On Monday we drove out of San Francisco and Oakland Area on I 5 and
stopped for the night in Coalinga, lots of almond and orange
trees but not a lot of water . Next day we drove to a campground in
Van Nuys called the Hollywood campground. Originally called the
Birmingham Campground in fact the GPS still calls it after that it
was called the Balboa campground and now the Hollywood campground.
It’s a real interesting place with a number of permanent residents
many in the film industry and many musicians. We sat in on a jam
session of about a half dozen guitar players with one banjo player
who were essentially playing for their own enjoyment.
Balboa Park an urban park with a nice lake is nearby and we were
able to walk everyday.
Friday night we drove up to Richard in
Topanga Canyon and then went for dinner. Driving in the
mountains is challenging especially turning around on his block
especially in the dark.
Saturday we met Rich and Jen at one of our favorite restaurants 26
Beach in Venice. Debby,I and Rich had our favorite Reese’s peanut
butter french toast. Even thought it was no longer on the menu they
made it for us. After breaks/lunch Debby and I walked on the Venice
Canals and then the Boardwalk without boards before returning to the
campground.
On Sunday we met Rich and Jen for dinner at a
restaurant in her old neighborhood I had grass fed Gaucho
steak, not bad but they are better in Aruba.
On Tuesday we drove to Santee, Ca and a campground we had
spent a month in back in 2002 when our RV lifestyle first began. We
were back in 2017 for two stays as this is one really great
park with seven lakes to walk around and nice large sites. We could
only get three nights because of the upcoming July 4th holiday. We
had came down to visit with family so three days would have been
fine. Unfortunately things happen and we never did have our family
visit. None the less we did walk or hike as I have said numerous
times “what’s the difference “ at Mission Gorge Park on one of the
days and that is always a great place for us.
We left there and drove to San Dimas, CA. Another place we had been
to in 2003 on our first trip West. At that time it was called The
East Shore RV park and it was still called East Shore in 2016 when
we came for the Rose Bowl Parade. In 2003 driving a Ford 350
and living in a New Horizon fifth wheel we came to meet an
instructor from the RV Driving School for a week of learning to
drive our truck and trailer. While I was comfortable driving I
wanted Debby to take lessons. None the less I did learn some
pointers I still use and Debby became more comfortable driving the
rig. However as time continued our trucks increased in size and she
hasn’t driven in years. Now the park is Called Bonelli Bluffs Resort
and Campground. The Campground is in Frank Bonelli Regional Park and
a concessionaire of Los Angeles County. The previous concessionaire
East Shore recently lost the contract. Thge campground changed
hands in June, making it a little challenging when we
contacted them for a site.
We walked in the Park Each day of our
visit.
On Sunday we had brunch with my cousin and her husband and on Monday
we had dinner with Richard at a local Chinese Hot Pot.
