Celebrate our 12 favorite RV parks of 2020
Look what Santa brought us today... It’s the 12 RV parks of Christmas!
How did he know these were our favorite commercial parks from 2020? Obviously, Santa must be an RVer when he’s not at the North Pole.
Grab some eggnog and sing along with us now: “On the first day of Christmas …”
- Happy Traveler, Palm Springs, Calif. Location, location, location. This place is right on the edge of retro-cool downtown, with a beautiful pool and a friendly vibe. Hiking is right out the door in the San Jacinto mountains.
- Grand Canyon Trailer Village, Ariz. What a treat to have a full hookup in a national park, just steps away from one of the most awesome natural wonders on earth. You’ll pay a premium, but so what?
- Rancho Sedona, Ariz. We were “stuck” here last spring during the first round of the pandemic. No pity party for us: We hiked every day amid Sedona’s amazing red rock canyons while staying in a beautiful, well-run facility that became like a second home.
- Malibu Beach RV Park, Malibu, Calif. Sunsets at this bluff-top ocean-side park are amazing. And you’re just down the road from beach homes of L.A.’s movie and sports stars, steps from hiking trails in the Santa Monica Mountains. And you get a discount at the neighboring fish and chips shop.
- Sea Perch, Yachats, Ore. Step outside your RV and you’re walking on a rugged stretch of the Oregon Coast. You can’t get any closer to the mighty Pacific, and you’re just down the highway from more great hiking on scenic Cape Perpetua.
- Lake Pleasant RV Park, Bothell, Wash. We searched (and searched) for a quality RV park in the Seattle area and finally found one in this quiet hangout, close to the city, the north shore of Lake Washington and to the wineries of Woodinville.
- KOA, Gila Bend, Ariz. On the edge of a scenic desert recreation area, this well-run RV park isn’t in the prettiest town, but it has other charms: Friendly residents (we got invited to happy hour within seconds of pulling in) and large, comfortable sites. Plus, we loved the pool and the super-clean laundry room.
- Pillar Point RV Park, Half Moon Bay, Calif. It’s tight, but wow, what a scene. Our neighbors gave us a crab they had just caught as we watched waves crash on the nearby jetty, a short walk from the famed Mavericks surfing break.
- Dockweiler RV Park, El Segundo, Calif. Right on the beach next to Los Angeles International Airport. Embrace the jet noise and you’re in a stunning location, right on a bike-friendly recreation path between funky-cool Venice Beach and tony Manhattan Beach.
- Sam’s RV Park, Desert Hot Springs, Calif. You like to soak? Unlimited hot springs time is the key attraction of this friendly RV park on the edge of the Coachella Valley.
- KOA Filmore, Utah. Sometimes a place speaks to you during an overnight stay when you’re traveling home during a pandemic. After a grueling day on the road, we pulled in to find a friendly refuge, basking in spring sunshine amid broad views of the snow-capped Pahvent Range.
- The Springs at Borrego, Calif. This place is a full-fledged resort, with a nice golf course, beautiful pool and clubhouse. We discovered Borrego Springs in 2020 and vow to return for the desert sun, weird art installations and hiking.
