Where To Overnight Between Yuma and San Diego?

[Jerry Winchester]

Headed that way in Aug and I was looking for a place to overnight on I-8. On Taco Tour 1, Mike and I stopped in a rest area but woke up by a giant sand dune that we didn't see in the dark. Luckily there was no wind. I could just park somewhere along the interstate I guess, but I am hesitant to carry any firearms into the Peoples Republic of California and last time I was thru there, every other vehicle on the road was a Border Patrol truck.

[AmeriStar]

Jerry,
A couple of years back, we departed the Holiday Bowl in San Diego headed for Yuma, got too tired to keep driving and stopped at El Centro, California. There are several pretty nice RV parks in that area. We only stayed 1 night, but it was clean and friendly. I can't remember the name, but you might check RV Park Reviews.

[garyde]

It looks like Gila Bend and Wellton are populated towns. Hotels, Fuel stops.http://www.town.wellton.az.us/wellton_rvpark.htm

[rahangman]

Excellent breakfast at "The Atomic Cafe" in Gila Bend....

[hhoppe]

JDUB In August no one stops between Yuma and San Diego on purpose. ( You Texas boys oughta Know that ) It's a short 130 mile trip with the August temperature between 115 and 124 in the shade and there ain't no shade on that road. Plan a run from Tucson to San Diego ( 408 mi ) in one shot. Fuel in Eloy AZ at Flying J or other truck stops. Don't sweat the guns in CA, just keep guns and ammo stored seperatly in your coach. I just made that run in January and will forward some places to stay in those areas. Plan your West Coast trip all the way up the coast including the Olympic Peninsula in WA. We did it all last year. We'll pop some caps here in N. Cal. on you way through.

[flyu2there]

The drive from Yuma to San Diego is a bit closer to 180 miles, that said it can be a slow one. First you have the Fruit Police at the California border, just beyond the turn off to Los Algodones, Mexico. By all means, tell them that you have been in Yuma for the last 6 weeks to avoid them looking for lettuce in your fridge! Another 20 or so miles towards SD will be your first Border Patrol Checkpoint. This can be easy or painful, depending on their mood. By the way, all of this time you can enjoy the view of the "fence" which will be about 1/2 mile outside (hopefully on the left) your windows. El Centro is benign, nuff said, their only claim to fame is that "Cher" was hatched in that community! Just west, about 30 miles, outside of El Centro you will begin a rather large pull up into the mountains, lots of switch backs and blind curves here, caution is advised. You will climb for below sea level to 4500' in maybe 15 miles. Now you have quite a distance "ridge runnin"....up and down through several passes, all benign this time of year. About ten miles outside of Alpine, another treat.....yes once again a Border Patrol Checkpoint. This one is often agonizing, as they like to funnel a 4 lane highway down to one lane, if your lucky, they may have two lanes open. Same drill, get your bus sniffed by the dog while somebody asks you and all your passengers if they are a US Citizens (avoid the temptation to say Si), where are you going, where did you come from............... One more little pass and the dive into San Diego begins, it starts to feel like you are entering a bee hive. Four lanes grow to eight then ten as different roads merge and fall off back to four just as fast. Know where you are going in this area to avoid a four lane bluish charge thru traffic, turn signals don't matter in So Cal, they still will be passing you on all sides! One more thing.....AT ALL COSTS, avoid this road on Sunday or Monday after a long weekend as every Toy Hauling Sierra Oscar Bravo known to man will be returning to So Cal clogging up the roads and checkpoints, not to mention the marked increase in police vehicles. Done with that!

Another correspondent mentioned Gila Bend...the best way to see Gila Bend is in the rear view mirror. Save the fact that it is the home of one of the largest and most traversed VOR's in the country (and there's nothing to see there) the town tanked when I-8 replaced Highway 80 and bypassed the burg in the 1970's. Used tire stores, that are often abandoned gas stations, abandoned motels, closed shops, overpriced gas and diesel and an aggressive police department who's four officers will gladly cite anyone for going 36 in a 35 mph zone. Should you be an ELK there is a lodge (sort of) there and I do believe you can park in their gravel lot for 5.00 per night. Cannot speak to the Atomic Cafe, may well be good but I still think that eating in Gila Bend is akin to eating strawberry's in a gas station mens room.

Now to answer Jerry's question.....not too much between Yuma and SD in terms of a decent place to stay. California has closed every rest stop on I-8 save the one just outside of Yuma in the middle of the highway. Fruit police open, rest stops closed....I don't really understand their budget thing! Yuma however probably has more RV Parks than anywhere else in the country for a town of 150,000. The rat holes rent for 20 bucks a night in the summer and the super deluxe (yes there are several) rent for 20.00 per night. Send me a PM for vectors to the best and much more.

End of travel log!

[flyu2there]

It looks like Gila Bend and Wellton are populated towns. Hotels, Fuel stops.http://www.town.wellton.az.us/wellton_rvpark.htm

Wellton????? Located about 40 miles and a mountain pass east of Yuma it is also the home of the largest feed lot in the southwest making the city bird the common blow fly! It has the topography of the moon and is the home of snowbirds on a really tight budget. Shasta 14 foot trailers from the 70's, home made plywood cab over campers on a 50's Chevrolet P/U's, Apollo Motor-Homes, converted school buses all abound. To add to its glory are the Border Patrol Helicopters that constantly overfly this popular route for mules and un-documented guests from Mexico....stay on the highway and keep the speedo locked at 75. :confused:

[Steve Bennett]

Jerry, we have stayed at the Viejas Casino many times. They have a huge parking lot with security, and a food court in conjunction with a small outlet mall. It is about 50 miles from San Diego center, and is adjacent to Interstate 8. You would be dry camped, but it is a great overnight spot, and will likely be plenty cool so you won't need A/C. I believe their website is Viejas.com for a location. You will have a big climb coming out of the ElCentro area, and a long downhill towards the casino.

[Pete]

El Centro is the home of the Blue Angels. Neat, sometime, you can see them practice. They do have a couple of decent RV parks near the interstate.

[Loc]

JDUB,

Just put on the big boy pants and have Rae drive that leg.

[phorner]

You guys sure know how to make this stretch of highway sound appealing ....

Searing heat

Mountain grades

Banditos

Check point hassles

Closed rest areas

Traffic congestion

Did I miss anything ???

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Apparently the road surface is in good shape.

[phorner]

Apparently the road surface is in good shape.

Ahh yes, ..... and there it is..... at least ONE redeeming value....:D

[Jerry Winchester]

I am making this run by starting the day at the rest area north of El Paso on the New Mexico state line, so out goal is a late lunch at Mi Nidito in Tucson - my new favorite Mexican food place. That puts us leaving there around 3:30, so manning up for San Diego so I can arrive at Chula Vista at O'dark thirty doesn't make much sense. I've made this run 3 times in the dark but never stayed anywhere. I'm liking the casino option as it should be cool there.