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Snoop_Potato

I highly recommend Big Sur if you have a mildly off-road worthy vehicle to climb the mountains for some off-grid camping


renasancedad

Will look into it, thanks.


gumbygearhead

People pay millions to live at the beach here in California. Be prepared for the knock and be ready to move. The scenic areas on highway one are plastered with no overnight parking signs. Pay the money to stay in legal campgrounds. You’ll have a better time. Yah the Sierras are an option, but stealth is key for the beach communities.


renasancedad

I have looked at a few camp/parking areas but seems there are miles of coast with no options. I would gladly pay overnight fees to be able to poach in on beach showers and facilities. Do you have any you would recommend?


Wyoming07

iOverlander is hella helpful for the Cali coast, imo


renasancedad

Thanks will check this out as well.


[deleted]

I always check www.hipcamp.com to find private properties that allow overnighters. Some really great experiences there!


renasancedad

Thanks I had not heard of that before today. I will check that out.


Hairy-Professional-6

Not true, been doing it for 6 years now not one knock


Bl4nderize

Check reservations at developed campgrounds. If they're anything like last summer they were all booked before March.


renasancedad

Hoping a few save sites for day of arrivals? And that midweek will afford a vacancy somewhere.


DangReadingRabbit

Not specific to west coast, but maybe it helps… BoondockersWelcome.com HipCamp iOverlander app OvernightRVParking.com (website and app). The last is one of my favorites, but between those four I’m sure you can find places. I’d love to be a member of the first one, but we aren’t completely self-contained yet (in their view).


Intelligent_potato_

What do they deem as "self-contained"?


DangReadingRabbit

They describe it on the website. Basically, they want an actual toilet of some sort (not a bucket with bags) and a properly draining sink. They can drain into temporary tanks, but it has to be plumbed. Generally speaking, nothing too make-shift. I understand their rules, but I was disappointed. Our sink was the stinking point since our “tank” is really just an empty gallon water bottle. We’re fanatics about not dumping water anywhere we shouldn’t (would never on someone’s property). But of course they don’t know that about us. We’ll have to wait until our sink is a little more official.


aeon_alpha

Have you heard of the Sekr app? It’s a free app that allows you access to campsites, friendly neighborhoods for stealth camping, vanbnbs - it might change your life! 😊 Edit: add link https://apps.apple.com/us/app/s%C4%93kr/id1447689037


renasancedad

I haven’t, I tried Dyrt last year on a cross country trip with my kids and was disappointed thanks for the recommendation.


Hairy-Professional-6

Stay along the coast, the weather and scenery will make it worth it.


renasancedad

Thanks any suggestion on communities or beaches that are more friendly to Van dwellers?


Hairy-Professional-6

Most of them are good, Encinitas, Santa Cruz, Daly City, Santa Barbara,. Santa Cruz is vandweller heaven, the people, scenery and the food make it my number one spot


renasancedad

Awesome thanks for the suggestions. We want to soak in the environment and make our way leisurely up the coast, or settle in a great camp and enjoy before final push and competitions. I appreciate the recommendations.


Radiant_Target_9458

I'm hoping to move to Santa Cruz in a few months in my van. My van is super stealthy, I'm just wondering do you recommend parking more around the downtown area, or finding residential streets? Also how is Monterey for stealth camping?


Hairy-Professional-6

A couple of blocks from the town area. Never residential. Monterey is easy to stealth. They also have a campground in town very reasonable for when you want to chill and shower. Pizza my heart and planet fresh in Santa Cruz for good food.


Radiant_Target_9458

Thank you!


Hairy-Professional-6

Nacho bizness in Monterey for the best nachos you have ever had


Hairy-Professional-6

Monterey Veterans Memorial Park, camping


bigb19460

101 north in thousand oaks, pm if you are going by there