San Onofre Recreation Beach, Camp Pendleton, CA

Stay Date:  Multiple, last stay November 2009
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
Staying anywhere in the Los Angeles area is expensive, but fortunately the Marine base has an outstanding facility right on the beach near San Clemente.  Easy access from “The Five”, good paved roads, some paved, mostly dirt/sand sites.  The full-hookup sites are across the road from the beach, and the noise can be a distraction, especially on a weekend when the young Marines come to party.  Sites are fairly level, no cable or WiFi, but Verizon Aircard worked well.  Some train noise, but not too much at night.  Incredible beach and surf, and if you’re willing to settle for water/electric only, you can park nose-in right on the beach, surrounded by privacy shrubs, with a firepit and the sound of surf to put you to sleep.  A busy place, but well run and at $35/day full hookup site, a bargain in this area.  Military or DoD ID required.  San Onofre Recreation Beach

Arrowhead RV Resort, Welton AZ

Stay Date:  November 2009
Our Rating:  REALLY UGLY – 3
This is a long-term snowbird park, not an overnight stop. For $28 (cash only) you get a spot in a gravel parking lot on the periphery of the park with water and electric only - no sewer hookup, table, trees; just dust and train noise. Unfriendly people looked at us as if we were intruders to their remote little world.  Our bad, we should have done more research; don't make our mistake - avoid this park if traveling, there are better, less expensive parks around. We'll avoid this park in the future.

Park of the Sierras, Coarsegold CA

Stay Date:  November 2010
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
This park is limited to Escapees members and their guests; you rent the site of an absent owner for the $15 plus metered electric. An absolutely gorgeous park with great facilities. The park roads are paved and wind through the oaks and manzanilla. Sites are large and depending on how much the owner has added, very nice with patios, bird feeders, and other touches. The staff and residents are friendly and helpful, and you're invited to all of the activities. Good Verizon cell and Air Card, and most sites have free cable. There’s a good casino down the road.  It's almost worth the annual cost of membership just to come here. It's a special place and we'll stay here again. Park of the Sierras

Green Acres RV Park, Redding CA

Stay Date:  November 2010
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
This is a hidden gem - your $25 gets you a large, level cement pad, great hookups, cable TV, excellent Wi-Fi, and a shady, quiet location. Mostly permanent residents and nicely landscaped.  No restroom facilities.  Verizon cell and Aircard worked well.  Don't let the drive through the used car lot fool you; this is a quality park. Some train noise at night but not bad. Green Acres RV Park

Regency Inn and RV, Ashland OR

Stay Date:  November 2010
Our Rating:  REALLY UGLY – 3
We pulled in to this location due to bad weather and a review that didn't sound too bad; however, just the appearance of the motel should have been a clue that this was not going to be a quality experience. For $29 you get a tight pull through between antique 30 amp power pedestals, with your tow in a grass/dirt lot and most of the coach hanging into the parking lot. Only the cable TV kept the rating lower. Seedy looking permanent units, noise from the highway, and big rigs using the space behind all night contributed to a restless night. An OK $12 stop, but for $29 it's a ripoff. We'll drive through the area in a blizzard next time rather than stop here.

Harris Beach SP, Brookings OR

Stay Date:  November 2010
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
Oregon has one of the best park systems in the country, and Harris beach is a great example of how a state park should operate. We reserved a site ($8 Reserve America fee) since much of the park is closed down during the winter, but were able to trade on arrival for a larger first-come site with high on the bluff with an ocean view. We had an incredible view of the water and sea stacks, and fell asleep at night to the sound of the pounding waves. A large volunteer force keeps the place looking like Disneyland, and all of the facilities are immaculate. One of the few parks with WiFi (pay) and excellent cable TV (included in site fee). Verizon Cell and air card signal were very strong.  Difficult to find a hole in the trees for a satellite shot.  Although the best sites with views are 30A and without sewer, this is a real bargain at the winter rate. Harris Beach SP

Winchester Bay RV Resort, OR

 
Stay date:  Multiple, most recent October 2009
Our Rating:  GOOD – 10
Ah, if only all RV “resorts” lived up to this place.  Built on a jetty, paved and landscapes sites all have a beautiful view of the harbor or river, and you can year the waves crashing in the distance.  If you’re lucky, you can score a pull-in site right on the harbor and watch the Harbor Seals, Dolphin, and ducks.  Great lighted hookups include cable, and there’s free WiFi.  You can fish and crab from right in front of your RV, or out on the jetty.  The harbor area is crammed with interesting restaurants and shops, or you can just walk the dock area and enjoy the atmosphere.  Up on the hill is an interesting Coast Guard museum and lighthouse, and you can walk the beach and see an oyster farm.  Nearby Reedsport has groceries and things to do; don’t miss the elk along Highway 38!  $39/night during the summer, but the winter rates are reasonable ($29) and it’s generally mild along the coast.  Winchester Bay RV Resort