

I agree that Arizona is a much better RV deal all around. Interesting that I just viewed your response while Jeanette and I were reviewing our last month's RV travel receipts. Durango RV Resort, with the AAA (BCAA) discount - taxes in - was exactly $36.90. We are also Passport America members but found it difficult to locate long pull through sites for our rig in CA.

We especially appreciate Durango when heading southbound. Once over the passes, this is a great place to wash the rig before heading further south in the better weather.

We cannot vouch about a free bottle of wine but the food store directly across the street from the RV park entrance has 'cheapy' wines starting in the $3 to $4 range.

We are also budget conscious and the night prior to Durango, we boondocked just north of Lost Hills, CA, in a really nice truck stop.

[kelsi]

The Durango website says the price is $41 so I figured it was closer to $45 with taxes. $36 or $37 (including taxes) is the top end of what we ever want to spend on a park for the night, especially since we bought a PA lifetime membership for 50% off at PA parks.
If you don't mind me asking, how much is the BCAA discount? Is it worth getting a membership?

[Rene]

Thanks for the tips on Passport America RV parks in northern CA.

BCAA membership, in our view, is most beneficial. We have used their services a few times with our 5th wheel and truck - in BC and in Montana. One was a tire blow out on the RV, the other a blown out vacuum turbo tube on our diesel puller. We also have coverage for our motorcycle and we have used BCAA to tow our motorcycle for tire replacements in Eugene, Oregon and Edson, Alberta.

We carry the BCAA RV Plus card. With membership we also get discounted medical/travel insurance and house insurance too. We are covered for US travel for the entire 12 months of policy coverage. Aside from snow birding in the USA, we often motorcycle down there during the spring, summer and fall months.

BCAA offer other services too. It could be worth your while to look into their programs.

[Rene]

Oops, forgot to answer your first question! We got 10% off @ Durango RV Resort.

[kelsi]

Thanks for all the info, Rene.
My Fella and I have decided to start doing some boondocking, maybe every third day on the road. Sounds like you and your bride do a lot of it. Mainly Walmart parking lots and casinos? Any tips for us?