My wife and I are traveling from Santa Barbara to Oakland Friday for the Sail Expo Show in our self-contained VW camper. Does anyone have a suggestion for parking overnight Friday and Saturday? All suggestions welcome! We have a Hunter Legend 37 in the marina here and a parking space for a small RV if anyone would care to reciprocate. Thank you very much.
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WalMart parking lots.
Jeff: Most WalMart parking lots welcome overnite campers. Also you can stay at rest stops on the highways. Keep your eyes open as you are headed up 101.
Jeff: Most WalMart parking lots welcome overnite campers. Also you can stay at rest stops on the highways. Keep your eyes open as you are headed up 101.
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Doug Rodrigues
No Wal-Marts in that area.
Jeff, I used to keep my boat in the Berkeley Marina, and know the area intimately. Forget the Wal-Marts...there are none in that area. I don't know if I should let this secret out...it may ruin a good thing. Try the Berkeley Marina. As you drive into the marina, the road branches to the left and right. There is a sign at the fork in the road that says, "Camping Prohibited." Take the left branch and continue. To your left, you will see a fenced-off area for wind surfers (I used to windsurf there). To your right will be a parking lot surrounded by trees. That would be the best area for parking at night, just don't turn it into a gypsy camp and have the cops kick you out. Remain low-key. I suspect that the cops won't enforce the no camping rule as long as you don't rub it into their face that you're breaking the rules. Suggest that you leave prior to 7:00 am before the Harbor Master arrives at her office at the end of the parking lot. I stayed there for 2 months in my motorhome, arriving after 7:00 pm, and departing prior to 6:00 am. Yeah, I had it down to a science. Of course the local beat cop knew I also had a boat there, but there are many others who seemed not to have any connection with boating also parked there. The second best place to park is on the water side of that wind surfer area. There always seemed to be at least a couple of non-boaters camped there. Also, the Berkeley Marina is a safe place at night. No crazy people around, as with other local areas. The next Marina to the south, by a couple of miles, is the Emerville Marina. Don't even think of parking there at night! You are almost guaranteed a citation by the Emerville police if you don't leave when ordered! That order often comes at 2:00 am with orders shouted-out via the patrol car's loudspeaker. To my knowledge, there is only one campground available. It's at the north side of the 3M ball park in South San Francisco. Price: $49 a night at a regular parking space with no hookups! Then you'd also have to fight the traffic to get back across the Bay Bridge. Hope this information helped.
Jeff, I used to keep my boat in the Berkeley Marina, and know the area intimately. Forget the Wal-Marts...there are none in that area. I don't know if I should let this secret out...it may ruin a good thing. Try the Berkeley Marina. As you drive into the marina, the road branches to the left and right. There is a sign at the fork in the road that says, "Camping Prohibited." Take the left branch and continue. To your left, you will see a fenced-off area for wind surfers (I used to windsurf there). To your right will be a parking lot surrounded by trees. That would be the best area for parking at night, just don't turn it into a gypsy camp and have the cops kick you out. Remain low-key. I suspect that the cops won't enforce the no camping rule as long as you don't rub it into their face that you're breaking the rules. Suggest that you leave prior to 7:00 am before the Harbor Master arrives at her office at the end of the parking lot. I stayed there for 2 months in my motorhome, arriving after 7:00 pm, and departing prior to 6:00 am. Yeah, I had it down to a science. Of course the local beat cop knew I also had a boat there, but there are many others who seemed not to have any connection with boating also parked there. The second best place to park is on the water side of that wind surfer area. There always seemed to be at least a couple of non-boaters camped there. Also, the Berkeley Marina is a safe place at night. No crazy people around, as with other local areas. The next Marina to the south, by a couple of miles, is the Emerville Marina. Don't even think of parking there at night! You are almost guaranteed a citation by the Emerville police if you don't leave when ordered! That order often comes at 2:00 am with orders shouted-out via the patrol car's loudspeaker. To my knowledge, there is only one campground available. It's at the north side of the 3M ball park in South San Francisco. Price: $49 a night at a regular parking space with no hookups! Then you'd also have to fight the traffic to get back across the Bay Bridge. Hope this information helped.
T
Tom
Check with the sailing clubs in the area...
Most clubs have parking lots and should help out a fellow sailing club member.
Most clubs have parking lots and should help out a fellow sailing club member.
Actually there are some WalMarts in the area.
Actually there are some WalMarts in the area. Depending on how far you are willing to drive. You can go to San Leandro, Martinez, Union City or Vallejo. You can always climb on Bart or the Train to get to the show from where ever you light for the night too.
Actually there are some WalMarts in the area. Depending on how far you are willing to drive. You can go to San Leandro, Martinez, Union City or Vallejo. You can always climb on Bart or the Train to get to the show from where ever you light for the night too.
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Doug Rodrigues
Vallejo??
Hey Steve, I never did find that Wal-Mart in Vallejo. Did they tear it down? It wasn't where the internet map indicated. I ended up parking in the run-down Vallejo Public Marina lot while I worked in the area. Note to all trailer sailors: Don't even think of launching from the Vallejo Marina. Too shallow, plus the flood and ebb tides make it seem like sailing on a slowly running river! If visiting the Bay area, the Berkeley Marina is the absolute best for everything! Huge parking lot for your tow vehicle and trailer; sheltered launch ramps; parks; two restaurants; repair facilities; and No Bums!
Hey Steve, I never did find that Wal-Mart in Vallejo. Did they tear it down? It wasn't where the internet map indicated. I ended up parking in the run-down Vallejo Public Marina lot while I worked in the area. Note to all trailer sailors: Don't even think of launching from the Vallejo Marina. Too shallow, plus the flood and ebb tides make it seem like sailing on a slowly running river! If visiting the Bay area, the Berkeley Marina is the absolute best for everything! Huge parking lot for your tow vehicle and trailer; sheltered launch ramps; parks; two restaurants; repair facilities; and No Bums!
Never been there either.
Doug: I just got this info from the WalMart web site. I don't know if I would want to spend a night in some of these locations no matter how cheap it APPEARS to be. Are you going to the show? We are leaving this afternoon for the boat and will be there on Friday.
Doug: I just got this info from the WalMart web site. I don't know if I would want to spend a night in some of these locations no matter how cheap it APPEARS to be. Are you going to the show? We are leaving this afternoon for the boat and will be there on Friday.
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Doug Rodrigues
Don't know yet.......
I'm getting off the subject..sorry. Steve, I went to last year's show. It was great! VERY EASY to spend money unnecessarily. Doesn't look like I'll be going this year. I have to do other things such as checking-out used engine driven portable welders. Bought one Monday, and have a lead on another one in another town. Sure wish the weather would clear-up. I want to go sailing!
I'm getting off the subject..sorry. Steve, I went to last year's show. It was great! VERY EASY to spend money unnecessarily. Doesn't look like I'll be going this year. I have to do other things such as checking-out used engine driven portable welders. Bought one Monday, and have a lead on another one in another town. Sure wish the weather would clear-up. I want to go sailing!
D
Doug Rodrigues
Jeff, where did you end-up parking?
We're probably all curious Jeff. Whrere did you find a place to park?
We're probably all curious Jeff. Whrere did you find a place to park?
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