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Sat Aug 06, 2005 1:23 pm

Hey guys,
we're 2 brits who've just bought a 68 westy in santa rosa (see other post, westy fun). we've just driven it from san fran to north of san diego via yosemite and inland and were now hoping to spend some time in and around the beaches of san diego before heading back up to san fran along highway 1.
so far we've been a bit disappointed with the rv sites - either beautiful but with no facitlities more than a portaloo, or full of enormous rvs where we feel a bit small and weird for eating outside.....
can anyone recommend any cool, chilled campgrounds with a shower!, which would be anywhere along that route??? we'd really appreciate the info cos we feel we're missing something....
or, equally are the any places we can just pull off the road for a night rather than walmart!

also, along the way, would there be any cruise nights, drag racing , stuff to see, , or equally outdoorsy nature stuff that we shouldn't miss.we're hoping to get a couple of cruising bikes, are there any racks that are easy to fit on a 68 westy?

BASICALLY any local info you could share with a couple of enthusiastic tourists ( including car part information...) we'd be really grateful.

cheers in advance...!

enjoying our adventure here already,
laura and joe

Sat Aug 06, 2005 2:36 pm

Joe75 wrote: Hey guys,
we're 2 brits who've just bought a 68 westy in santa rosa (see other post, westy fun). we've just driven it from san fran to north of san diego via yosemite and inland and were now hoping to spend some time in and around the beaches of san diego before heading back up to san fran along highway 1.
so far we've been a bit disappointed with the rv sites - either beautiful but with no facitlities more than a portaloo, or full of enormous rvs where we feel a bit small and weird for eating outside.....
can anyone recommend any cool, chilled campgrounds with a shower!, which would be anywhere along that route??? we'd really appreciate the info cos we feel we're missing something....
or, equally are the any places we can just pull off the road for a night rather than walmart!

also, along the way, would there be any cruise nights, drag racing , stuff to see, , or equally outdoorsy nature stuff that we shouldn't miss.we're hoping to get a couple of cruising bikes, are there any racks that are easy to fit on a 68 westy?

BASICALLY any local info you could share with a couple of enthusiastic tourists ( including car part information...) we'd be really grateful.

cheers in advance...!

enjoying our adventure here already,
laura and joe

when scoping out campgrounds, I like to use www.reserveamerica.com
They have good descriptions of campgrounds in California and what each one has, showers, etc... This way you know ahead of time which offers you what you need. It is summer so many may be booked up but sometimes drive-ins can get in if they have room.

tj

Sat Aug 06, 2005 6:29 pm

Try south Carslbad state beach, some times if you call at the right time peolpe cancel due to lots of reasons the night they are suposed to show up. They have showers and a great veiw from a cliff, good luck though like mentioned before it's summer time. 8) Or try to pull in Oceanside at the harbor you might be able to spend the night their (outside showers).

Sun Aug 07, 2005 12:21 pm

stayed in south calsbad last night.....ok place but nothing near by...we tryed to walk to a bar but found only free ways........maybe we are confused with europe where you can walk down the rd to a nice bar?? not at south calsbad tonight as it was full...its full until oct!!! they told us we should have booked in jan?!

keep the ideas coming

joe and laura.

Sun Aug 07, 2005 12:29 pm

You didn't tell me you wanted to go "bar hopping" If I would have knowed that I would have let you stay at my place for the night. Carlsbad has a nice set of bars downtown. How much longer a you staying in SoCal? Also their is a VW cruise going on today in San Diego.

Sun Aug 07, 2005 1:45 pm

If you are heading north, don't miss the Hearst Castle in San Simeon.
There is a raccoon-infested (but otherwise pleasant) State Park there for camping.

Try Kirk Creek and/or Plaskett Creek up past Gorda.

I highly recommend the campground at Arroyo Seco, which is between Carmel Valley and Greenfield.

Don't miss the Monterey Aquarium.
Don't miss Santa Cruz.

Let us know where you will be and when, in case any of us want to meet up with you, swap stories, drink your beer, etc.

Sun Aug 07, 2005 1:48 pm

Also if you need to take alook at your car, I have tools if something doesn't sound or work right.

Sun Aug 07, 2005 7:18 pm

hello lo notch...

sounds like we missed the bars in south carlsbad...shame.........we are in campland by the bay tonight and for the next few nights.......planning on buying a couple of cruzer bikes tomorrow (know anywher ethat is cheap or does second hand?) as we have worked out that walking along freeways here is not that popular!!!! we then have a tacky visit to tijuana planned and maybe a night out in down town san diego for some cheap nice food and then some beers.....if u are about let us know.

sounds like we also missed the vw cruz today.....dam we seem to miss everything!

as for working on the van...so far all is well....the drum brakes need adjusting and a quick clean....and we need to change the oil. dont want to take the micky and use your place to change the oil but would be happy if you could send us to vw friendly garge?

thanks for ya help.

joe

Sun Aug 07, 2005 7:27 pm

Look in Pacific Beach for bikes, There are a few bike shops on Garnet Ave, and I think they sell used bikes also. I do have a Chicago schiwnn for sale It's not brand new but you will always get your money back on it if you decide to sale. You will be driving right by my house on your way north if you want to adjust your brakes and change your oil it's no big deal come on by and enjoy a frosty one. 8) I have a ocean view and if you need any parts there are plenty of shops around, or I could take you to my friends resto shop. Cheers! Have a safe trip. PM me if you want to stop by.

Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:04 pm

Hi lonotch,
we've pm'ed you..
cheers

Wed Aug 17, 2005 8:41 am

hi guys,

we have made it as fars as santa barbara....

in abaout 4 or 5 days we will be back in san fran bay area.....can anyone tell us any good places to park, rv sites free stuff etc etc. also we need to pick up some new and used vw parts does anyone know of any got shops wreckers yards etc.

thanks for ya help so far. maybe u could pm me as i keep losing these posts as things nhere move sooooooooooo quick and i only find net access every few days

cheers
joe

Wed Aug 17, 2005 2:55 pm

Spend a nite or 2 at Pismo Beach (Oceano Dunes). 90 miles north of Santa Barbara. $10 a nite and you get to drive and camp on the beach (its the only legal beach in CA you can drive and camp on :-) . Get there before Fri as they sell out quick. Directions---take the Grand Avenue exit off hiway 101 and go west. Grand Ave dead ends to the beach (about 2 miles from 101). Drop your air pressure to about 12 lbs when you hit the sand and you are good to go. Drive south down the beach for about 2 miles for camping. Pismo is noted for its off road activities (dune buggies and ATVs).

Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:03 pm

I would def. hit the beach At Pismo. If you feel like walking around looking for bars. Drive up to San Luis Obispo(about 15 mins. north of Pismo) in the evening. Just park and walk. Atleast 10-15 bars, with the majority on Higuera. Possibly Frog & Peach, Mission Grill, Marties, Mothers, The Library, Boles, Spikes, Mc Carthys, and SLObrew. Or great food and drinks @ Firestone. If you need any parts, let me know. I have a small shop in SLO @12326 Los Osos Valley Rd.. and live in Arroyo Grande which is next to Pismo..

Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:08 pm

hey juroknow, Pismo has bars :-)

Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:56 pm

Oh ya, I forgot about Harrys. Downtown Pismo. San Luis Obispo (college town, lots af stuff going on). Pismo (tourist town, end of summer, middle aged bar). :lol: Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Fri Aug 19, 2005 6:08 am

If you head north again, there are some good campgrounds in Santa Cruz (Sunset State Beach, for example) and then up in the Santa Cruz Mtns there's San Mateo Memorial County Park which doesn't take reservations and is awesome!

-Taylor

Fri Aug 19, 2005 9:28 am

Big Basin in Santa Cruz is nice as is Memorial Park just East of Pescadero off of Highway 1.

There's a AAA in Monterey (among other places) and they have campground books as well as maps that list campgrounds.

Buggy House is in Hayward (510-582-7847) but that's about an hour east of Santa Cruz. Oh, VolksCafe is a VW place in Santa Cruz.

Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:22 am

Camp in the redwoods at Ventana campground in Big Sur. Beautiful redwoods with a stream running through the middle of the grounds. Clean bathrooms and showers. No large RVs are allowed, mostly campers with tents so it'd be perfect for you.

http://www.ventanawildernesscampground.com/

Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:51 pm

Hey I am from Monterey... right on Hwy1... are you guys still cruising?

Justin :twisted:

Wed Sep 14, 2005 11:11 pm

Speaking of Monterey, the MPAS (Monterey Peninsula Aircooled Society - http://www.mpasvw.com ) will be putting on their 4th Annual Vintage Volkswagen Tour of Monterey coming up on Sunday, September 25th. The Vintage Tour will start at the Del Monte Shopping Center off of Soledad Dr./Munras Ave. and Hwy 1 and will cruise thru the Fishermans Wharf, Cannery Row, and along the coast by Pacific Grove and end up in a park in Carmel Valley where we'll park on the grass for a potluck lunch.
Also heard rumor that the 17-mile drive might be added in this year.

Here's a couple shots from the Vintage Tour 2003 to give you an idea:
Starting from Del Monte Shopping Center:

Stopped along side of the road in Pacific Grove: