California trip
 

Please advise on the best time to visit California for tourism. We are traveling in a motorhome.

Here is what Google AI says: "The best times to visit California in a motorhome are during the shoulder seasons of spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) for mild weather and fewer crowds. However, the ideal time depends on your destination: April to October is best for the Pacific Coast, June to September for the High Sierra, and November to March for the deserts."

It depends on where you plan to go. It's a BIG state, equivalent in size to many countries. Some areas/places are very popular very nearly year-round, and others get many fewer visitors throughout the year. Despite illusions to the contrary, it isn't 75F and sunny every day everywhere. We do have harsh weather seasons (both hot and cold). The size of the motorhome could make it very difficult to find parking in cities, and reservations in campsites usually need to be made well in advance. If you won't have a small vehicle or bicycles, you'll have to consider public transportation options from wherever you park. Lots of websites that list "best RV trips" fail to focus on the weather and the last-miles logistics, but they're worth perusing for info on state/national/RV parks. So google, look at weather records, and come back with an itinerary.

Why are you doing this? This will severely impact where you go and where you can stay (the motorhome issue). I can't even imagine how much trouble that would be for visiting cities, you'd have to park it somewhere outside the city and then what? What kind of places do you want to go to?

Welcome to Fodors. You can usually safely ignore AI recommendations without adding a lot more criteria. . EVERYTHING depends on details of specifically where you will be. California has among other extremes: the hottest, often the coldest, the highest point in the lower 48, the lowest point in the western hemisphere, the wettest area in the continental US, some years the most snowfall of anywhere in the US, extensive fire seasons in various parts of the state, etc etc etc. The best time could be any time depending on where you are traveling. It is a huge state.

You really need to give us a LOT more information than your short original post. How many days?? What sorts of things do you want to see and do?? Do you plan on visiting any cities?? Will you have a dog/pet along (that will. substantially affect state and national park visits)??

Also -- a big consideration: Is this your own motorhome or are you flying in and renting an RV here?? If you own the RV it definitely makes sense to use it. However if you are renting an RV it almost never pencils out -- the very high fuel costs in CA, plus mileage limits and rental costs means it is typically cheaper and more convenient renting a car and staying in hotels/motels/rental cabins.

To be honest, I didn't think about where exactly, I just had this idea to visit this state too. Most likely, I would visit some natural places. Based on your advice, I would avoid cities, as there are parking problems there, or if I left my house outside the city and went there by public transport for a day to see the city.

I might want to visit the main attractions; I have plenty of time overall.

How many months are you planning? Only a slight exaggeration. There are sooooooo many 'main attractions' - you need to get a guide book and read up a bit. then come back with some more focused questions.

A (very) short list of some of main natural sites would include:
• Yosemite National Park
• Sequoia / Kings Canyon National Parks
• Death Valley National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Countless beaches all up and down the coast - primarily state parks
• scores of lighthouses.
• MANY coastal redwoods State and National Parks.
• Lake Tahoe
• Lassen National Park
• Calaveras Big Trees and several other Sequoia State Parks
• Point Lobos State Reserve / Big Sur
• Bodie State Historic Park
• 8 or 10 distinct wine regions
• Bodega / Tomales Bays
• I could go on with probably 100 more

Then there are hundreds of other attractions that are 'city adjacent' like the Monterey Bay Aquarium, San Diego wild animal park and the zoo, many theme parks, Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands, etc etc.

You have to do some homework . . .

As you do your research, give a second thought as to whether having a motor home is the best way to see and do all that interests you. Motor homes get bad mileage, and gasoline is very expensive in Califirnia. I don't know how the daily rental cost compares to hotel/motel/other lodging nightly rates, but the parking/campsite rates should be considered in your calculations. Also, last-miles costs using public transportation, Uber/Lyft, etc. Motor homes can provide some travel freedom but likewise make some aspects more difficult, more expensive, more time-consuming.

Based on your advice, I've really thought about the practicality of a motorhome. I need to discuss this with my family.Thank you very much for your advice

Traveling in an RV does have things you need to think about.

California is a HUGE and magnificent state. I think you need a guidebook to look a little more in detail about where you want to go.

I grew up there camping in various national and state parks all over the place.

Even your basic question needs fine tuning for anyone to be able to help in more detail.

I would probably like to visit untouched natural places, where you can park your motorhome and admire the beauty, at least a couple of them.

As mentioned above you really should get a guidebook or two. Usually one just can't park motorhomes in wild/untouched areas. There are national, state, and county parks (where you can reserve camp sites - often well in advance) with amazing scenery, hiking trails etc.

Because of issues with homelessness, there are many places where RVs can't be parked overnight... and not just wild/untouched areas, but also cities, suburbs and small towns, in both residential and commercial areas. I wouldn't arrive in an RV anywhere in the state without an identified and probably reserved overnight parking situation.

Depending on how large your family is, a Class B camper van might work. It would work in cities as well. https://i.etsystatic.com/32618787/r/...79413_1qub.jpg

Only if they pre-book just about every camping site (except for some Walmart parking lots - and Walmart is really cutting back on that policy)

"...(except for some Walmart parking lots - and Walmart is really cutting back on that policy)." Ditto Costco.

Even if a particular Walmart or Costco gives overnight parking permission, you still need to obey local restrictions.

Your goals do not seem to align. In one post you state you want to see "main attractions" and in another, you state you want to see "untouched natural places." No offense, but most "untouched natural places" are going to require hiking, not by motorhome/RV.

Research is key here. Does not seem like you have any sort of plan. Folks here are not going to plan this for you. Suggestions can be provided, sure, but takes leg work by you and we really cannot provide suggestions on the very vague pieces of information you have provided so far.

There are several guidebooks of camping in California, both in Northern & Southern CA and likely will have sections or references to RV camping. The Moon guide has several and I am familiar with the author, but as someone who has camped and hiked extensively in many "untouched natural areas" of Northern CA, his submissions are pretty lacking, imho. But then again, I really am not sure what you are truly wanting on this trip. With that having been said, though, they are at least a good place to start.

Matthew, as a new User here I just came across your question.
We are RV-travellors almost all around the world, so also in USA and California.
But to give you the best advices I would need a bit more information:
Where are you living? Because the rental condition will be different about any country you live.
How many days/nights will you have in total?
How many people in your party?
What month will you come?
What are your interests? F.e. if it is city sighseeing then a camper/RV is the worst decision.