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Topic: RV sites in California

nelmo

09/6/2016 at 9:34am
Location: Surrey
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We're considering going to California next August and hiring an RV etc, etc.

Does anyone know if we would need to book RV sites in California in advance or are there enough of them with spaces (even in August) that we can just wing it?

(Ignoring Yosemite - I know that needs advance booking).

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'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain

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Beenie

09/6/2016 at 11:13am
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This organisation can answer your questions

http://koa.com/

It's Kampground of America or something like that. We used it a lot when we camped in the US.

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Beenie xxx

blueexpo97

09/6/2016 at 11:30am
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Quick link to KOA.

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XVI yes?

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nelmo

09/6/2016 at 12:04pm
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Bailey Valencia + Lexus RX400h

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Thanks - although I was hoping for some personal experience. If I contact a campsite or organisation, they'll always say I need to book to 'avoid disappointment' - I'm hoping to get an idea of the reality of how busy they actually get.

I've found another useful site which just seems to list all the sites (don't know how up-to-date it is) but there are so many, I can't believe they'll all be fully booked if I turn up on the day...

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'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

badger54

09/6/2016 at 1:10pm
Location: kent
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We were touring the US in 2000, from March till October, and Yosemite was the only place that was really busy and even there we got a spot without booking (in July).
From my experience the KOA sites, on the very few occasions that we had to use them, were soul-less places with ranks of closely lined up RV`s. We tended to use campgrounds in National Parks, State Parks, National Forests and such like, all the facilities generally, but you get to sit around a campfire at night and feel as if you are really camping.
You will love it.

dart18

09/6/2016 at 4:36pm
Location: plymouth devon
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We went a few years ago in August and booked through KOA we had trouble getting onto some of the sites we wanted to so if there is somewhere in particular you want to be I would advise booking we found all the sites we used to be of a very high standard. A word of advice plan your first nights stop about an hour from where you pick your RV up from as it takes a while to fill in all the forms,and watch the instruction and safety film. Once we had shopped and stowed everything we were glad that our campsite was only an hour and half outside LA. Was a fantastic experience and would recommend it.

badger54

10/6/2016 at 10:03am
Location: kent
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If you are planning on visiting several National Parks look at buying a Park Pass rather than paying individually at each park. The pitches in parks generally have a picnic table and a fire-pit of some sort, and camping etiquette means that the previous occupant will leave enough firewood for your first nights fire.
This is bringing back memories of sitting around a fire with a guitar listening to coyotes howling in the distance.

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

nelmo

10/6/2016 at 8:28pm
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Bailey Valencia + Lexus RX400h

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Thanks all - useful info...

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'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain

debbied

11/6/2016 at 4:58pm
Location: Sunny Cornwall.
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When I did Colorado in August about 15 years ago I just booked 1st and last night and never had a problem finding a pitch for the nights in between. The RV I hired was tiny by US standards so I'm not sure if the situation would be the same if you had a big RV.
I was impressed with the facilities at most of the sites and everybody was unfailingly friendly, have fun!

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