Organizing a SoCal rally?

[Tuscany Bandit]

Hey Wayne,

There are a number of us in Los Angeles area and San Diego area that would probably be interested in a mini rally.

There is a regional park that is exactly 60 miles between the two cities that has full hookups, a lake, fishing, and at a reasonable cost that would be a great place for a rally.

Check it out...Lake Skinner...just a few miles from Temecula. We have been there many times.
http://www.riversidecountyparks.org/reservations/

Count us in and if you, or any one else, would like help planning such an event (doesn't have to be lake Skinner) maybe we can help?

Any other ideas?

Jerry

[Wavery]

Hey Wayne,

There are a number of us in Los Angeles area and San Diego area that would probably be interested in a mini rally.

There is a regional park that is exactly 60 miles between the two cities that has full hookups, a lake, fishing, and at a reasonable cost that would be a great place for a rally.

Check it out...Lake Skinner...just a few miles from Temecula. We have been there many times.
http://www.riversidecountyparks.org/reservations/

Count us in and if you, or any one else, would like help planning such an event (doesn't have to be lake Skinner) maybe we can help?

Any other ideas?

Jerry

We'd be up for Skinner some time. We have a house in Fallbrook and we've camped at Skinner a few times. It's just sorta dry & dirty.

Have you ever been to Guajome?
http://gocalifornia.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=gocalifornia&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sdcounty.ca.gov%2Fparks%2FCamp ing%2Fguajome.html

Our favorite down that way is Doheny State park
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=645

[Tuscany Bandit]

They both look good to me!

Any one else like to add a comment?

[PopBeavers]

There was a small TM rally recently in NorCal, with 31 TMs as I recall. At least one TM came from San Diego.

[larsdennert]

Was it Shrimp Burrito that joined? I was eyeing the trip but it didn't work for us.

I like the idea of Doheny near the beach! I think there's one or two near San Onofre but I can't seem to find them (or spell it right haha)

Since all of these are through reserveamerica we might need to put this six months down the line. We just missed June dates.

[ShrimpBurrito]

I wanted to go to the rally in Petaluma, but couldn't make it, in part because of the long drive. A SoCal meet would be cool.

If we want to do a beach campground, I think it would be much better to plan for it to be sometime other than in the summer....or even temps warm enough for swimming/sunbathing. Otherwise, the beach campgrounds are a zoo.

The desert is a great time in the winter too....Joshua Tree National Park might be an option. Black Rock campground takes reservations this time of year, but there are no hookups. There is a dump station, however.

Dave

[larsdennert]

Joshua Tree might work. I like Anza Borrego more as a picturesque place. Early spring the wildflowers go into full bloom assuming we get rain. They are accessible by 2wd vehicle

http://www.vimeo.com/821715

We don't take the TM up the canyon though there's an RV park somewhere in town we've not tried. Upper Coyote Canyon requires skilled 4wd driving. There's hiking too so basically something for everyone.

[ShrimpBurrito]

Anza Borrego is a great place too. I haven't been there in several years, and would love to go back. But if there is a consensus that hookups are a must, both Anza Borrego and Joshua Tree are out.

Dave

[PopBeavers]

If the rally were on the north side of SoCal, there is a chance that some TMers from central Cal might be able to make it.

I'm not sure what I mean by the north side of SoCal. But, as an example, Mojave is easier to get to from central CA than Palm Springs or San Diego. We had TMs in Petaluma from Reno, San Diego and Washington, to name a few.

Also, the reason the organizers picked the date they did was because it was off season and cheaper. So consider the end of Spring or beginning of Fall as a way to still have a lot of sun but keep the costs down. We had enough campers that we had exclusive use of the clubhouse for free. We did a pot luck dinner, etc.

[larsdennert]

http://www.springsatborrego.com/ $37/night?

http://www.palmcanyonresort.com/rvpark.htm $32-36

Overview of sorts http://www.socalcamping.com/000Anza/main.html

My thought would be late Feb, early March for a chance at flowers. It's not too hot then either. Usually quite mild.

So this is a possible date and destination... I like the beach too.

[larsdennert]

I didn't see your post Popbeavers...

North of LA is good too. I can think of plenty of adventurous places in the Mojave desert area too. No hookups, no campgrounds, no paved roads for that matter but interesting spots.
http://67.122.16.97/lars/albums/album16/IMG_0006.thumb.jpg
Slot canyons that actually go underground or even Mitchell caverns.

Also more green spots like near Santa Barbara. We just went to Lake Casitas over T-day. I'll post a pic later. Saw one other TM there. Lake Cachuma, San Luis Obispo, Montano De Oro corridor is nice. Or east to Kings Canyon, Sequoia is on our list to take the kids.

[Wavery]

Here's my 2 cents worth. Someone just needs to pick a place and a time and plan it. Those that want to come....come. Those that can't make it.....make it to the next one.

I belong to a camping club (SCCAMPERS) and we do that all the time. We have at least one camp-out a month. Some make it to one a year and some make it to every camp-out.

If you try to find a consensus, you will find it very difficult. We have a saying, "You plan it......they will come".

Here's one for ya........SCCAMPERS are camping at Point Mugu, Thornhill Broome CG on Father's Day Weekend (June 18-21 2009):
http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/Point_Mugu_Sp/r/campsiteSearch.do?site=all&type=9&minimal=no&search=site&criteria=new&contractCode=CA&parkId=120072&search=site


Anyone that would like to join us is welcome. I just checked and there are 36 sites available.

Pt Mugu is right on the beach in Southern Ventura County and we camp there often ($15 per night). It's dry camping (Water and chemical toilets available) There are no assigned sites so it's 1st come, 1st served. There are a lot of us that show up on Wed & Thurs and try to save sites.

So......here's a camp-out that TM Campers will be welcome. We all started out as a Pop-Up camper club. Some have moved on to different rigs but we all still camp together. A lot of real nice families and lots of kids.

If anyone would like more info, feel free to PM me.

If someone else wants to have a rally elsewhere, you can probably count us in....unless we're already camping that weekend.

[larsdennert]

You are so right. I help run two other clubs and it's the same. I'll confer with the DW and see if we come up with something.

Here's a pick of our Lake Casitas weekend.
http://67.122.16.97/lars/albums/trailmanor/IMG_3446.sized.jpg

Haha no one will ever find this discussion in a "generator for sale" thread. I'll post a proper one for the trip.

[jasongold]

Hey Jerry,

I live in the Temecula area (Canyon Lake), and would love to get together for a rally. My wife and I just bought a 2007 TM 2720 - would love to talk shop with other TM owners.

:)

[Bill]

Jason -

If you're the kind of guy who likes to "talk shop", the first thing you should do is become a Sponsor on the board, so you can see and participate in all the technical forums.

Bill

[larsdennert]

I am currently weighing where, and more importantly when, to organize a rally. Between work, family and two other clubs I have to plan out a ways. Some other RV/SCUBA friends have a hidden place near Lee Vining (Mono Lake) that's good too. Can't do that in the winter though. We talked about Anza Borrego in the spring, early March, but looks like that will be a tent trip in the mountains for us according to DW. With all the rain there will be tons of flowers I think.

[Beak12]

Anza Borrego is a great place too. I haven't been there in several years, and would love to go back. But if there is a consensus that hookups are a must, both Anza Borrego and Joshua Tree are out.

Dave


We have camped at the Anza Borrego State park. And there a full hookups. Now how you get a group into a State Park I don' know. I know I have made reservations for 3 familys. But a group of 20+ is a guess.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=638 :new_bdays You make Rerservation Via Reserve America.

[larsdennert]

The wife and I discussed where we might like to go. Our plan is to visit Campland on the Bay in San Diego April 17-19. It's after taxes so I won't be as hectic.

http://www.campland.com/

We have never been. Well not entirely true, I used to live in San Diego and sail on Mission Bay. I'm sorry that this is not central in any way but if people would like to join, I can make a more organized plan.

[Scott O]

Good ideas abound here...we are interested depending on the timing. Hookups are a must for us. Someplace between LA and San Diego would be good if it was a SoCal group; of course anyone would be welcome. There is quite a bit in the Temecula area, Vail Lakes, Skinner, Tucalota, and others. Quite a bit of wine here also!!! We will follow this thread with interest.

[larsdennert]

I called campland and they are still pretty open for the dates April 17-19. From the google earth aerial it appears that sections A-F have lots of trees which I like. The section closer to the beach just looks like a parking lot to me. Prices are in the $40-50/night depending on water/elec or full hookups.

We have a couple of ways to do this. I will be making a reservation by, say, next Friday 1/30/09. I can reserve a group of sites depending on who raises their hand. Each person would call in and pay they're reservation within seven days after that or the reservation would be lost. After that people could call in and reserve their own site and ask for the area we booked. We could all just reserve our own and request an area too.

If someone has camped here, please chime in on your thoughts too. :new_bdays

[Scott O]

We were there for a week last August and have reservations for another week this August. Decent place with lots to do in the San Diego area. Very chaotic and filled with kids...not at all restful for adults. We would not go there except it is a family outing - 4 kids, 4 spouses, 8 grandkids and us. For that kind of party it is perfect. I'm thinking it might be a bit more peaceful outside the summer season...

[larsdennert]

I put in a reservations for us arriving April 17, leaving April 19. It is somewhere in the C section, water electric sites. Should be shady and tree lined. We are arriving Friday. I only got a response from one other TM'er so it looks like it won't be a rally. My Sister-in-Law's family is joining us with their TT too. If anyone changes their mind and wants to join, give www.campland.com a call 858-581-4200 and ask to be placed near Dennert

Lars

[Wavery]

Trust me.....we would go had we not already had other plans. :o

[jasongold]

Lars - what are the other trips camping clubs that you help moderate? I wish we could make the Campland on the Bay weekend - I read about it after we got our reservamerica confirmation for Zion that weekend.

Jason

[larsdennert]

I am the incorporating/founder of a nonprofit dive club www.solesearchersdiveclub.com Our next major trip is to Curacao in May but my dance card is full monthly. For instance the Petaluma rally would be fun but there's a CampNDive to refugio in Oct that I help organize already.

I am the forum admin for a 4wheeling TLC.A club www.goldcoastcruisers.com which is where TLCA originally sprung from. The next trip I'm leading there is Feb 28 and I'm also leading the March trip.

Between that, family and running a business, I'm BUSY. My resources for organizing are a bit stretched. Campland was a diversion to get away but I thought it would be fun to meet some more TM'ers too. Short notice but hey getting out is good.

Hey we are going back to Zion and Moab in Aug. If you are out to other places in the area. Check out Antelope Canyon. Here's a part of last years Moab video. I only posted the Antelope Canyon part. http://www.vimeo.com/1980612 We pulled the TM all over. The 12000ft+ passes were tough!

[jasongold]

Thanks, I'll check out Antelope Canyon. This summer my wife and I are heading back east for two months (we're both teachers) and pulling the TM from Cape Cod down to Virginia Beach - maybe bore the kids to death with Colonial Williamsburg. We were given a 30 day pass to use the Thousand Trails parks after we sat in on a sales pitch, so the cost is low. Have you heard good or bad about them? We're mostly Jedidiah Smith Redwoods and Yosemite campers, but hey, why look a gift horse in the mouth?

Jason

[Beak12]

Thanks, I'll check out Antelope Canyon. This summer my wife and I are heading back east for two months (we're both teachers) and pulling the TM from Cape Cod down to Virginia Beach - maybe bore the kids to death with Colonial Williamsburg. We were given a 30 day pass to use the Thousand Trails parks after we sat in on a sales pitch, so the cost is low. Have you heard good or bad about them? We're mostly Jedidiah Smith Redwoods and Yosemite campers, but hey, why look a gift horse in the mouth?

Jason

We have been member of TTN for over 20 years. But if we camp in one more than 1 week a year I would be surprized. Why we don't sell I don't know. We keep thinking we will use it more. We find that we look for campground or Trailer parks close to big Cities are what we like the best. However when we lived fulltime for 5 years. We did use TTN here in San Diego when we be came home for Doc visits and keeping up with family and friends. :new_bdays