Calif Coast tour, but campgrounds closed.
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Calif Coast tour, but campgrounds closed.
I'd like to bike the calif. coast. But all the campgrounds seem to be closed due to covid. I'm not a 100 mile a day guy. probably closer to 50 to 60 at least for now. I'm not sure if there are enough motels frequently enough at those distances. any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks
#2
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I'd like to bike the calif. coast. But all the campgrounds seem to be closed due to covid. I'm not a 100 mile a day guy. probably closer to 50 to 60 at least for now. I'm not sure if there are enough motels frequently enough at those distances. any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks
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OP, when are you thinking about this tour? It won't be too much longer until the winter storms hit. Second worst windy day I've had was near the CA coast -- reminded me of my worst windy day ever, but it was only a quarter as long as the stretch in Wyoming. You might want to wait until spring, and hope things open back up.
#4
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I'd like to bike the calif. coast. But all the campgrounds seem to be closed due to covid. I'm not a 100 mile a day guy. probably closer to 50 to 60 at least for now. I'm not sure if there are enough motels frequently enough at those distances. any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks
Go to Google maps, look at distances to larger towns X kms from your start point. Look for hotels, motels, whatever. Call them.
Repeat, and voila, you'll have your answer.
and I'd take the wind warnings seriously. I did the Oregon Cali trip a million years ago (camping) but I do remember the prevailing winds, so when locals here talk of the stronger winds in oct, I sure wouldnt want to be riding against them, or even dealing with wind and rain if thats a possibility , although I have no clue of Californian weather.
you should be able to get a good idea of whats available, its so easy to find this info nowadays.
If you do it, have fun.
#5
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The main problem you will have between SF and LA is from Pfeiffer-Big Sur to San Simeon. There are a few expensive motels between the two, but not much else. It is 70 stunning miles of serious up and down.
If you are starting further north, you should be able to find something every 50 miles, even if some days are shorter or longer than that.
I've written a guide to biking from SF to LA that might be of interest to you regarding that portion of your trip.
If you are starting further north, you should be able to find something every 50 miles, even if some days are shorter or longer than that.
I've written a guide to biking from SF to LA that might be of interest to you regarding that portion of your trip.
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Is everything burned or on fire? Or will you be breathing smoke?
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Not everywhere is on fire, but many choice roads are still closed anyway "because they can". Reminds me of the endless PITA road construction projects, that never seem to get done. I have just about had with this state, and it has nothing to do with fires or earthquakes.
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OP, when are you thinking about this tour? It won't be too much longer until the winter storms hit. Second worst windy day I've had was near the CA coast -- reminded me of my worst windy day ever, but it was only a quarter as long as the stretch in Wyoming. You might want to wait until spring, and hope things open back up.
Last edited by jpjuggler; 10-16-20 at 07:08 AM.
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The main problem you will have between SF and LA is from Pfeiffer-Big Sur to San Simeon. There are a few expensive motels between the two, but not much else. It is 70 stunning miles of serious up and down.
I've written a guide to biking from SF to LA that might be of interest to you regarding that portion of your trip.
I've written a guide to biking from SF to LA that might be of interest to you regarding that portion of your trip.
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Good point!
Anytime in CA, I will be taking the smoke fire very seriously. besides just wood smoke, when houses and other things burn, there are other particulates in the air from metal, batteries, and who knows what else that I don't want in my lungs.
Anytime in CA, I will be taking the smoke fire very seriously. besides just wood smoke, when houses and other things burn, there are other particulates in the air from metal, batteries, and who knows what else that I don't want in my lungs.
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thanks for the info. I had never heard about warm showers before. what a resource. Wild camping... i would be a total novice, and would feel timid but something to consider. My friends kids did it right up in GGNRA near SF. had no problem and didn't get caught.
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Check the CA park rules for camping. It might be like NY State where you can camp most anywhere in a state forest (below 3500 ft) as long as you are 150 ft. away from water or a road. That makes it wild stealth camping, not illegal "stealth" camping.
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Not everywhere is on fire, but many choice roads are still closed anyway "because they can". Reminds me of the endless PITA road construction projects, that never seem to get done. I have just about had with this state, and it has nothing to do with fires or earthquakes.
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There has been tremendous improvement in the AQI at least in the Sacramento—Bay Area region. I’ve been riding for two weeks with zero concern.
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I am a big fan of stealth camping, even in closed parks. Leave no trace, pack it out. The biggest issue with this is water and food. Bring a filter as backup (Sawyer filter is small and light).
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Most of the CA state parks are open south of SFO. The campgrounds require reservations. No hiker biker sites because that is considered group camping.
Here is my list of campgrounds SFO-SAN. If they are marked hiker-biker they also have reg camp sites. Military ones will req a DOD ID. First number is total miles from start. Second number is miles from preceding campground.
PACIFIC COAST ROUTE CAMPGROUNDS, HOSTEL, MILITARILY LODGING
000/000
Colma Bart station
026/026
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Hiker-Biker
048/022
Pigeon Point Light House
Hostel
083/035
New Brighton State Beach
Hiker-Biker
128/045
Navy Lodge Monterey
Military lodging
131/003
Monterey Veterans Memorial Park
Hiker-Biker
133/002
Navy Post Graduate School Monterey
Military-Lodging
136/003
IHG Army Hotel Monterey
Military-Lodging
169/033
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Hiker-Biker
198/025
Kirk Creek Campground
Camping (no water or showers)
203/005
Plaskett Creek Campground
Camping (no showers)
238/035
Hearst San Simeon State Park
Hiker Biker
265/0027
Morro Bay State Park
Hiker-Biker
273/008
El Chorro Regional Park
Camping
275/002
Camp San Louis Obispo
Military-camping military-Lodging
293/018
Pismo State Beach/North Beach Campground
Camping
295/002
Coastal Dunes RV Park
Hiker-Biker
296/001
Oceano Campground
Camping
339/043
Vandenberg AFB
Military-Camping. Military-Lodging
381/042
Refugio State Beach
Hiker-Biker
384/003
EL Capitan State Beach
Hiker-Biker
416/032
Carpinteria State Beach
Hiker-Biker
439/023
McGrath State Beach
Hiker-Biker
448/009
Navy Lodge Port Hueneme
Military-Lodging
454/006
NAS Point Mugu
Military-Lodging. Military-Camping
456/002
Point Mugu State Park
Hiker-Biker
460/004
Leo Carrillo State Park
Hiker-Biker
487/0027
Hi Los Angels Santa Monica Hostel
Hostel
516/0029
Fort MacArthur
Military-Lodging
554/0038
Crystal Cove State Park
Camping
568/014
Doheny State Park
Hiker-Biker
595/027
Pendleton Pacific Views Lodge
Military-Lodging
611/016
San Elijah State Beach
Camping
637/026
SanDiego
Military-Lodging
Here is my list of campgrounds SFO-SAN. If they are marked hiker-biker they also have reg camp sites. Military ones will req a DOD ID. First number is total miles from start. Second number is miles from preceding campground.
PACIFIC COAST ROUTE CAMPGROUNDS, HOSTEL, MILITARILY LODGING
000/000
Colma Bart station
026/026
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Hiker-Biker
048/022
Pigeon Point Light House
Hostel
083/035
New Brighton State Beach
Hiker-Biker
128/045
Navy Lodge Monterey
Military lodging
131/003
Monterey Veterans Memorial Park
Hiker-Biker
133/002
Navy Post Graduate School Monterey
Military-Lodging
136/003
IHG Army Hotel Monterey
Military-Lodging
169/033
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Hiker-Biker
198/025
Kirk Creek Campground
Camping (no water or showers)
203/005
Plaskett Creek Campground
Camping (no showers)
238/035
Hearst San Simeon State Park
Hiker Biker
265/0027
Morro Bay State Park
Hiker-Biker
273/008
El Chorro Regional Park
Camping
275/002
Camp San Louis Obispo
Military-camping military-Lodging
293/018
Pismo State Beach/North Beach Campground
Camping
295/002
Coastal Dunes RV Park
Hiker-Biker
296/001
Oceano Campground
Camping
339/043
Vandenberg AFB
Military-Camping. Military-Lodging
381/042
Refugio State Beach
Hiker-Biker
384/003
EL Capitan State Beach
Hiker-Biker
416/032
Carpinteria State Beach
Hiker-Biker
439/023
McGrath State Beach
Hiker-Biker
448/009
Navy Lodge Port Hueneme
Military-Lodging
454/006
NAS Point Mugu
Military-Lodging. Military-Camping
456/002
Point Mugu State Park
Hiker-Biker
460/004
Leo Carrillo State Park
Hiker-Biker
487/0027
Hi Los Angels Santa Monica Hostel
Hostel
516/0029
Fort MacArthur
Military-Lodging
554/0038
Crystal Cove State Park
Camping
568/014
Doheny State Park
Hiker-Biker
595/027
Pendleton Pacific Views Lodge
Military-Lodging
611/016
San Elijah State Beach
Camping
637/026
SanDiego
Military-Lodging
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If you "stealth camp" in a closed park and you're caught there, can you be charged with trespassing or other charges?
Cheers
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I’ve read the posted regulations in PA and NJ state parks. The answer is yes. Same if you glide into an open one late and sneak out in the morning without paying, as more than one person on this site has said they like to do.
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I think this is absurd, FWIW, since the land is ours not theirs. But that's what will happen if you mess with the feds, they will crush you like a bug every chance they get.
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It's amazing how heavily-patrolled a closed NP is. I think they patrol them even more when they are closed.
I think this is absurd, FWIW, since the land is ours not theirs. But that's what will happen if you mess with the feds, they will crush you like a bug every chance they get.
I think this is absurd, FWIW, since the land is ours not theirs. But that's what will happen if you mess with the feds, they will crush you like a bug every chance they get.
And patrolling a closed park is wise so trespassers don't get themselves hurt or killed or trash the place or start forest fires doing stupid stuff like people are prone to do. Did you not hear about the trashing of many parks earlier this year? People leaving behind mountains of trash and crapping all over the place. And it's not "our" land. It's owned by the federal government and held in trust for a multitude of uses, including commercial uses like logging and mining.
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It's amazing how heavily-patrolled a closed NP is. I think they patrol them even more when they are closed.
I think this is absurd, FWIW, since the land is ours not theirs. But that's what will happen if you mess with the feds, they will crush you like a bug every chance they get.
I think this is absurd, FWIW, since the land is ours not theirs. But that's what will happen if you mess with the feds, they will crush you like a bug every chance they get.
#25
Senior Member
It's amazing how heavily-patrolled a closed NP is. I think they patrol them even more when they are closed.
I think this is absurd, FWIW, since the land is ours not theirs. But that's what will happen if you mess with the feds, they will crush you like a bug every chance they get.
I think this is absurd, FWIW, since the land is ours not theirs. But that's what will happen if you mess with the feds, they will crush you like a bug every chance they get.
Maybe you are joking