The rich veins of precious metal that drew prospectors to its mountains and streams earned California its Golden State nickname. But today it is the state’s ever-present sunshine that attracts RVers from far and wide. Striking it rich is as easy as settling a rig in a sunbathed campsite. Yet in a state so vast and offering such varied terrain, snowbirds must decide which version of California dreaming they want. Should they explore the deserts and their bone-warming climes? Or will the beaches, with their salty breakers and suntanned sand, provide the contemplative calm that so many RVers seek?
In Palm Springs, a couple hours east of Los Angeles on Interstate 10 in the Coachella Valley, snowbirds can tuck into luxurious resorts that make for perfect long-term nesting. Large, well-manicured sites at most parks allow guests to settle in without feeling claustrophobic. Yet there’s plenty of room for camaraderie at the go-on-forever pools or on the tennis courts. And some resorts roll out the green carpet on their private golf courses. But if the park you choose does not have fairways and greens, Palm Springs and its surrounding upscale communities sport 107 golf courses within 45 miles, making it possible to play every day for six months without seeing the same putt twice.
Those who prefer green of a different kind can spend their money at the you’ve-got-to-be-kidding outlet stores just west of Palm Springs off the Cabazon exit of I-10. Before braving the almost 140 outlets, make sure to fortify yourself with a date shake at Hadley’s next door. Otherwise you may not have the energy to head south to San Diego and its environs, where coastal resorts, myriad museums and sportfishing lure snowbirds to California’s second-largest city, just north of the shopping mecca of Mexico. Call (800) 862-2543.
CATHEDRAL CITY
Desert Shadows RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 460 total; 150 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), paved, patios; back-in (30×60); big-rig sites; 15 rental units. Handicap access; cable TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; planned activities. Contact: 69801 Ramon Road #600, Cathedral City, California 92234; (760) 321-4881.
Outdoor Resorts Palm Springs RV Country Club
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry; groceries; RV supplies; food service. Sites: 1,213 total; 300 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), paved, patios; back-in (35×65); big-rig sites; 30 rental units. Handicap access; modem hookup in office; cable TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; shuffleboard; recreation hall; planned activities. Contact: 69-411 Ramon Road, Cathedral City, California 92234; (800) 453-4056; www.orps.com.
Palm Springs Oasis RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 140 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), paved, patios, some shaded; back-in (20×40); Handicap access; pay-modem; cable TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall. Contact: 36-100 Date Palm Drive, Cathedral City, California 92234; (760) 328-4813.
CHULA VISTA
Chula Vista RV Resort and Marina
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; groceries; RV supplies; LP-gas. Sites: 237 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), paved, patios; pull-through (25×60); back-in (25×45); big-rig sites. Handicap access; modem hookup in office; satellite TV. Recreation: San Diego Bay: saltwater fishing and tackle, boating: ramp, dock, marina. Heated pool; spa; adults room; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room; playground; planned activities. Contact: 460 Sandpiper Way, Chula Vista, California 91910; (800) 770-2878; our Good Sam RV campground directory.
DESERT HOT SPRINGS
Caliente Springs Natural Hot Water RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; public phone; laundry. Sites: 680 total; 460 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), dirt, patios; back-in (33×60); big-rig sites; 7 rental units. Handicap access; modem hookup at site; modem hookup in office; cable TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room; planned activities. Contact: 70-200 Dillon Road, Desert Hot Springs, California 92241; (888) 894-7727; www.calientesprings.com. A Good Sam Park.
EL CAJON
Circle RV Ranch
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 179 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios, some shaded; pull-through (25×60); back-in (22×40). Central modem hookup; cable TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room. Contact: 1835 East Main Street, El Cajon, California 92021; (800) 422-1835. A Good Sam Park.
ESCONDIDO
Escondido RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry; limited RV supplies; LP-gas. Sites: 67 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), paved, patios; back-in (16×40). Central modem hookup; cable TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; recreation hall. Contact: 1740 Seven Oaks Road, Escondido, California 92026; (800) 331-3556; www.escondidorv.com. A Good Sam Park.
HEMET
Casa del Sol RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; public phone; laundry. Sites: 358 total; 225 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), dirt, patios, some shaded; back-in (30×40). Central modem hookup; cable TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; planned activities. Contact: 2750 West Acacia Avenue, Hemet, California 92545; (888) 925-2516; www.casadelsolrvpark.com. A Good Sam Park.
Golden Village Palms RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 1,041 total; 641 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), 104 paved, 537 gravel, patios, some shaded; pull-through (15×60); back-in (25×40); some side-by-side hookups; 5 rental units. Handicap access; central modem hookup; cable TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; recreation field; planned activities. Contact: 3600 West Florida Avenue, Hemet, California 92545; (800) 323-9610; www.goldenvillagepalms.com. A Good Sam Park.
Mountain Valley RV Park
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 170 total; 100 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), dirt, patios, mostly shaded; back-in (24×45). Handicap access; central modem hookup. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; recreation hall; planned activities. Contact: 235 South Lyon, Hemet, California 92543; (800) 926-5593. A Good Sam Park.
INDIO
Indian Wells RV Park
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry. Sites: 355 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), paved; 174 pull-through (20×70); back-in (20×60); some side-by-side hookups; 2 rental units. Central modem hookup; cable TV. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; planned activities. Contact: 47-340 Jefferson Street, Indio, California 92201; (760) 347-0895. A Good Sam Park.
NEWPORT BEACH
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry; groceries; limited RV supplies; firewood; food service. Sites: 405 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), dirt; back-xin (24×40); big-rig sites; 75 tent sites. Handicap access; modem hookup in office; satellite TV. Recreation: Ocean, swimming, boating; heated pool; spa; horseshoes; recreation hall; recreation field; game room; playground: planned activities. Contact: 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660; (949) 729-3863; www.newportdunes.com.
NILAND
Fountain of Youth Spa RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved/gravel interior roads. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; groceries; limited RV supplies; LP-gas; food service. Sites: 850 total; 400 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel; back-in (25×50); big-rig sites; some side-by-side hookups; 3 rental units. Recreation: Heated pool; spa; adults room; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room; planned activities. Contact: 10249 Coachella Canal Road, Niland, California 92257; (888) 800-0772; www.foyspa.com. A Good Sam Park.
PALM DESERT
Emerald Desert Golf & RV Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions. Minimum RV length: 19 feet. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry; limited groceries; limited RV supplies. Sites: 600 total, full hookups (30/50 amps), paved, patios; back-in (25×50); big-rig sites; 7 rental units. Handicap access; modem hookup at site; modem hookup in office; cable TV. Recreation: Golf; heated pool; spa; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room; planned activities. Contact: 76000 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert, California 92211; (800) 426-4678; www.emeralddesert.com. A Good Sam Park.
SAN DIEGO
De Anza Harbor Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions, no tents. Restrooms and showers; dump station; security; public phone; laundry; groceries; limited RV supplies; LP-gas bottles only. Sites: 245 total, full hookups (30 amps), paved, patios, some shaded; back-in (25×40). Handicap access; modem hookup in office. Recreation: Mission Bay: saltwater, fishing, swimming, boating: ramp, dock. Shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; playground. Contact: 2727 De Anza Road, San Diego, California 92109; (800) 924-7529. A Good Sam Park.
TWENTYNINE PALMS
29 Palms Golf Resort
Facilities: Good paved interior roads, pet restrictions. Restrooms and showers; security; public phone; laundry; LP-gas. Sites: 197 total; 175 available, full hookups (30/50 amps), gravel, patios; 31 pull-through (25×56); back-in (28×52); big-rig sites; 4 rental units. Handicap access; central modem hookup. Recreation: Pool; spa; shuffleboard; horseshoes; recreation hall; game room. Contact: 4949 Desert Knoll, 29 Palms, California 92277; (800) 874-4548. A Good Sam Park.
For more campgrounds in California, visit the Good Sam RV campsite directory.
