RV Trip to Mission Bay & San Diego

Our plan was to travel from our home in Ventura County, California to the San Diego area for “a few days,” visit Sea World and to see some of the area’s other attractions. We left home in our 31’ class C around 10.00 AM. Due to an accident on Highway 1, the “Coast Route,” we headed southward on the 101 Freeway. In Los Angeles we joined the I-5 Freeway on our way southward towards San Diego.

Gorgeous wildflowers at San Clemente Beach

Gorgeous wildflowers at San Clemente Beach

For lunch we stopped at San Clemente State Beach (Exit #73). This State Beach Park (just a few blocks off of the freeway) is located on a bluff overlooking the ocean. This park is a fee area. It offers both day and camping use, with RV sites. Kathy made up a couple of sandwiches and we enjoyed an ocean view from one of their picnic tables. A paved trail heads from picnic area to the beach, which is frequented by both bathers and surfers. From our lunch stop, it was just about an hour down the I-5 to our destination at an RV Park located on the north shore of Mission Bay, (Exit #23).

Kathy at our Mission Bay Camp Site

Kathy at our Mission Bay Camp Site

We had selected this RV Park partially due to the parks “on-line” capabilities. At this time my wife was involved in teaching on-line college classes and was also designing and building an extensive website. That afternoon my wife sat at her computer watching the swarms of birds on Mission Bay, as she worked on creating a website and prepared information for her on-line class. With some planning, she has even been able to do her on-line work in several areas where we have “boonedocked.” In order to facilitate her on-line work Kathy uses an Internet card, or USB connector, and service with a major Internet provider that covers the areas in which we intend to travel.

We had made our trip during “off season” when no shuttle from the RV Park to Sea World was available. We also wanted to see the USS Midway and other attractions on the San Diego Waterfront. So we used the direct line phone at the RV Park office to have a rental car delivered to us. (As a note: our RV “rig” came with a harness and towing hitch. After a lot of examination we determined that we could rent a lot of cars, ride a lot of shuttles and busses and still be money, and driving “convenience” ahead, by not towing a “dinghy.”)

Kathy with Dolphin

Kathy with Dolphin

Our day at Sea World was an exceptional one, which was highlighted by Kathy swimming with and “training” dolphins in an additional program which the park offers to its visitors. Another instant favorite of ours were the polar bears — they have an enclosure with glass walls that allow you to see these magnificent bears dive, swim and play — they are huge, graceful and incredibly beautiful animals.

The next morning, after taking the approximate 9-mile trip south along Mission Bay Drive, and Pacific Coast Highway we arrived at the San Diego Naval Pier. There, we boarded the “retired” aircraft carrier, USS Midway. This adventure was highlighted by both guided and “headphone” tours which included the ships “Island.” This historic ship (which saw service from 1945 through 1992) is filled with evidence of her impact on history. Additionally, virtually every type of aircraft ever flown off of her 4+-acre flight deck is found on either her flight or hanger decks.

Flight Deck of the USS Midway

Flight Deck of the USS Midway


After our tour, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at the outdoor café on the fantail of the carrier. The ship’s fantail backs right up and practically into the western portion of downtown San Diego!

Russian Sub at Dock, San Diego CA

Russian Sub at Dock, San Diego CA

Along the waterfront, just north of the USS Midway, is the Maritime Museum of San Diego. In addition to the “floating” museum on board the 1898 ferry Berkley, other historic ships are found here and are open to visitors. Among the museum’s “water displays” is the 1863 Star of India, a replica of the 18th Century Frigate, HMS Surprise, which was used in the filming of “Master and Commander.” The floating museum even includes a Russian submarine!

There are several excellent restaurants located along the waterfront in the area of the Maritime Museum.

Our last night at Mission Bay included our first experience with a hailstorm on our RV’s roof. No damage, but lots of noise!

Our Sunday morning trip back home: the I-5 north, to the 405 north/west to the I-10 west continuing onto Highway 1 up the coast to Oxnard was virtually the same distance as our route was going south via the “inland” route. Travel time in both directions was about 3 ½ hours.

Some things we found helpful in planning our trip:

California State Parks Reservations:
www.parks.ca.gov
San Clemente State Beach
(949) 492-3156

Campland on the Bay (Mission Bay)
2211 Pacific Beach Dr.
San Diego, CA 92109
(800) 422-9386
www.campland.com

Sea World
(Mission Bay)
500 Sea World Dr.
San Diego, CA 92109
(800) 25SHAMU
www.seaworld.com

USS Midway
910 N. Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 544-9600
www.midway.org

1492 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 234-9153
www.sdmaritime.org

RESOURCES
Trailer Life Directory”
“The Next Exit”
Internet
L. A. Radio Station 1070 (Highway information)

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 10:44 am and is filed under San Diego Trip. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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