"Turtling" Options Along the 101

[Hoagie]

We are looking for a place to "turtle" along the 101 for a trip to Paso Robles over Memorial Day Weekend. We'll probably turtle again on the way to Smithwoods at the end of July. We are planning on leaving our place in Orange after the traffic dies down, say around 9pm. Drive for a few hours to get north of LA and then park for a few hours to get some rest. Don't really want to go through checking in and paying for a real campsite for the short time we'll be stopped. We'll roll out of wherever we stop in time to get to Paso Robles by 8am or so.

I've read plenty about RV "camping" in Walmart parking lots. But I've found conflicting reports on camping at the Walmarts in Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, etc. Can anyone relate personal experience using these lots?

How about Costco, K-Mart, Sam's Club, Lowes or other parking lots? Has anyone used any of these?

Another option would be to go up I-5 There is a Flying J truck stop in Frazier Park. Has anyone ever used this for an overnight stop?

We're open to any other suggestions for overnight parking. No need to "camp" in a real campground for this stop. Thanks in advance.

[Recumbentman]

Hey Brain
Just signed up for the GWBR can't wait    anyway we live in Ventura and you are more than welcome to park in front of our house. we are an easy off/on from Hwy 126. Another option is Flying Flags  in Buellton. We love this park and they have a dry camping area for about $20.00 a night. PM if you have any questions.

Brad and Mary

[Gracy]

How about Faria Beach in Ventura county?  We pull in there all the time.... they don't take reservations you just toss a check in the box when you get there

http://portal.countyofventura.org/portal/page?_pageid=829,1103593&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

[OC Campers]

The Walmart thing is iffy.  It isn't Walmart that has the problem.  They are fine with over night camping in the parking lot it is the city that has a problem with it.  

There is also the Farwest Campground in Santa Paula where the Halloween rally is.  You could also shoot up the cost and stay at Point Magu, Leo Carrillo or Big Sycamore Cove cg.  It may be difficult getting a reservation though because of the holiday weekend.

Jacqui

[Hoagie]

Hey Brain
Just signed up for the GWBR can't wait    anyway we live in Ventura and you are more than welcome to park in front of our house. we are an easy off/on from Hwy 126. Another option is Flying Flags  in Buellton. We love this park and they have a dry camping area for about $20.00 a night. PM if you have any questions.

Brad and Mary

Hi Brad/Mary,

Thank you very much for the offer. I'll keep your "curb space" in mind. We are thinking of leaving our place in Orange sometime after the traffic dies down; could be 9pm or even later. That might mean we'd be getting to Ventura pretty late. I don't want to be a burden to anyone, which is why I was looking for a parking lot stay. We can "turtle-up" for a few hours of sleep and then get up to the fairgrounds when the gates open.  Might even have time to get a ride in Thursday. But thank you very much for the offer and I'll get back to you as GWBR approaches.

We feel your excitement about this trip. This will be our 13th consecutive year at GWBR and every year has been a blast. We have a number of new people joining us again this year and we expect to be camped in the same area again. Let's get together for a glass of wine or two sometime over the weekend.

[Hoagie]

How about Faria Beach in Ventura county?  We pull in there all the time.... they don't take reservations you just toss a check in the box when you get there

http://portal.countyofventura.org/portal/page?_pageid=829,1103593&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Hi Gracy,

Faria Beach looks like a nice place to camp. Maybe a future rally location??

We are thinking of just parking for a few hours, getting some rest and then clearing out before dawn. We want to be in Paso Robles by 8am or so. I'm not inclined to pay for a true campsite for the few hours we'd be there. So we are really looking for a parking lot that allows overnight parking. Thanks for the suggestion, though. It is much appreciated.

[wavery]

Hi Gracy,

Faria Beach looks like a nice place to camp. Maybe a future rally location??

Impossibe......it's 1st-come-1st served. No reservations.

It's great for people that live in the area and can take a chance on having to turn around and go home but risky (at best) for anyone that has to drive any distance.

[Recumbentman]

We are thinking of just parking for a few hours, getting some rest and then clearing out before dawn. We want to be in Paso Robles by 8am or so. I'm not inclined to pay for a true campsite for the few hours we'd be there. So we are really looking for a parking lot that allows overnight parking. Thanks for the suggestion, though. It is much appreciated.

Brain
If that is the case I would recommend the Walmart/Sam's club parking Lot in Oxnard (101 & Rose ave). RV's use the parking area close to Sam's club all the time.

[cjpoppin]

Brian, go to  Freecampgrounds.com and see what wal-marts they have listed.  Jim and I have found this site to be helpful.......

[Dee4j]

I say go for it.... don't stop..... go the distance :p oh I forgot you can't stay awake past 10 pm  :yikes:    :p

[paspilot]

This is in range of where we like to camp. You have a handful of choices that are actual campsites. Along the 126 there are several around Filmore. One is just west of town, a few blocks away from the 126 and run by ventura county. If I remember correctly, it's a drop your money in a envelope operation.

If you want to take the 118, there is another county run spot just west of Simi. I didn't like taking my kids there because the playground equipment was all beat up, and the place was pretty tired. It'll work for a rest stop. It's easier to get to if you go into moorpark and come back on the road paralleling the freeway.

Google "ventura county park camping"  for descriptions maps etc.

I haven't tried to turtle anywhere with the popup. I have camped in all sorts of places but it was back in the day with just a bike and later a car-It's a bit easier to find a spot private enough to get a good nights sleep.

It's an adventure, it'll be fun!
Carl

[Hoagie]

I say go for it.... don't stop..... go the distance :p oh I forgot you can't stay awake past 10 pm  :yikes:    :p

You are assuming that just because we didn't stay up until 3am with you 2 nights in a row that we were not awake Saturday night. Assumptions can be dangerous. Not as dangerous as Blue Bombers, but dangerous none the less.

[Gracy]

You are assuming that just because we didn't stay up until 3am with you 2 nights in a row that we were not awake Saturday night. Assumptions can be dangerous. Not as dangerous as Blue Bombers, but dangerous none the less.

Don't feel bad.... they gave us the same hard time   I tend to enjoy sleep and don't get much of it in my real life so I take as much of it when I get the chance  :p

[Dee4j]

Don't feel bad.... they gave us the same hard time   I tend to enjoy sleep and don't get much of it in my real life so I take as much of it when I get the chance  :p

how can you with a screaming toddler at 5 am :eyecrazy:  :yikes: there is no sleep for you for a long... long..... time :p


now Hoagie I'm only harrassing you because of the BRAGGING you did Friday nite...I have witnesses :p

I've never "turtled" anywhere, what are the rules at rest areas? there must be someplace the truck drivers stop.

I've just always gone to Lopez etc in one shot, Carol will be surprised at what time I arrive at Smithswood. I stop only to get gas..and only because I have to.
the kids know that's when they go potty and get whatever food and drinks they need because we're not stopping for another 200 milies. I inherited this from my father :rolleyes:

[Gracy]

Bahaaaaaaaaaaaha!  See Dee knows what I'm talkin bout!   :eyecrazy: I gotta get those winks when ever I can!