RV Park between Stockton & Bakersfield, CA

[mopar25]

Last year we drove from Redding to Lodi CA then Lodi to Bakersfield then to Palm Springs. I would like to make it to Palm Springs with only one stop over from Redding CA instead of two. I don't mind driving the CA 99 or I-5. Reviews I've read of some of the RV parks along this way are making me think twice. We have Passport America and we have had good luck with them in the past but two of their parks in this area don't get very good reviews and Coast to Coast doesn't appear to have much to choose from in this area as well. Does anyone have any suggestions for an overnighter between Redding and Palm Springs that you felt safe to be in or go for a walk after dinner?

Dennis & Marlene
2000 27.5 RKS
2001 Ram SB Cummins auto

[Chief409]

At Los Banos there are a couple of parks, we've stayed at the Santa Nella RV park. Further south in Bakersfield there is the Bakersfield RV Resort, off of 99 on Wible Rd, where Torbin stops at. It is also close to Camping World, and I've eaten lunch there and it's not bad. Either place is good, Santa Nella isn't fancy but good for an overnight. Plus, plenty of good eats close by.

Santa Nella: http://www.santanellarvpark.com/

Bakersfield RV Resort: http://www.bakersfieldrvresort.com/

Jeff

[mikenmarge]

If you are coming down Hwy 99, you will pass by Visalia where we live. You can park out front of our house for free. lol If we are not at home, there is a campground in Tulare called Sun and Fun Campground and there is a KOA in Goshen/Visalia, but it's not in a great area. Both are decent campgrounds and close to 99. If you are a member of the Elks, the Visalia Elks Club has a very nice RV area behind the lodge and a nice area right off hwy 198 (just a few miles east of 99). Our friends from the Bass Lake area stay there whenver they are coming to see us in their Motorhome. There is an RV park on 99 in Kingsburg. It's on the Kings River and a very nice park, but I think they are too pricey. Mike says there's an RV park in Pixley on 99, a decent park, but also not a great area. I think most of the parks right adjacent to 99 in the valley are in "not-so-good" areas, but we never hear of any crime at any of them. Safest would be in front of our house. We are about 6 or 7 hrs south of Redding, so all of these would be a similar distance.

[Torben]

The only other one that I can think of is , Flag City RV off the I-5 by Stockton.

[snoking]

Last year we drove from Redding to Lodi CA then Lodi to Bakersfield then to Palm Springs. I would like to make it to Palm Springs with only one stop over from Redding CA instead of two. I don't mind driving the CA 99 or I-5. Reviews I've read of some of the RV parks along this way are making me think twice. We have Passport America and we have had good luck with them in the past but two of their parks in this area don't get very good reviews and Coast to Coast doesn't appear to have much to choose from in this area as well. Does anyone have any suggestions for an overnighter between Redding and Palm Springs that you felt safe to be in or go for a walk after dinner?

Dennis & Marlene
2000 27.5 RKS
2001 Ram SB Cummins auto

That is the same issue that I have been facing driving to AZ and back, fall and spring. We run on 99 in Southern California as it is smoother. It is 300 miles from Gold Canyon, Az to Palm Springs and we visit friends that evening. Then head out on I10, I215, I15 and then 138 up through Palmdale. Hit I58 and the Tehachapi to Bakersfield. But the Orange Grove is to soon to stop on a trip of just getting there! So I have been looking for a place between Bakerfield and Lodi(Flag City). Last spring we just drove from Palm Springs to Rolling Hills Casino in Corning. Long day!!! We have bypassed Flag City recently because of cost and freeway noise. We like the Rolling Hills Casino easy in easy out, put your CC in the machine to pay your $25.

Visalia is about half way between Bakerfield and Corning with around 300 miles per day. Might be cheaper to join the Elks, as I hate KOA's.

I sent an email to Arena RV in Chowchilla, will see what they have to say.

Maybe we need a mini NW Rally to talk about these issues and shakedown for the migration South?

Chris

[mopar25]

Thanks for all your replies. To make"everyone" happy, I try and drive between 300- 400 miles a day but you don't get too far when you are leaving around 9am. Last year we had a comfortable day from Redding to Lodi (and that park at Flag City, Lodi, is nice but expensive for an overnight) then it was another day of driving for us to the Orange Grove RV park in Bakersfield that I think everyone has been to at one time or another as it is clean and neat. I wanted to leave Redding and bypass Lodi but not get as far as Bakersfield as that would be too long of a day from Redding. Some of the parks that some of you have mentioned aren't the best, from your comments and those of some of the reviews we've read, so this part of the CA is a challenge to say the least. You've all given me more to think about and thanks Mike/Marge for your offer. Our travel down this way is around the end of Jan, 2011 so we have time to do more research etc.

[snoking]

I just layed out a quick route for us, with two days in Palm Springs. We may leave earlier and go down the coast, and depending on weather the coast might be the route around the Siskiyous anyway.
Rice Hills looks really nice. http://www.ricehill-rvpark.com/ From Rice Hills it would not be far to back track to the coast through Drain to Reedsport. Also Grants Pass to Crescent City is still South of you at this point.

The Visalia area solves the whole in the route issue nicely. And has been challenging me for several years. Now for the right RV park in that area!

La Conner, Wa...........0
Rice Hills RV...........394.........394........ 26-Nov.....Sat.........Between Roseburg & Eugene Oregon
Rolling Hills RV........713.........319........ 27-Nov.....Sun.........Corning, Ca
Riverland RV.........1018.........305........ 28-Nov.... Mon........Kingsburg, Ca
Palm Springs.........1322.........304........ 29-Nov.....Tues/Wed.Two Nights
Canyon Vistas........1625.........303........ 1-Dec.......Thru.......Winter Home

[snoking]

If you are coming down Hwy 99, you will pass by Visalia where we live. You can park out front of our house for free. lol If we are not at home, there is a campground in Tulare called Sun and Fun Campground and there is a KOA in Goshen/Visalia, but it's not in a great area. Both are decent campgrounds and close to 99. If you are a member of the Elks, the Visalia Elks Club has a very nice RV area behind the lodge and a nice area right off hwy 198 (just a few miles east of 99). Our friends from the Bass Lake area stay there whenver they are coming to see us in their Motorhome. There is an RV park on 99 in Kingsburg. It's on the Kings River and a very nice park, but I think they are too pricey. Mike says there's an RV park in Pixley on 99, a decent park, but also not a great area. I think most of the parks right adjacent to 99 in the valley are in "not-so-good" areas, but we never hear of any crime at any of them. Safest would be in front of our house. We are about 6 or 7 hrs south of Redding, so all of these would be a similar distance.

Mike and Marge, what about Riverland RV Resort http://www.riverlandrvresort.com/gallery.html I think it is the one that you noted in Kingsburg. I sent them an email about off season rates and if they were open in late Nov and early April. Summer full hookup is $42 and Water and Electric is $39.00. Sounds better than the KOA in town!!!! Will report back what I learn.

BTW, I do my planning with MicroSoft Streets and Trips, then load that days destination in my TomTom. I create a spread sheet to save mileage and days in.

Chris

[mopar25]

I just called Riverland Resort in Kingsburg and they are open year round. Rates for Jan-Feb are $37 for full hook up and $34 for water/electric with another $2 off with Good Sam. Website looks impressive.

[snoking]

Cool, if we do the quick trip I will post about Rice Hills and Riverland the end of Nov. Just got to figure out were to stay in Palm Springs area. We have stayed at a couple pretty bad ones there and one so so. Chris

[mikenmarge]

We are 15 min. from Riverland. It's an old park but nice. Right on the Kings River. I mentioned it in my previous post. They had upped their price to about $60 a night but then they were not very busy. So glad to hear they lowered the price. Lots of trees too. It's right on 99. Can't miss it. If anyone from the club stays there, give us a call. We'd love to meet and visit.

[Chief409]

Last year we drove from Redding to Lodi CA then Lodi to Bakersfield then to Palm Springs. I would like to make it to Palm Springs with only one stop over from Redding CA instead of two. I don't mind driving the CA 99 or I-5. Reviews I've read of some of the RV parks along this way are making me think twice. We have Passport America and we have had good luck with them in the past but two of their parks in this area don't get very good reviews and Coast to Coast doesn't appear to have much to choose from in this area as well. Does anyone have any suggestions for an overnighter between Redding and Palm Springs that you felt safe to be in or go for a walk after dinner?

Dennis & Marlene
2000 27.5 RKS
2001 Ram SB Cummins auto

That is the same issue that I have been facing driving to AZ and back, fall and spring. We run on 99 in Southern California as it is smoother. It is 300 miles from Gold Canyon, Az to Palm Springs and we visit friends that evening. Then head out on I10, I215, I15 and then 138 up through Palmdale. Hit I58 and the Tehachapi to Bakersfield. But the Orange Grove is to soon to stop on a trip of just getting there! So I have been looking for a place between Bakerfield and Lodi(Flag City). Last spring we just drove from Palm Springs to Rolling Hills Casino in Corning. Long day!!! We have bypassed Flag City recently because of cost and freeway noise. We like the Rolling Hills Casino easy in easy out, put your CC in the machine to pay your $25.

Visalia is about half way between Bakerfield and Corning with around 300 miles per day. Might be cheaper to join the Elks, as I hate KOA's.

I sent an email to Arena RV in Chowchilla, will see what they have to say.

Maybe we need a mini NW Rally to talk about these issues and shakedown for the migration South?

Chris

Chris, I5 is the better route now. CalTrans fixed all the spots that knocked your fillings out between Buttonwillow and Tracy.
And instead of taking SR58 to I5 in Buttonwillow, take 99 to SR46 at Famoso, about 30 mi north of Bakersfield. It's a better ride, mostly 60 mph, no stop lights except in Wasco. 28 miles between Famoso and Lost Hills on I5. The cheapest fuel in Wasco when we went through last week was the Chevron on the east side of town, at Lost Hills there is a Love's.

Jeff

[snoking]

Jeff last spring we had friends have to do a quick up the valley and back. They went up I5 and back diwn 99. When they got back to the park they said you are right, 99 is a smoother ride. Chris

[mikenmarge]

We take both I-5 and 99 regularly. Just came home from San Francisco via I-5 about 2 weeks ago and cut over to 99/Visalia on 198. They have been doing a lot of work on I-5 and I admit that it's much smoother than it used to be. They are also doing work on 99. Hopefully, it will soon be as smooth as 5. Not too many nice places to stay along I-5 either. And you will notice that there are very few rest stops on either. That Kingsburg RV Park on 99 is a very good choice for an overnight stay. Lots of grass and trees. When we go to Redding, we drive straight through from Visalia. About the max we like to drive in one day. If we stop for fuel and a short meal, it's 6 1/2- 7 hrs. Since we often go to the east side of 99 (Sierras and Yosemite, Sequoia Nat'l Park, Kings Canyon Nat'l Park), we use 99 since Visalia is right on 99 and it's closer to those areas.

[Don Wilson]

We use 99 more than I-5 because we are usually coming from the south heading home of off CA 58 and it is closer but I get into the second lane from the right and try to stay there because the slow lane on 99 from Bakersfield to Sacramento is rough and bumpy. They have done some work in the last year that has made it better but on the parts that are concrete it seems that there are more patches than original road.

Don