CA Highway 1 safe for 42' Monty?

[bcrvman]

Hi, I am planning a trip in 2022/2023 for 365 days and want to return up the CA, OR, WA coast on highway 1, including through Daly City and the Golden Gate Bridge.
IF you know from experience that parts of this are NOT doable in a 42' Monty I would like to know.
I plan on getting on #1 in San Luis Obispo CA and staying on it all the way to where it changes to 101 at 271 and then follow 101.
Time frame is 2023 late Mar to early Apr ending up at the Canadian Border May 4, 2023.
My concerns are snow/ice, clearance, tight curves, and places to stay. We are full timers and are rigged for boondocking for up to a week at a time before we need to dump.

[Hblick48]

I've either driven my old 33' Seabreeze towing car on trailer, or towed my Monty entire length of highway 1. Only one slight incident where folding stairs on Seabreeze scraped roadway during sharp right switchback heading north on 1 close to the 101 merge. Slow and steady gets you there. No snow, ice, or clearance issues. Boondocking is tough because no overnight parking along highway. Lots of RV parks except around San Francisco.

We're spending long weekend on Highway 1 in Pacifica starting Friday.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by Hblick48

I've either driven my old 33' Seabreeze towing car on trailer, or towed my Monty entire length of highway 1. Only one slight incident where folding stairs on Seabreeze scraped roadway during sharp right switchback heading north on 1 close to the 101 merge. Slow and steady gets you there. No snow, ice, or clearance issues. Boondocking is tough because no overnight parking along highway. Lots of RV parks except around San Francisco.

We're spending long weekend on Highway 1 in Pacifica starting Friday.

That sounds encouraging. I found an RV resort right on the ocean. Super expensive but it is San Francisco and we will probably only go there once.
Thanks.

[Hblick48]

Originally Posted by bcrvman

That sounds encouraging. I found an RV resort right on the ocean. Super expensive but it is San Francisco and we will probably only go there once.
Thanks.

That's where we're going, its the only one right on the ocean. Been going there since we started RVing in 2002. Tight spaces but million dollar spot.

[Lucky23]

I drove long wheel base semi's no power steering twin sticks hauling up to 60ft long rebar cages all over that area. Also drove our 37 ft 3 axle motorhome with a bike lift for Harley dresser towing a Geo Tracker behind.

You should be just fine ��

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by Lucky23

I drove long wheel base semi's no power steering twin sticks hauling up to 60ft long rebar cages all over that area. Also drove our 37 ft 3 axle motorhome with a bike lift for Harley dresser towing a Geo Tracker behind.

You should be just fine ��

Thanks

[JoeUSNRET]

I came down HWY 101 heading south to San Francisco in October 2017, remember the date as it was the week Tom Petty died and of the shooting in Las Vegas concert. I took the turn off HWY 101 at Leggett to PCH CA-1 driving a GMC Explorer conversion van. I was really surprised by how tight, twisty and narrow the road was. I have a 40 foot monty now and I personally would not consider taking it on the PCH CA-1 from Leggett to SF. that's just me. I would really like to hear how it goes if you give it a try. I will say it was a beautiful drive. Good luck and safe travels.

[Montana Man]

2023? Shouldn't you plan ahead further?

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by Montana Man

2023? Shouldn't you plan ahead further?

I might need to, but we (Canada) just got news a vaccine (partly developed in Canada) will be available 1st Q of 2021. I am fairly sure the entire population of North America can be done in about a year (it's a 2 dose vaccine). Herd immunity is defined as 70% to 80% immunity so that will happen before I want to leave (May 2022) and I am confident the border will be open by then.

[Hit The Road]

Originally Posted by Montana Man

2023? Shouldn't you plan ahead further?

We plan our trips out that far also! Start making reservations about a year out! Works for us, had nothing but successful trips with absolutely no problems. Including numerous international trips without our 5th wheel!

[Carl n Susan]

I assume you have Googled CA-1 and read the experiences. I have driven it numerous times in a car (once in a Porsche was the greatest). It is tight, narrow (no breakdown shoulder area), no guardrails, few turnouts, with plenty of switchbacks to keep your attention. You should assume you won't be breaking any land speed records. In Big Sur (south of Monterey) and Muir Woods (north of San Francisco) plan on 20 MPH max. You will want to time the switchbacks for when there is no oncoming traffic as you you will have to cross the center line with the truck to keep the RV out of the ditch or overhanging rocks. In other areas you can speed along at 35-40 MPH. Do take advantage of any pullouts to let the line of traffic behind you get by (and signal their frustration :-) )

If you are comfortable in driving your rig, knowing where all the wheels are at all times, prepared to concentrate on just driving (no sight seeing for you - just your passenger) and enjoy a challenge, this is the road for you. If you have an easily spooked passenger the good news is your are going north and all the cliff drop offs are on the left. There is just the rock walls to keep them occupied.

This is a fun trip and I envy you. Hopefully CA-1 doesn't have anymore landslides between now and your trip. The last one took almost two years before the road was opened again.

I know of the park in S.F. you are referring to. I have never stayed there (we don't take the RV to S.F.) but I have a friend who has stayed there frequently (his mom lived nearby). Tight spots and exorbitant prices but spectacular views.

[Hblick48]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

I know of the park in S.F. you are referring to. I have never stayed there (we don't take the RV to S.F.) but I have a friend who has stayed there frequently (his mom lived nearby). Tight spots and exorbitant prices but spectacular views.

We belong to Thousand Trails with added Trails Collection. Space at that park costs us $20/night (because it's a premium park). Biggest problem is getting a spot since they limit the number of spaces for members.

Of course we pay monthly dues just for that privilege. We feel we get more than our monies worth being a member.

[offroad71]

If you are still thinking about Hwy 1, part of it is gone after the storm a few days ago in the Big Sur area.

[Carl n Susan]

ANd it won't be oipen soon I expect. The last wash out took two years to repair.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

ANd it won't be oipen soon I expect. The last wash out took two years to repair.

I doubt they will/can fix it, probably close that section and build a new road around the chasm. Anybody have GPS coords of the location?

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by bcrvman

I doubt they will/can fix it, probably close that section and build a new road around the chasm. Anybody have GPS coords of the location?

Roughly 36:05'31"N by 121:37'07" just south of Big Sur at Rat Creek.The last big slide buried the highway and Caltrans was able build on top of it. This looks like it will take a bridge as routing the road inland isn't practical. It will be interesting to see how Caltrans attacks the problem.






The Mud Creek slide that Caltrans was able to go over.

[Dam Worker]

I towed my old unit from just south of San Francisco to the state park just south of the Hearst mansion. Crew cab and 30 some foot fifth wheel. Really tight and twisty, yes we did it but it was mainly late afternoon/evening and late into the night. Lots of one lane roads with temporary stop light signals due to mud slides washing out part of the lanes back in the late 90’s maybe really early 2000’s. Good thing minimal traffic bad thing very slow. As said before a sports car would be a lot more fun. Just make sure you have lots of time and don’t worry about speeding. I was happy to get up to 15/20 mph before having to slow back down. Good luck and enjoy the views if during the daylight, if either of you get squeamish with heights beware that you may not enjoy this route.
Happy roads to you.

Tom

[JABURKHOLDER]

White knuckle driving. No sightseeing for the driver. Hwy washes out frequently.

Hmmm ? Doesn't sound enjoyable to me. Your call.

[Slow Hand]

I would not tow down Hwy 1 Its a nice drive in the car or truck. I have seen some BRAVE souls do it just not very enjoyable. I would go down 101 then find a road to cruise to the coast where you want to park then drive around.

[prndl]

I have taken my 35' Dp motorhome with a towed across the GG bridge and down through downtown SF and then to Highway 1 and all the way south to Lompoc without an worry or incident. I have pulled my Montana up and down Highway 1 several times. It is not a worry to do this. It is not that narrow a road. I have also gone up and down in my Corvette and it is much more pleasurable to do it in that car.
Since the washout though it will not be possible for a couple of years.