Editor’s Note: This post is written by a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

For many, Christmas elicits images of frolicking in the snow and sitting by a fireplace sipping eggnog. Since Susan and I are not fond of being cold, we headed to Malibu, in Southern California, with its Mediterranean climate, ocean views, beaches, palm trees, surfers, and convertibles. This was a bit surreal, even for Northern Californians like us. Our new puppy Mocha thought nothing of it on her first-ever RV trip and first-ever Christmas!

Mocha is sitting on top of our TV! Photo by Susan Regan

Our first stop in our Unity Murphy Bed from Northern California was a San Miguel winery, part of the Pleasant Valley Wine Trail just north of Paso Robles. Locatelli Winery, a Harvest Hosts destination unaffected by the San Luis Obispo County mandate to cease overnight RV stays, which we had been doing in the Paso Robles wine country since 2010. This mandate drew much criticism, but I want to think my letter to the SLO County Supervisors had something to do with the eventual positive outcome. For context, I also think I’m a rock star and Formula One driver.

We had an excellent indoor wine tasting with our two dogs, although they abstained. A few other people were tasting, and another dog also not imbibing. One couple in a Sprinter class B van finished tasting and only purchased one bottle of wine, proving another advantage of the Unity and Wonder motorhomes–we have more wine storage! The next morning, parked next to the vineyards, revealed a beautiful winter low fog with the rising sun trying to break through.

Locatelli Vineyards and Winery, San Miguel, California

We left early and headed to a nearby truck stop for fuel. Like many truck stops, they only had biodiesel. Another Unity arrived for fuel while we were there. It turns out the automotive pumps had B5, while the truck and RV pumps were B20. When towing our Jeep Wrangler, I prefer the easy maneuvering of the truck/RV pumps, but not if it’s a B20 biodiesel. I put seven gallons of B5 in, mixed with the existing petroleum-based diesel #2. Many California name-brand fueling stations have gone to 95-99% biomass diesel. Biomass diesel can have more than 20% biodiesel, and my Mercedes mechanic says to avoid B20 and biomass diesel blends. We found ourselves going from station to station in search of 100% petroleum-based diesel, which turned out to be easier to find at the off-brand fueling stations.

Biomass diesel, a new trend in California

We arrived at Malibu Beach RV Park, which is on a bluff, but close enough. The ocean-view sites have million-dollar views, and the beach is just across the highway. Thankfully, the RV rates cost much less than the views but are still pricey. We wouldn’t be able to afford even a quaint house in Malibu. The 21-mile-long, narrow enclave is situated along Highway 1, or as the locals call it, “the PCH” for Pacific Coast Highway. It is about 30 miles west of downtown Los Angeles with a population of 10,000 or so.

The upscale town features ultra-expensive beachfront homes, Pepperdine University, fancy restaurants, and several beautiful California State Beaches. Of course, Malibu is home to many Hollywood movie stars, including my good friends Barbara Streisand and Pierce Brosnan (I’m kidding). The last night, another Unity pulled in a couple of sites away, and there was also a Triple E Empress Elite diesel pusher, which was an impressive (and big) coach in mint condition.

Our 2018 Unity MB at Malibu Beach RV Park, Malibu, California

We had lunch at one of my favorite Santa Monica spots, Wally’s, which happens to have an incredible wine selection from around the world, including Paso Robles. The first time we went there, we ate outside on the sidewalk. It wasn’t until I ventured inside to use the restroom that I stumbled into Mecca! Did I mention they had a great selection of wines?

Wally’s has spirits, cheeses, and a bit of wine.

The Malibu mornings produced amazing sunrises viewed from our patio window while barely awake on our Murphy Bed! There were a couple of good sunsets, too, that made me leave the RV park, camera in hand, to get up close and personal with the beach surf. It was beginning to feel like Christmas…well, I guess if you’re not into the snow.

El Matador Beach (Robert Meyers State Beach), Malibu

Venice Beach Pier, Los Angeles, California

After Christmas, it was time to depart Southern California and head north for home with an overnight in Oceano, just south of Pismo Beach. We like to stay at Pacific Dunes Ranch Campground due to a trailhead leading to the dramatic sand dunes of Oceano Dunes State Park. When I say we, I mean me. Something about the wind, sand in your eyes, and trudging uphill through the soft dunes that do not have the same allure for my wife, oddly enough. Or is it because she only wears sandals?!

This visit was a bit unusual–it rained all day and finally stopped briefly by sunset, albeit being gray with flat light. What was different was that the sand was compacted and hard, making it super easy to walk up and down the dunes, and, miraculously, there was no wind. Footprints stayed for hours when normally they would be filled in by shifting sand within minutes. As a landscape photographer, I like revisiting the same spots but experiencing different conditions.

Oceano Dunes State Park, Oceano, California

The sunrise on the dunes was lovely and a fitting last day to a fun RV trip. Though we missed a white Christmas in December, February saw unprecedented snow in California, even on the beach!

Susan wearing sandals with BoBear and Mocha.

Editor’s Note: This post is written by a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

The jaw-dropping beauty of the North Coast of California never ceases to amaze Susan and me. A drive most anywhere along Highway 1 elicits exclamations of wonderment. There is ruggedness and sublime drama, especially in the winter. Yes, it’s a bit remote in places, and the residents must be more self-sufficient than city folks. We saw many churches, schools, and essential services, but medical specialists and hospitals were two hours away. The Sonoma, Alexander, and Anderson Valleys are well known for their wines. There are good restaurants and seafood to buy, breweries, a number of commercial and state campgrounds, Redwood forests, lighthouses, a Skunk Train, whale watching, and even a cool radio station, KOZT in Fort Bragg, spinning great classic rock. Our LTVs make for a perfect way to explore the North Coast. Most recently, on a trip to Mendocino, we met up with friends who own a 40′ diesel pusher with Jeep in tow, and they had a challenge dealing with the tight Highway 1 twists and turns. The driver said he was ready for a whiskey when they arrived at our campground, and he doesn’t even drink!

Seascapes forever!

Bodega Bay

Bodega Bay is just 40 miles north of San Francisco. We stayed at Bodega Dunes State Park, which features a long beach close to Bodega Harbor. Our site was conveniently right across the street. Many boats were moored on wooden docks, and you’ll find amazing restaurants, including a little house called Spud Point Crab Company that served the best take-out clam chowder and sourdough bread. Both were fantastic on a crisp fall day. The village of Bodega Bay sits on the east side of the harbor. At the mouth of the harbor is a county RV park with beaches called Doran Regional Park, which has impressive 360-degree views of the bay and harbor. Alfred Hitchcock shot The Birds here in 1963, much to the Chamber of Commerce’s chagrin.

Bodega Harbor view at sunset.

Bodega Harbor dilapidated pier at sunrise.

Gualala

Gualala, named after the Kashaya Pomo village name, Walaali, comes from the phrase “ak kha wa la lee,” meaning “where the water flows down.” Indeed, the river goes out to the ocean from the center of town to a huge sand bar. Colonized by the Spanish and Russians in the 1800s, it became a logging town. What is now Highway 1 began construction in 1920. Horses were still used extensively due to mud and steep grades, making it difficult for cars. Imagine what the residents from the early 1900s would have thought about an LTV motorhome to get around in. We stayed at an RV park called Anchor Bay Campground, right near the beach, providing incredible ocean views. Lush Redwood forests grow right up to the coastal bluffs. There are a couple of small shopping areas, a wooden Russian onion-domed building that is a hotel, and a restaurant called St. Orres; we highly recommend this restaurant that we’ve dined in since before becoming RVers.

A fantastic RV site (no hookups) at Anchor Bay, in Gualala.

Sunset views a couple of hundred feet from our site at Anchor Bay.

Point Arena

To the north of Gualala is Point Arena, originally called Punta Arena. The first European to record Point Arena was Spaniard Bartolome Ferrer in 1543. Its main street is part of Highway 1 and was associated with 1960s hippie and later counterculture groups. Point Arena Lighthouse was first built in 1870, then torn down after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and rebuilt by a smoke stack builder. It is tied as the tallest lighthouse on the west coast of the US and is the closest location on the mainland to Hawaii. The 115′ lighthouse features a first-order Fresnel lens at over six feet in diameter and weighing more than six tons, consisting of 666 hand-ground glass prisms built in France. Nearby is Schooner Gulch State Beach, known for its geological oddities. One such example is Bowling Ball Beach, where at low tide, large bowling ball-shaped rocks can be seen in the surf.

Point Arena Light Station

Famous Bowling Ball Beach, aptly named!

Salt Point State Park

Salt Point State Park is a 6000-acre state park in Sonoma County, north of the town of Jenner, with 6 miles of rocky coast. The constant impact of the waves forms the sandstone rocks into many shapes and features the first underwater preserves in California. There is also easy hiking for miles amongst the coastal brush. There is RV camping on both sides of Highway 1, with the east side being a bit more sheltered from the wind. When we visited in the winter, only about 10% of the sites were taken. 20 miles of hiking and bike trails, scuba diving, kayaking, and fishing are some recreational activities available. Tide pools provide views of marine life, a visitors center, and some picnic areas are all available. Gerstle Cove is a protected marine reserve. The rock formations and sunsets are memorable, and I recall climbing up high on rock formations over the ocean and the resulting photos not reflecting my courage!

Gerstle Cove underwater Marine Reserve at Salt Point State Park.

Mendocino

Spanish for “of Mendoza,” this scenic town is extremely popular as an artists’ colony and with vacationers. Many of the early settlers of the timber town were New Englanders, as well as Portuguese fishermen and immigrants from the Canton Province in China. The economy declined after 1940 but was revitalized in the late 1950s with the founding of the Mendocino Art Center. Since 1987, Mendocino has been the site of the Mendocino Music Festival. The TV series Murder, She Wrote with Angela Lansbury was set in the fictional town of Cabot Cove, Maine. Some show episodes were filmed in Mendocino, and exterior shots were used throughout the series. It was also depicted as Monterey in Steinbeck’s 1955 East of Eden, starring James Dean. We ate breakfast at Flow, which had great sun-drenched views, and Trillium for lunch, which had great food. We stayed in nearby Caspar, where the Caspar Beach RV Park had a beach cove across the street and the town of Fort Bragg just to the north.

Morning view in Mendocino. Plenty of parking for RVs on the left side of the street.

Lots of water towers in Mendocino.

Point Cabrillo Light Station

Although named after Portuguese explorer Joao Rodrigues Cabrillo, who voyaged on behalf of Spain, he never got near this area by ship or land. The 1909 Point Cabrillo Light Station is only 32′ above the ground, but the height of the headlands raises it to 81′ above sea level and can be seen some 15 miles out to sea. The third-order Fresnel lens has four panels containing 90 lead glass prisms weighing 6800 pounds, constructed in England. Tours of the lantern room are given, but a US Coast Guard representative must be present. The 2001 movie drama The Majestic, starring Jim Carrey, featured this lighthouse. We visited this light station twice at sunset via foot from the visitor’s parking lot, through a dirt trail to take photos. Then, the next day, my two travel friends wanted to go via their new E-Bikes. My bike was just an M-Bike, “M” for manual. I had the last laugh when one of the E-Bikes batteries died! Ahh, technology.

The picturesque Point Cabrillo Light Station.

A landscape photographers dream subject!

Susan enjoyed the views at Point Arena.

When visiting the North Coast, it is easy to cut over from Highway 101 to Highway 1 in several places, such as the Highway 116 west exit toward Sebastopol to get to Bodega Bay and Highway 128 to Point Arena and Mendocino. Or you can take Highway 1 all the way up or down the North Coast. Whiskey is optional!

Our RV adventures started in 1999 with a 32-foot Class A gas motorhome, then in 2000, a 39-foot Class A diesel pusher. The diesel pusher was with us for 18 years, ordered exactly as we wanted (well, the way I wanted). It was to be “our last motorhome.” Uh-huh. Our dogs and their owners were very attached to this coach, and it drove very smoothly except on rough roads where everything rattled and squeaked. It carried 100 gallons of fuel (I could only seem to get 80 gallons into it). Traveling down the road at any speed, uphill or down, towing or not, fuel consumption always worked out to 7 miles per gallon. The cavernous underbelly could hold so much stuff. So much stuff, in fact, that we forgot was even there many years later. No matter; it came along for the ride!

Not exactly the picture of spry and nimble!

Over time, we began to notice something. We were limited to mostly commercial RV parks, truck stops for fuel, and the need to really plan our trip routes. So many county, state, and national parks were off-limits due to length. I began to think, hmmm, if only that bedroom in the back could be chopped off as it didn’t get used for that many hours in a day. That would make a big difference in length, maybe 9 feet or so! However, this wasn’t really a viable option because the back end would be pretty drafty without the bedroom. Besides, even 30 feet was too long for many parks.

After 18 years of owning a diesel pusher, I had grown weary of trying to maneuver in tight spaces, with the complexity and high cost of maintenance of a heavy-duty diesel drivetrain and chassis, the difficulty in finding a storage facility, the big task of washing it on the outside and cleaning it on the inside. The prospect of a van-based motorhome was attractive. It would be easy to drive and lower maintenance costs, store it at home, and, of course, have the flexibility to go to many more parks. Parks that were within beautiful natural settings.

Then, in 2018, I saw an LTV Unity on the internet. It was a Murphy Bed floorplan. This was a 25-foot motorhome with a spacious living area that transformed from sofa to dinette to big bed. As a bonus, the bathroom was bigger than the one in our diesel pusher! We also looked at the other Unity and Wonder floorplans. They all had great features and variations while still fitting into that state park-friendly length!

Here I am contemplating how I possibly could have been able to fit into this National Park in Big Sur with a 39′ pusher. Photo by Susan Regan

I had seen more conventional Class C’s, but they were really more suited for families with young children. They were very tall, sometimes quite long, often plain and, well, a bit boring looking. Coming from a well-equipped diesel pusher, we were looking for certain quality and amenities that weren’t available in many “shoebox” Class C’s. We would lose some livability compared to a 39-foot coach, but we didn’t want to go backward in quality. LTV models seemed to have all the amenities of our pusher in a smaller form factor. Yes, you need to “maneuver” around each other and pets sometimes, but it quickly becomes second nature. I find that my wife giving me an elbow in the ribs when I’m in the way is highly effective.

I am still blown away by how much storage our Unity Murphy Bed provides both inside and outside. It’s really impressive. Some Class C’s seem to have a lot of storage, but you quickly realize that they are limited on how much cargo they can carry due to weight limitations. Our Unity can carry over 1,800 pounds of people and stuff. This compares very favorably to most conventional Class C’s.

We were used to towing a vehicle with our pusher. I was very happy to learn that our Unity could tow 4,000lbs. My Jeep could come with us when needed! Yet, most regular fueling stations were still an option. We get 17 miles per gallon when not towing; even when we do, the fuel mileage is still double that of our pusher. Towing is not much different than with the pusher, except you can feel the tow vehicle’s presence a bit more, and braking feels safe and secure by adding an auxiliary braking system on the Jeep.

Back home after the latest rolling adventure!

While boondocking in a pusher is certainly an option, there are fewer real-world places to do so than with a 25-foot RV. Diesel pushers really aren’t made for exploring dirt roads, especially if there isn’t a big area to turn around! Speaking of which, having to back up a pusher into a campsite is the leading cause of RVing stress amongst couples. Don’t ask me how I know.

List of Pros and Cons for Pushers and LTVs:

Diesel Pusher Pros

• Lots of room, multiple slide-outs, and lengths from 34 feet to 45 feet.
• Lots of storage, a large basement area, and numerous interior cabinets and closets.
• Heavy vehicles yield a smooth ride due to air ride suspension and weight.
• Quiet drive due to engine in the rear.
• Often has a large, residential-style refrigerator.
• You can have a dishwasher, washer, and dryer.
• Can have a bath and a half floorplan.
• Large galley area.
• Large fuel tank and holding tanks.
• Good cargo and people-carrying capacity for most models.

Diesel Pusher Cons

• Expensive to purchase.
• Expensive to maintain.
• Poor fuel economy.
• Difficult to store.
• Difficult to maneuver and park. Hard to sightsee in town with.
• Difficult to fit into normal fueling stations.
• Many parks and campgrounds don’t allow their large sizes.
• Difficult to level.
• It is labor-intensive to wash on the outside and more work to clean the interior.

LTV Pros

• Less expensive to purchase.
• Compact length for ease of maneuverability and flexibility to fit in most parks and campgrounds.
• Easy to drive.
• Less expensive to maintain.
• Lower vertical clearance.
• Less need to tow.
• Easier to level.
• Less complex mechanically and electrically.

LTV Cons

• Less interior space.
• Smaller fuel tank and holding tanks.
• Less sleeping capacity.
• Smaller galley.
• Smaller bathrooms except for floorplans like the Wonder Front Twin Bed, Unity Murphy Bed, and Wonder and Unity Murphy Bed Lounge.
• Less basement storage and interior storage.

I’m sure there are a few I’ve left out, but after living with a 39-foot pusher for 18 years, we really don’t miss very much about it. Our Unity does what we need it to do comfortably and more efficiently. The freedom to be able to fit into amazing parks and campgrounds that were previously off-limits is as wonderful as we had hoped. The LTV is simpler to maintain and operate, and we love storing it at home. The big improvement in fuel mileage is more welcome than ever, along with less costly chassis/drivetrain maintenance. All in all, our Unity has delivered on every level we had hoped for. Maybe this will truly be our last motorhome! Uh-huh.

The right-angle entrance into this small Paso Robles winery would have been very difficult to maneuver in the pusher.

Editor’s Note: Jeff  Regan is a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

Half Moon Bay State Beach in Northern California has been our “home park” for over 20 years. It is only 17 miles from our previous abode on the San Francisco Bay Area Peninsula. Because we lived so close by, our regular trips here hooked us on RVing and were a big reason why we decided to make the move to the Coast in 2019 and the fact it’s like Disneyland for landscape and wildlife photographers.

HMB State Beach has four beautiful beaches, including Francis Beach, which is where we camp. It is also the only RV-friendly State Park campground on the San Mateo County Coast (or San Francisco County, for that matter). What makes RVing here so appealing is the three miles of pristine beaches and bluffs, the seven-mile Coastal Trail, close proximity to quaint Main Street (shopping and dining), and the iconic Pillar Point Harbor.

The RV sites are near the ocean and the beach is popular with surfers. If we reserve early enough through Reserve California, we opt for an ocean view site which is $50 per night and includes 30amp power. Whales are known to swim near the beach while migrating, and there is a protected Snowy Plover nesting area as well. The mostly paved Coastal Trail is perfect for walking, running, and biking. Horseback riding on the beach is even an option. There truly is something for everyone!

Francis State Beach

Our dogs were always happiest when at this place, not to mention their owners. Originally, the park had no power hookups, and our previous motorhome had no solar, so it required us to use our very loud Powertech 7Kw diesel generator for an hour in the morning and evening. It was much like a DC-3 airplane starting up and taxiing to the runway. One night, a couple of campers in an RV that had no generator came to our door to ask if I needed a tool to fix our generator, and I said something about “speaking of tools!” About half the sites now have power hookups, and even without the solar panels on our Unity mean, our generator doesn’t get much use. The air conditioner is rarely needed due to year-round cool temperatures in the 50s and 60s.

Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is only 25 miles (40km) south of San Francisco, so it makes a good jumping-off location to see the city and many other coastal sites via nearby Highway One. This crescent-shaped bay was founded in the 1840s as its first name San Benito, later becoming known as Spanishtown, and finally, in 1874, it got the name Half Moon Bay. Many of its non-native early inhabitants were Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian. This bay is known for its pumpkin festival, featuring record-breaking gourds of 2,000 pounds or more, and the Mavericks big-wave surf contest. A few miles southeast is the beautiful Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve on the slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Historic Main Street features inns, restaurants, shops, art galleries, wine tasting, and bakeries–all with a nod to the cultural diversity and history of the small town.

Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve

Higgins Canyon Rd, view on the way to Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve

Pillar Point Harbor

The nearby Pillar Point Harbor is picturesque with restaurants and shops, as well as kayak and surfboard rentals. You can even buy fish and crab directly from the fishing boats!

Originally inhabited by the Ohlone Indians, the arrival of Spanish colonizers vastly changed their lives, starting when the Portola expedition camped nearby in 1769. By the early 19th century, Russian fur trappers came to the area. A deep-water landing at Pillar point was a port for lumber and produce destined for San Francisco. By 1944, Romeo Pier was constructed to supply sardines and salmon to the Romeo Fish Market in San Francisco. The “Charlie the Tuna” cartoon character seen on StarKist TV commercials originally came from Romeo Pier, when owner Joe Romeo branded cans of his seafood with a cartoon fish wearing glasses and named it after Charlie, his son. The 1961 catchphrase “Sorry Charlie” came after the fishing side of the business was sold to StarKist Tuna. Romeo Pier was demolished in 2018 due to its unsafe condition, but the Johnson Pier is still a working pier, bustling with activity during crab season.

Pillar Point Harbor

Romeo Pier 2017, demolished in 2018.

Mavericks Big-Wave Surf Contest

At the west end of the harbor is Mavericks Beach, famous for its Titans of Mavericks big-wave surf contest, attracting top surfers from around the world. Waves as high as 60 feet (18M) have been documented! The surf is actually a half-mile offshore, caused by an unusually shaped underwater rock formation that was discovered by Half Moon Bay local Jeff Clark, who became the first documented surfer to tackle Mavericks in 1975 at age 17. He was able to keep the existence of big waves in California a secret until 1990. Sadly, notable Hawaiian big-wave rider Mark Foo lost his life there in 1994.

Moss Beach Distillery

There is a restaurant in Moss Beach (where we now live) called the Moss Beach Distillery. Just six miles north of Half Moon Bay, located on a cliff that overlooks the ocean and comes with a very colorful history dating back to Prohibition. It was established in 1927 as a speakeasy called Frank’s Place and converted into a restaurant in 1933. Illegal whisky from Canada was brought from ships to the beach and into vehicles and the speakeasy. Such luminaries as Fatty Arbuckle, author Dashiell Hammett, and San Francisco politicians frequented the place. The Moss Beach Distillery is even more well known for its resident ghost, the Blue Lady, who supposedly still haunts the premises, and the often foggy nights further the scary mood. We have yet to see the Blue Lady, but my wife declines to use the ladies’ room at night to avoid any sightings, just in case. The dog-friendly patio has fire pits, along with a dramatic view, especially at sunset.

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

Also in Moss Beach is Seal Cove, part of the JV Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, featuring tide pool habitat, marsh, erosive bluffs, clifftop trail, and cypress and eucalyptus grove. The Ocean Shore Railroad opened in 1905 and extended through the town of Moss Beach, making the reserve location a tourist destination and is now managed by San Mateo County Parks. In 1969, the site was officially designated as a state reserve. It has long been prized as one of the best tide pool habitats in California. Fitzgerald is also home to harbor seals year-round. I can watch the fog roll in from my loft at home a 1/2 mile away, and I love photographing this place as often as possible.

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Cypress grove

Seal Cove tide pools

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

The Pigeon Point Light Station in Pescadero is 22 miles to the south and was built in 1871. This is the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States at 115 feet and is also a California State Park and hostel. This lighthouse currently has its original first-order Fresnel lens on display in the adjacent museum. The lens stands 16 feet tall, 6 feet in diameter, and is comprised of 1,008 prisms and will hopefully be reinstalled in the lighthouse tower as part of its multi-million dollar restoration scheduled for some time this year.

There are always photographers here at all hours of the day and night–I know because I’ve shot sunrises, sunsets, and the Milky Way at this spot more than a few times.

Pigeon Point Light Station

Pigeon Point Light Station with the Milky Way

Golfing

Golfers can enjoy the scenic Half Moon Bay Golf Links, next to the Ritz Carlton hotel, as well as Sharp Park Golf Course in Pacifica. The Sharp Park course opened in 1932 and was designed by Alister MacKenzie, an architect of Augusta National, home of the Masters. Both courses offer beautiful, expansive views of the ocean and bluffs and the challenge of frequent fog and wind, but the little worry of hot temperatures!

Pacifica Pier

The picturesque 1,140 feet long Pacifica Municipal Pier is close to Sharp Park Golf Course and one of the best fishing piers in the state, where salmon and striped bass can be caught, as well as crab. No admission charge or fishing license is needed. The L-shaped pier was built in 1973 and is a dramatic spot to watch the sunset and high surf conditions. Pacifica is about 16 miles from the campground. It boasts of having the most beautiful Taco Bell right on the beach. There’s plenty of parking should you get a Chalupa craving.

Pacifica Municipal Pier

If it weren’t for RVing, we would not have been able to spend so much time getting to know and taking pictures of this coastal area. A few months ago, we were walking the Coastal Trail around noon with our puppy and saw that there was a vacancy at the campground. We quickly went home and prepped our Unity for the very short trip and were back at the Rangers kiosk by 2 pm. Yes, we camped a whole 7 miles (11km) from home! Hopefully, I have been able to relay some of the beauty and interest of the area and why we were compelled to camp here year after year.

Montara State Beach, 2 miles north of Moss Beach

Susan with LilyBear and Spot on the Coastal Trail circa 2012.

As long-time RV owners, my wife Susan and I often heard this comment from non-RVers: “You could stay in a lot of nice hotels for the cost of that motorhome.” Yes, while that’s true, we’d be staying in a hotel most likely not within a nature preserve. A hotel where our pets may not be welcomed, where rooms are not always equipped with full kitchens, and most of all; it’s where many people have stayed before us. Plus, we would still have to drive or fly, rent a car if the latter, sometimes pay to park and be around way more people (not that we’re anti-social)! The RV lifestyle for us makes traveling our way affordable and comfortable. We get to travel with our somewhat spoiled pets and sleep soundly in our own bed.

Anchor Bay RV Park, Gualala, California

How it Started

Our RV journey started in 1999. I needed to tow my race car/trailer to various track events in California or more specifically to the infamous Virginia City Hill Climb in Nevada that the car club we belonged to organized annually. The Hill Climb allowed car enthusiasts to drive as fast as possible up a dangerous, winding road with the sheriff’s blessing.

First ever track event, Buttonwillow, California. Convertible traded for another car with a roof and roll cage.

Our first RV was a gas-powered 32′ Class A motorhome. It was a bit slow up the steep mountain grades driving to Nevada, so we decided to test drive a diesel pusher. Susan felt much safer in it and I had 1,050 ft. lbs. of torque to get up Donner Pass. So, 8 months after buying the first RV, we traded for a new 39′ diesel pusher. With the trailer in tow, the rig was a daunting 65′ long! I often traveled with my nephew/unpaid crew chief to the track events. He could sleep on the RV sofa bed for free, so who needs a hotel?

65′ means having to plan ahead! Thunderhill Raceway, California.

By 2002, much to Susan’s relief, I sold the race car and trailer but kept the diesel pusher. RVing was now in our bloodstream. In our motorhome, we felt we were in a different world even if not far from home. Once again, non-RVers could not understand why we sold our race car and kept the RV (our dogs understood and approved). The RV lifestyle is hard to explain as it is more a feeling–a sense of freedom and wonder. We enjoy the open road and passing by as many hotels as possible.

Susan and I have traveled extensively abroad staying in many lovely hotels. However, nothing beats traveling in a self-contained home on wheels! We are looking forward to exploring more of these United States now that Susan is fully retired and I’m semi-retired. Ironically, we have visited more countries than U.S. states. Our home base is the small, coastal town of Moss Beach, California. Prior to moving to Moss Beach, we spent 18 years going “over the hill” (not a metaphor) often to stay at the Half Moon Bay State Beach in our RV. It was a 30-minute drive from our previous home and where we enjoyed spectacular ocean views for less than $50 per night. Those views motivated our move to the coast as I particularly enjoy shooting dramatic seascapes and sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.

Moss Beach, California

Half Moon Bay, California

Pre-semi-retirement, I was a video director of photography and owned my own camera rental facility. Sometimes I would combine RVing with business shoots to make marketing videos for clients. A memorable shoot was documenting a land speed record attempt at the Utah Salt Flats. Talk about other-worldly. Having a motorhome to stay in near the salt flats was the envy of the crew staying at the not-so-nice nearest hotel. As for Susan, she worked in high-tech marketing for 20 years. We couldn’t take as much time off as truly needed, but our RV provided regular respites from the stress of endless deadlines. Though she could work remotely, my business renting camera equipment meant being at the shop or on location for my clients. So, our two or three-day RV trips often on a whim kept us recharged and somewhat sane.

Shooting a vintage race car for TV broadcast by a large automobile auction company.

A New Focus

After a trip to the Galapagos Islands in 2013, I rekindled my love for still photography. I enjoy photographing wildlife and landscapes as a hobby. The limitation of a 39′ motorhome is the inability to stay at many County, State, and National Parks due to length restrictions. We bought our Unity Murphy Bed in 2018 to get into more parks as we prefer being as close to nature as possible.

The day we bought our 3rd motorhome. Always memorable, even with my eyes closed!

We looked at Class B vans which felt too cramped for us and our dogs. The Unity’s perfect size and brilliant use of space afford us the interior livability we want with better exterior storage and a spacious dry bath. Without these LTV amenities, Susan would have vetoed trading in the pusher. Often we tow a two-door Jeep Wrangler, but sometimes we just take our bikes, and other times not. It’s so easy to just get up and go in our Unity named “ChowBella” after our female Chow Chows. We also love our Maltipoos. All great RVers.

Salt Point State Park, Sonoma County, California. Susan and LilyBear.

Even more memorable than the places we’ve explored are the RVers we’ve met along the way. Some are characters with travel stories to tell. The people connections and the freedom are the driving forces behind our LTV lifestyle. We love traveling in our Unity which provides style and comfort and allows us to meet up with other RV enthusiasts, all while not having to tip a bellman!

Favorite RV Travel Destinations

Paso Robles, California

Four Lanterns Winery

We’ve been visiting Paso Robles since there were around 50 wineries, now there are 300. This means we have to step up our pace for staying at Harvest Host wineries. Wine tasting, going on tours, and trying new restaurants on the square are all part of the fun. It’s been great seeing this beautiful area gain a world-class reputation in the wine world. We love visiting in our Unity and staying in the vineyard!

Big Sur, California

McWay Falls

The entire California coast is picturesque, but Big Sur is special. It’s so green with majestic Redwoods and the ocean coves have a turquoise color. There is art, good food, hiking, waterfalls, and beaches. Close to Carmel, but seemingly a different world. We honeymooned here in 1996 and have been coming back ever since!

Editor’s Note: Jeff Regan is a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

Point Reyes National Seashore is a National Park in Marin County, California, a 71,000-acre nature preserve on a Peninsula set aside by President John F. Kennedy, where Elk roam and Peregrine Falcons soar. To get there from the south, you could cross the Golden Gate Bridge and cut over to Highway One through Stinson Beach. It’s a beautiful, breathtaking drive, but not recommended! I know because Susan suggested we go home that way. The crazy tight cliff curves are as gnarly as anything to be found elsewhere on Highway One. Instead, it is best to stay on the 101 and cut over at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Greenbrae to get to Highway One.

Originally inhabited by Coast Miwok Indians, Sir Francis Drake discovered this area in the late 1500s. Centuries later it hasn’t changed all that much. Picturesque cliffs and beaches, sweeping vistas, teeming with wildlife. Just before the small town called Point Reyes Station, is the Bear Valley Visitor Center, which was impressive and has some good hiking trails around it, plus a huge meadow. Inside the visitor center is a taxidermist’s dream with scores of various local animal and bird species stuffed and posed in representations of their habitats.

Photo by Susan Regan

To get to the newly restored Point Reyes Lighthouse, you drive through Inverness, along Tomales Bay which is well-known for its fresh oysters. Behind a hardware store is a famous shipwreck that is often seen on Instagram called the S.S. Point Reyes which is a steamship that crashed on a sand bar over 100 years ago. Possibly the most photographed abandoned boat in our hemisphere! The road to the lighthouse is pretty isolated and depending on the time of day, you will see many deer crossing the road as well as some cattle. Elk and coyotes can be seen as well. The 1870 light station features 300 steps down to the 35′ lighthouse, which is 294 feet above sea level–the windiest and foggiest on the Pacific Coast–it is a twin of Cape Mendocino Light. The lighthouse was used as a location for the 1980 John Carpenter film “The Fog”.  I think this could explain why we never saw the sun on our visit. Thankfully, we experienced little fog in the town of Point Reyes Station, Inverness, and at the Olema Campground where we stayed. Across from us at the campground was a newer Unity, but they weren’t there in the evening and left the next morning. There was also another Unity at the visitors center the following day. At this point, I have to admit that we never actually found the town of Olema, but I’m sure it’s nice.

The S.S. Point Reyes barely looks its age! A coat of paint would do wonders!

Point Reyes Lighthouse, restored in 2019, including Fresnel lens.

Olema Campground. That’s a good-looking motorhome in the background!

Olema Campground is a large property that is located close to the National Park. Photo by Susan Regan

There is the Tule Elk Reserve. Didn’t find it either. There are a couple of places such as Alamere Falls, a waterfall that falls right onto the beach from a bluff, and Tomales Point, which has a description of  “Elk, hiking, and Great White Shark”. These places are only accessible via 8 and 9.5-mile hikes, respectively. No, we didn’t find them, had no intention of doing the hikes. I’m sure they’re nice. We did, however, walk the entire 1.75-mile Chimney Rock Trail, offering views of Drakes Bay and the Pacific Ocean and is renowned for spring wildflowers. The historic Point Reyes Lifeboat Station, in service from 1927-1968 can be seen from the trail. There were many deer and an incredible Peregrine Falcon perched on a bluff. I cleverly had the wrong lens to capture a close-up photo of this magnificent bird.

A 24-70mm lens is inadequate for bird photography, even after cropping.

Historic Point Reyes Lifeboat Station

Enough about wildlife! Let’s talk restaurants and cheese! We had lunch at a wonderful place in Inverness called Saltwater Oyster Depot that had delicious small plates with oysters and differing preparations of red wine and sparkling wine flights. My wife thought the prices were so reasonable, she practically ordered the entire lunch menu. There was a very lovely picnic area next to the parking area, but we found this after eating inside the restaurant. The town of Point Reyes Station, population 350, has nice restaurants, including the Road House on the way to town, which features some Latin American and beef dishes sourced from the cattle ranches on the Point Reyes Peninsula. Although Susan enjoyed the veggie burger that tasted and looked like real beef she had to double-check with the waiter to make sure.

The town has some boutiques, a bakery, hotel and saloon, a library, a gas station, and an amazing cheese store, known as Cowgirl Creamery, named for the two female founders. I intended to find out if they offered elk cheese as I had read about moose cheese from Sweden. As with many places, like the lighthouse, it was closed during the week except on Friday due to being the off-season. Our RV trip ended on Friday morning but we made sure we hit up Cowgirl Creamery before leaving, as neighbors from home had specific Cowgirl cheese orders (but no elk cheese). These neighbors are really into cheese. My appreciation of cheese stems from it being a good excuse to drink wine.

Could any of these be Elk Cheese?

The Cypress Tree Tunnel in Inverness, found along the way to the lighthouse, is also a very well photographed spot. Having a beautiful and somewhat well-known grove of Cypress trees on a bluff that is visible from my loft at home, I am not one to be easily impressed, yet I was this time! The driveway through the Monterey Cypress trees leads to an old building housing the Point Reyes National Seashore North District Operations Center and KPH RCA Radio Station, the latter being the home of the Maritime Radio Historical Society, formed on July 12, 1999, the date of the supposed last commercial Morse code transmission in the U.S. This is how messages were relayed to sailors at sea before satellite communication. Limited public visits are allowed at this restored receive site and you’ll need to thread your way through photographers on the way into the building.

That’s fancy driveway landscaping!

There are several beaches on the Point Reyes National Seashore. Another well-known photo location is a shot of the very long Point Reyes Beach from the bluff near the lighthouse. It’s so long that it is called Point Reyes Beach North and South with separate entrances. Limantour Road leads to Drakes Bay, Drakes Beach with its Kenneth C. Patrick visitor center, and Limantour Beach, another unspoiled beach that goes on for miles.

Susan and I had only been to Point Reyes once before, for a day, about 20 years earlier with a car club. Now, I have to admit that we wanted a quick get away from our foggy coastal area, we might have thought upon arrival, as to why we just traveled to another foggy coastal area? Those thoughts soon disappeared after spending time in this uniquely beautiful and captivating National Park. Quiet and uncrowded during the fall and winter months except for the crowds of deer which were seemingly everywhere. If you happen to be in the California North Coast area, Point Reyes is highly recommended, even if there is no elk cheese to be found!

This article outlines a modification completed by an LTV owner and has not been officially endorsed or reviewed by Triple E Recreational Vehicles. Please do your own research and consult your chassis manufacturer before attempting any modifications. Triple E Recreational Vehicles is not able to provide any support for this modification. Modifications may void warranties if applicable.

My wife said as we were driving to a State Park in our Unity, “Wasn’t that the entrance you just drove past?” I responded, “What?” That’s when I knew I should look into additional soundproofing for our Unity cab area. Sure, I still miss turns and entrances, but at least I am able to hear my wife point it out to me as we whoosh by! With that in mind, I went to where all savvy RVers go for information – YouTube! Before I get too far, you may be shocked by this, but I’m not a master RV tech or even a scientist, but as I often say, “what could go wrong?”

YouTube has many videos about soundproofing cars and vans, including Sprinters, and I even found a wonderful, comprehensive how-to video “2016 MB 3500 Sprinter Cab Sound Dampening (LTV RV)” from fellow Unity owner Jeff Schoenbauer, from who I completely stole my list of materials. A video specifically on “How to remove the door panels on a Sprinter” by EXPLORIST life-DIY Campers was highly useful as well. As I went deeper down this rabbit hole, it became clear that I needed to upgrade the door speakers. Duh! So, the plan was beginning to coagulate: I would add sound dampening materials to the two cab doors and the floor. The bonus is fancy new speakers. So this blog is to bring together video tutorial links and types of materials and tools needed. Please utilize these videos if you intend to do these projects, they are essential and strongly recommended.

I ordered the following materials (Amazon and eBay links):

• 2 – Roadkill or Kilmat boxes, these are silver on one side and an adhesive butyl base material on the other. I bought the 50 mil version, used on the floor and doors.
• 1 – Soundskins Pro door kit, also for doors.
• 1 – Boom Mat for the floor.
• 1 – Trim toolset for door panel removal.
• 1 – 2-piece metal roller kit to apply the Kilmat pieces.
• 1 – Tube of 3M weather-strip adhesive to use for reinstalling the moisture barriers on the doors.

The total cost of these items in 2021 was around $300.

RoadKill or KilMat (either is good), Sound Skins Pro roll, Boom Mat.

With the materials in hand, I went about taking off the door panels using the trim tools.

“How to remove the door panel from a sprinter” by EXPLORIST life-DIY Campers on YouTube.

Also, be sure to carefully pull off the vapor barrier with a razor blade.

Inner door skin without a vapor barrier. Note: Mercedes does have some vibration dampening material in key areas.

After cleaning the inside of the door skins with alcohol, I began applying the Kilmat. Use caution as there is sharp metal in these doors and wear gloves. Small hands and thin arms are helpful to get into the tight recesses of the door skin. I applied enough to cover the entire door skin, cutting to size for curves and door handles.

Kilmat attached to inner door skin everywhere possible.

I then added the Soundskins Pro material, which is thicker and denser than Kilmat, making it harder to install on non-flat surfaces, so I cut it to fit into the biggest open areas of the door skin, going as low in the door as possible. It’s important to make sure none of these materials obstruct the windows from lowering.

Kilmat with Soundskins Pro on top in large flat areas.

In the back of the plastic door panels, I added a few more pieces of Kilmat mainly to reduce vibration from the upgraded speakers.

The inner side of the door panel with a bit of Kilmat added. Make sure to align green connectors when reinstalling.

Reapply vapor barriers using 3M weather-strip adhesive on the edges where necessary. Reinstall door panels. If you are upgrading speakers, don’t do this yet!

If you’ve gotten this far, congratulations! What is probably a 3-hour job for a pro, only took me 3 days! Now it’s time for the cab floor. Remove the factory rubber mats which are held in place at the door entries by trim pieces and screws.

Clean the floor with alcohol, apply Kilmat, but make sure to leave access covers so the battery compartment is accessible.

Kilmat on floor. Notice how the material is separated so the battery compartment can be taken off as normal.

Then, use large pieces of cardboard to make a template for the BoomMat, which will sit on top of the Kilmat. Cut the BoomMat to fit the template and install. The passenger side factory floor mat can be removed from the cab and used as a template. I could not remove the driver-side factory mat completely.

Boom Mat laid on top of Kilmat and below factory rubber mat.

What’s that, you want to upgrade speakers too? Watch “Mercedes Sprinter speaker upgrade video” by ourkaravan. In order to use the original door mounting hole, you need to order spacers (2018 and up) from eBay to fit larger speaker magnets. The speakers that many people have used are Hertz MPX 165.3 Pro 6.5″ 2-way car speakers. These are in the $400 range. When I see “Pro” in the name, I automatically think the product was made especially for me! Some people opt for speakers with separate tweeters (like in the video), but this requires replacing the dash tweeters, installing a crossover in the door, new speaker cables between the crossover and the tweeters, and fishing the cables from the door to the dash; that is above my pay grade.

‘Mercedes Sprinter speaker upgrade video’ by ourkaravan on YouTube.

Next step is to remove the stock, wimpy door speakers. Make note of the color coding for positive and negative cables then cut off the factory connector ends. You will need to extend the factory speaker cables by a couple of feet and crimp them together as well as crimp on some spade lugs to attach to the speaker connectors. Install the spacers and then the new speakers. Make sure you test them before reattaching vapor barriers and installing door panels.

I also disconnected the dash center speaker because it had a negative effect on sound quality in my opinion.

You will probably notice that the doors feel heavier when opening and closing as well as shut with a thud. This is more akin to a Mercedes S-Class sound instead of a hollow van door. Note, I did not do a sound level measurement before and after the installation, but my wife and I definitely believe it is quieter in the cab from the standpoint of road noise and we find that it is easier to converse in normal tones. This doesn’t have much effect on the engine noise, but the Mercedes diesel engine is pretty quiet for a diesel. I also added some Kilmat to the fold-down compartment doors at the bottom of the panels. Boom Mat could also be used. If you end up with extra Kilmat, the generator compartment could be a place to strategically add more.

From a speaker upgrade sound quality standpoint, I don’t hear much difference in the bottom end however, there is a more detailed and articulate sound in the mids and highs. This sound dampening material probably added about 40 pounds. Ultimately, I believe the sound dampening and speaker upgrade make for a less fatiguing driving experience, especially over some not-so-pristine California highways. Above all, “what did you say?” is no longer par for the course or rather drive!

Editor’s Note: Jeff Regan is a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

Editor’s Note: Jeff Regan is a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

I recently read John Steinbeck’s story “Travels with Charley”, about his 10,000 mile RV trip across the US. The 1960 road trip featured the author, his Standard Poodle Charley, and a GMC pickup with a Michigan-built Wolverine slide-in camper.

National Steinbeck Center, Salinas, California

John Steinbeck felt the need to reconnect with the country he had been writing about for decades. What was most striking for him was the look of wanderlust in people’s eyes at every stop he made, young, old, and in-between. They all liked the idea of freedom that RV travel promised on the US roads, wanted to tour his RV, and some desired to jump in and go with him!

I can’t help but think that we LTVers feel exactly the same way at the prospect of hitting the highways and backroads of North America. Even though it’s been 60 years since the book was published, we haven’t changed in our yearning to travel via RV, and with our pets. Indeed, the author often allowed us to see the country through Charley’s eyes, much like we show our pets new places to take in the experiences with us. Charley was very good at making introductions with strangers, allowing Steinbeck to learn more about Americans. Our Multi-Poo, BoBear is also very good at making introductions with strangers, usually by barking at them.

Author Jeff Regan(Steinbeck wannabe)

I was so enamored by the book(hadn’t read Steinbeck since school), that I wanted to visit the National Steinbeck Center in downtown Salinas, California. We stayed at an RV resort in the Salinas Valley putting us 34 miles away from the museum and 10 miles from Santa Lucia Highlands, a wine region known for its Pinot Noirs.

Yanks RV Resort, Greenfield, California

Here we were in the heart of Steinbeck country and seeing just how important this agricultural area is–providing the majority of lettuce, tomatoes, and strawberries to the entire country. The commercial farming sector of the Dust Bowl era forms the backdrop of several Steinbeck books including East of Eden and Of Mice and Men.

Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County

The highlight for me was seeing Steinbeck’s RV “Rocinante”, named after Don Quixote’s horse, in the museum. While not quite as comfortable or feature-packed as our LTV’s, it served him well, although he admitted more than once, that he brought along way too much stuff! Some things don’t change.

“Rocinante”, 1960 GMC pickup with Wolverine slide-in camper shell.

BoBear loves his Unity!

Editor’s Note: Jeff Regan is a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.

Way back in 1996, Susan and I honeymooned in ruggedly, beautiful Big Sur, which is how I see myself in my mind’s eye. I vividly recall blasting down California Highway One in our Italian convertible sports car, enjoying the curves, the wind in my then-flowing hair, and the sound of the high-revving engine at speed. All was right in the world until we got stuck behind a slow-moving RV. I was admittedly a bit peeved, while my lovely bride found it amusing. I snapped a photo of the lumbering RV impeding our progress. Little did I know then that an RV, three, in fact, would be in our future and I would be the impeder, but I digress.

The Honeymooners headed to Big Sur, January, 1996. Yes, I know it says “California ’95”.

The drive was going swimmingly until we met up with this motorhome!

As newlyweds, Big Sur was our first adventure and most enduring. This place captured our hearts, imagination, and wanderlust. And so we return year after year to relax, reconnect with nature, each other, our doggies, and the mystical allure of Big Sur. This is the place where time seems to stand still, it is a haven for those who long for simplicity rooted in nature and where creativity and a sense of community abounds. Here, nature seems a bit more vibrant and sublime. As a landscape photographer, Big Sur is my nirvana. It is a humbling experience trying to capture its stunning beauty for brief moments in time.

Although Big Sur seems a remote retreat, it is just a bit south of Carmel (Monterey Peninsula) which is an easy and scenic drive down Highway One for us. I would not advise taking this scenic route even in an LTV coming up from the south (San Simeon/Hearst Castle) as it gets very narrow, hilly, and winding in some parts. Actual fist-bumping other drivers going the opposite direction is possible on the super narrow parts, but not recommended. Our favorite times of the year to visit Big Sur is November through April, as there are fewer crowds and that’s when the hills are lush green and when the wildflowers are in bloom. The Pacific Ocean in this area contains the most vivid turquoise, blue water we’ve ever seen. And thanks to the stewardship of many nonprofits, such as Big Sur Land Trust dedicated to preservation, the waters and land of Big Sur will remain unspoiled for generations to come.

Our base camp of choice is Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park surrounded by 2,000-year-old redwood trees and miles of hilly trails to explore that provide spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Big Sur Valley. Hikers come from all over and some call it a “mini Yosemite.” Many of the RV sites are next to the Big Sur River. The 169-site campground is on the east side of Highway One and is very quiet and secluded. Cell service and wifi signals are weak, but better at the restaurant and gift shop near the entrance or towards the backend of the park. The sites are $35 per night, with no hookups, while premium sites near the river at $50. There are a few private campgrounds nearby that do offer some hookups, such as Fernwood Campground & Resort, Riverside Campground and Cabins, and Big Sur Campground & Cabins.

Points of Interest

Point Sur State Historic Park with its lighthouse that stands high atop a volcanic rock. It was a cold war era Naval facility with a top-secret mission that is currently undergoing restoration. Guided tours are available.

Garrapata State Park has an easy-to-walk, well-maintained trail on a bluff above the ocean. We are often the only ones on the trails. The beauty of winter travel. During February, hundreds of white calla lilies bloom along a small creek that runs off into the Pacific.

Bixby Bridge built in 1932. This is a favorite of photographers from all over the world. It is one of the highest bridges of its kind at 260 feet above a steep canyon. You can actually walk across the bridge as well as sit on the bridge in both directions, which I’ve never done as you never know when a rental RV might be driving across!

Nepenthe provides dining on their large terrace with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. This restaurant/bar is well known for their ground steak sandwich (Ambrosia burger) on a French roll with their famous Ambrosia Sauce. Nepenthe was the social hub for artists, actors, and writers such as Henry Miller, Ernest Hemingway, and Hunter S. Thompson during Big Sur’s golden era. Bohemians love this place and so do we. Parking is tight, so hope you have a tow vehicle to get in. The view is worth the wait.

Pfeiffer State Beach is another photographer’s portfolio shot with its famous rock and keyhole arch. Every December/January, the sunset aligns with the keyhole causing a beautiful golden glow to shine through a doorway carved into a massive rock. I would include a picture of that phenomenon, but typically dozens of photographers are vying for the same shot at the same time. Better to have a glass of wine or two on the world-famous Nepenthe deck. The unmarked two-mile-long Sycamore Canyon road is paved, but twisty and narrow so RV’s are not allowed.

McWay Falls is an 80 ft waterfall plunging onto the pristine beach cove below which is off-limits to humans. A win for mother nature. The view from the vantage points above is breathtaking enough. Parking is available at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park entrance.

Now, there are some great hotels in Big Sur that basically stretch from Carmel to San Simeon, such as the Post Ranch Inn with winter rates ranging from $1,650 to $2,250 per night and no pets allowed! However, we are rather fond of staying in our cozy Unity, peacefully parked amongst redwood trees with the soothing sound of a flowing river. I’m pretty sure our dogs would concur—for they are our most important take along on our LTV journeys. Big Sur will continue to beckon us back annually and hope you are inspired to visit this magnificent part of the California Coastline soon. A photographer’s dream.

LilyBear, April, 2021

Back in 2010 my wife and I stayed at our first Harvest Host winery in Paso Robles, California, with our 39′ diesel pusher. We loved the experience. Our winemaker host — also an RVer — insisted we stay a second night to attend his New Year’s Eve party, hosting other winemakers. Suddenly, we needed suitable evening attire and headed to the nearest thrift store, which saved the day. From that first visit, we were hooked on Harvest Hosts.

Four Lanterns Winery, Paso Robles

We traded in the 39 footer for our 2018 LTV Unity MB, and found ourselves staying at Harvest Host wineries more than ever. The smaller size of our Unity makes the visits, often via twisty backroads, much easier for these one-night stays.

Four Sisters Ranch Vineyards & Winery, San Miguel

Hammersky Vineyards, Paso Robles

Many think staying at Harvest Host locations would save costs when traveling, but that’s not been our experience. Instead, we seem to end up buying a case of wine and joining the host’s wine club more often than not! I think our current wine club tally is around 10, but who’s counting? Wish we could stick to the recommended two-bottle purchase.

There’s something unique about arriving in a motorhome and being greeted by the winery owner, often with the winery dog, not necessarily in that order. As overnight guests, we find that we learn more about our hosts and their passion for winemaking and them about us and our dogs. We leave the next morning with a sense of place and desire to come back.

Grosso Kresser Vineyards, Paso Robles

Bon Niche Cellars, San Miguel

Camping in a beautiful vineyard and seeing the sunset and sunrise is often an unforgettable experience. One time, I stepped out of our Unity to walk the dogs at night and saw an amazing line of stars moving quickly from left to right in perfect formation. I told my wife I thought we were being invaded by Martians! Turned out to be about 100 Starlink satellites being deployed, much to my relief.

I hear that Harvest Hosts has other kinds of venues besides wineries, but I’m unable to vouch for that. For now, we will continue to concentrate on staying at beautiful wineries in our Unity, enjoying special wines, and taking pictures. After all, somebody has to do it.

See you at a tasting room, uh, I mean on the road soon…