After a one week trip from Oceanside to Pismo Beach in February 2021, we wanted to do another trip there during summer.
Our trip northward, we kept to the “2-2-2” rule – “take a break every 2hrs, drive 200mi, stop by 2pm”. Our arrivals were often closer to 3 or 4pm but we stuck to the other suggested “rules”. Stopping at a rest area to have lunch, check tires, and hit the restroom after a couple hours. Our Tacoma’s range is only about 180-200mi so we’ve been limiting ourselves to that distance each day. But at that pace, you don’t get very far so now that we are gaining more experience. We will gradually extend our time on the road and make fuel stop with the trailer attached. Something we’ve been reluctant to do but after pinpointing RV-friendly gas stations, on the two legs to get home – Monterey to Buellton 212mi; Buellton to Oceanside 220mi. We will fuel up near the freeway and get back on the road without taking a break.
Since Pismo State Beach is a bit farther than a tank of gas. The first leg was to our first KOA at Ventura Ranch for 2 nights. We met our son Matthew in Camarillo for an early Mother’s Day lunch and spent the day with him. After postponing his wedding in 2020, he’s finally able to get married with friends and family May 28th, two weeks away. So shopping for wedding clothes and checking out the venue was something we wanted to do. So we did not sight-see or explore much of the Ventura Ranch area.
Next, we camped 4 nights at Pismo State Beach, occupying the same site as our Feb trip. All the site are pull through with water & electrical hookups. The coastal weather this early summer felt cooler then February. We just happened to hit Pismo State Beach during a cooler weather window so we did not really enjoy warmer summer beach weather. It was a cool, foggy “May Grey” on the coast but a little further inland the marine layer burned off.
Our primary destination was Monterey since we were lucky enough to get tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Carol scored some tickets the first weekend open to the public since Covid lockdown. The Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA is 28mi north of Monterey proper.
As mentioned, limiting our daily travels to under 200mi makes for slow travel. So we wanted to drive further each day heading homeward. Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton was midway so we stayed there two nights. Some RV’ers recommended staying two-nights when stopping instead of one. It has its pros and cons: pros you have a chance to rest & check out the area; cons it takes you longer to get home. So it really depends on your schedule. We had the time but we have yet to adjust to the RV retirement lifestyle of taking it slow. When we arrive someplace, we want to hike, bike, and enjoy the area.
