Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay

We stayed at Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay in Chula Vista, California. (Campground Reviews listing.)

Party city. We don’t like parties.

Dates:

  • Check in: 2023-04-08
  • Check out: 2023-04-16
  • 8 nights

Weather:

  • Mostly cloudy, one day with drizzle
  • High temps ranging between 57-70°F, lows around 48-52°F
  • Negligible wind, up to 16 MPH gusts

Noise:

  • Some distant freeway noise
  • No road noise
  • No train noise most of the time; once or twice distant noise
  • Frequent helicopter noise from a naval air station
  • Lots of neighbor noise (this was a bit more of a “fun” resort than we usually prefer)

Site:

  • #16, back-in, concrete
  • Needed to disconnect toad; parked next to coach
  • Level
  • Small site: about 50 feet long by about 25 feet wide
  • Patio table, chairs, plumbed-in gas fire pit on concrete
  • Shrubs (in need of a trim)

Utilities:

  • 50 amp power, conveniently located
  • 45 PSI water, conveniently located
  • Good sewer connection, conveniently located (1 10-foot pipe needed)

Internet (in usage priority order):

  • T-Mobile: 35-46 Mbps down, 13-21 Mbps up, 30 ms ping
  • AT&T: 1 Mbps down, 3 Mbps up, 45 ms ping
  • Verizon: 2 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up, 45 ms ping
  • Starlink: not used
  • Campground Wi-Fi: not used

Amenities:

  • Central garbage compactor, not very convenient (a resort really should have garbage collection from site)
  • Swimming pool & hot tubs
  • Onsite cafe with delivery to site

Our review on Campground Reviews:

Party central, not the place for quiet contemplation

This was the most expensive place we’ve ever stayed and I really wanted to like it but wound up counting the hours until we departed. Perhaps it was because it was spring break, but this resort was packed with rowdy groups and masses of kids. You could hardly drive down the road without dodging the corn hole games, kids on bikes, adults on skateboards, etc. And, oh the noise, noise, noise. If the neighbors weren’t blasting their music or shrieking, the park itself had music blaring from the pool area or roving the streets. We work during the week, so it was unconducive to concentration. It’s petty, but the biggest complaint is that for $165/night they should have trash pickup at your site. They have one dumpster/compactor and it’s equally inconvenient wherever you are in the park. They also have annoyingly planted trees right next to the patio on the northern sites along the fence. We couldn’t get between our front door and the patio without squeezing between the tree and our slide. On the plus side, the cafe and bar were nice and we enjoyed several meals there, and the plumbed-in gas firepit at our site was a nice addition. The Bayshore Bikeway runs right by the park and it was nice to ride around the bay. We camped at Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay in a Motorhome. 

Tip for Other Campers: San Diego Zoo is worth the hype (order your tickets online to save a few bucks and avoid the line at the park), and Balboa Park has so much to see. The Cabrillo National Monument is also a great place to check out.

Interactive map; the RV park is too new for the satellite image as of this writing, but may be there if you check later:

Campground map:

Map

Our site:

Our site

Our site

Our site

Our site

We rode our bikes:

Our site

This shrub was touching our coach; I trimmed it back so we could access the patio:

Our site

A nice plumbed-in fire pit:

Fire pit

Fire pit

We like places with on-site restaurants, even better when they will deliver to our site, which we took advantage of on travel day; we’re always tired then, so nice to not to have to cook or go out:

Food delivery to site

We went to the cafe a few times:

Cafe and bar

Cafe and bar

Bar

Breakfast:

Breakfast

Another day, free drinks from tokens given on arrival:

Free drinks

Dinner:

Dinner

Dinner

Another breakfast:

Breakfast

This place had a definite party vibe, including roving live music on our first day:

Roving live music

Other sites:

Other sites

Cabins:

Cabins

Cabins

Cabins

Concrete stamps

Cabins

Community center

Game rooms

The Commons

The Commons

Pool area:

Pool area

Pool area

Pool area

Pool area

Finally, another view of our site, with our coach packed up and ready to leave:

Our site

This was a nice, new resort. We enjoyed the convenience of the cafe. But we didn’t enjoy the noisy neighbors, with lots of people having large gatherings in front of their sites (and on the roads), with loud talking, loud children, and loud music. Not our kind of place.

Disney 2023: Disney California Adventure

After taking a day off (to work), we went to Disney California Adventure Park.

We enjoyed the tram again:

Tram

Entrance:

Entrance

Trolly:

Trolly

Waterfall

Avengers Campus:

Avengers Campus

Spiderman:

Spiderman

Spiderman

Spiderman

Spiderman

Spiderman

Avengers

Jenn and David

Goofy

Super store

Roving music:

Roving music

Trolly:

Trolly

Jenn and David

100 year anniversary:

100 year anniversary

We had lunch at Wine Country Trattoria:

Wine Country Trattoria

Menu

Beverages

Food

Food

Dessert

Jenn and David

We got soaked on Grizzly River Run:

Grizzly River Run

Grizzly River Run

Grizzly River Run

Grizzly River Run

Pixar Pier:

Pixar Pier

Pixar Pier

Pixar Pier

David and Jenn

Characters

Video:

Music:

Music

The Soarin’ ride was having a special show over California:

Soarin'

Soarin'

Soarin'

Minnie Mouse

Mickey’s PhilharMagic:

Mickey's PhilharMagic

Cars Land:

Cars Land

Radiator Springs

Model:

Model

Cozy Cone Motel:

Cozy Cone Motel

Water feature

Popcone snack:

Popcone snack

Mater:

Mater

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree ride:

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure ride:

Cars Land

We went to Pym Test Kitchen for dinner:

Pym Test Kitchen

Pym Test Kitchen

Pym Test Kitchen

Back to Cars Land in the evening to enjoy the neon:

Cars Land

Cars Land

Cars Land

Cars Land

Cars Land

Cars Land

Cars Land

Captain America:

Captain America

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!:

Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!

Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!

Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!

Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!

World of Color – ONE:

World of Color – ONE

World of Color

World of Color

World of Color

World of Color

World of Color

World of Color

World of Color

World of Color

World of Color

World of Color

World of Color

Radiator Springs Racers ride in Cars Land:

Cars Land

Radiator Springs Racers

Radiator Springs Racers

Radiator Springs Racers

Jenn and David

Mickey and Disney:

Mickey and Disney

Magic Band light effects:

Magic Band light effects

Locker:

Locker

Fountain:

Fountain

Fountain

Disney 2023: Disneyland

We visited Disneyland for Jenn’s birthday last year, and were in the area again this year, so decided to visit again, this time to celebrate our anniversary (28 years, if you’re curious). And just three days at the two parks, instead of five like last year.

First up was Disneyland, on our anniversary.

We were very pleased that the trams were running again; last year, they had suspended the trams due to COVID, so we had to walk the half mile or so from the parking garage to the resort. Which is not much compared to walking around in Disneyland, but not the best way to start or finish the experience:

Tram

Tram

On the tram:

Tram

First thing after entering Disneyland is a photo op below the train station (once again we got the Genie+ service, which includes PhotoPass photos all over the park):

Photo op below train station

David and Jenn

Celebrating their 100 year anniversary:

100 year anniversary

Main street:

Main street

Main street

Main street

Castle:

Castle

No one selfies like Gaston:

No one selfies like Gaston

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge area:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge area

Another photo op:

Photo op

Photo op

Photo op

We had a lunch reservation at Oga’s Cantina:

Oga's Cantina

Oga's Cantina

David and Jenn

DJ

DJ

Drinks

Food

Ronto Roasters:

Ronto Roasters

Shops:

Shops

The Mandalorian and Grogu:

The Mandolorian and Grogu

X-Wing

Speeder

We enjoyed the Rise of the Resistance ride (again; we did most of the rides last year too; we used the Genie+ service to snag LightningLanes for most of the rides, where available, to minimize waiting):

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Then went immediately to the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride:

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon

A snack at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo:

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo

A duck and several ducklings:

Duck and ducklings

Mark Twain Riverboat:

Mark Twain Riverboat

Mark Twain Riverboat

Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia:

Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia

Sailing Ship Columbia:

Sailing Ship Columbia

Pirates of the Caribbean ride:

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the CaribbeanPirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Splash Mountain ride:

Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain

After that, a nice gentle Jungle Cruise was just the thing:

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Haunted Mansion:

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Star Tours:

Star Tours

Star Tours

Star Tours

Star Tours shop

Then we went on the Mark Twain Riverboat for a cruise around the Rivers of America:

Mark Twain Riverboat

Mark Twain Riverboat

Mark Twain Riverboat

Jenn

Mark Twain Riverboat

A duck on a moose back:

Duck on moose

Mark Twain Riverboat

Mark Twain Riverboat

For our anniversary dinner, we had a reservation at Blue Bayou Restaurant, overlooking the start of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride:

Blue Bayou Restaurant

Here’s the menu:

Menu

Apertizer

Salad

Main

Dessert

Dessert

Castle at night:

Castle at night

Viewing area for the evening Fantasmic! show (included with the dinner package):

Viewing area for Fantasmic!

The show featured projections on water, fire (but not dragon on fire), fireworks, dancing, etc:

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Castle

Shopping

Mickey photo op:

Mickey photo op

Mickey photo op


A couple of days later, we went back to Disneyland a second time.

The Pixar ball at the parking area:

Pixar ball

We bought Magic Bands, which were very useful; they can be used to get into the parks, access fast lanes, link photos, and have bonus interactions, among other things:

Magic Band

Main Street:

Main Street

We used the lockers; a great way to bring in extra clothing, batteries, etc, but not have to lug them around all day:

Lockers

The castle and Disney statue:

Castle and Disney

Castle

First stop was Toontown:

Toontown

Toontown

Toontown

Jenn

A new ride, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway:

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

A video of the fun entrance to the ride:

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

It was rather dodgy, though; near the end of the ride it shut down, and all the lights came on. We had to wait several minutes before being evacuated:

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

We were given a credit to come back later, which we did. The ride seemed to go down frequently. And when we went on it the second time, it had long pauses towards the end. Some more debugging needed, I think. Still, it was a mostly fun experience, and fascinating to get a behind-the-scenes peek.

Red Rose Taverne for lunch:

Lunch

Try the grey stuff, it’s delicious (it really is):

Lunch

Captain Hook:

Captain Hook

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ride:

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Matterhorn mountain:

Matterhorn mountain

Matterhorn mountain

We went for a sail on the Sailing Ship Columbia tall ship:

Sailing Ship Columbia

Sailing Ship Columbia

Sailing Ship Columbia

Below decks:

Sailing Ship Columbia

Sailing Ship Columbia

Sailing Ship Columbia

Sailing Ship Columbia

Canoe

Village

Pirates of the Caribbean, again:

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

We got Dole whip snacks from the Tiki Juice Bar:

Tiki Juice Bar

Dole whip

Castle:

Castle

Castle

A ride on the King Arthur Carrousel:

King Arthur Carrousel

King Arthur Carrousel

Sword in the Stone

Character

Going for a spin at the Mad Tea Party:

Mad Tea Party

Mad Tea Party

Gotta subject ourselves to the earworm of It’s a Small World:

It's a Small World

It's a Small World

It's a Small World

It's a Small World

Tiny NZ representation:

It's a Small World

“Magic Happens” parade:

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Alien Pizza Planet for dinner:

Pizza Planet

Indiana Jones Adventure ride:

Indiana Jones Adventure

Nighttime Jungle Cruise:

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Why not another kiddie ride, Winnie the Pooh:

Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh

Finishing the evening with fireworks:

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

A fun visit to Disneyland!

Orangeland RV Park

We stayed at Orangeland RV Park in Orange (Los Angeles), California. (Campground Reviews listing.)

Our second stay here; a nice park, just a few miles from Disneyland.

Dates:

  • Check in: 2023-04-01
  • Check out: 2023-04-08
  • 7 nights

Weather:

  • Sunny
  • High temps ranging between 64-82°F, lows around 44-54°F
  • Little wind; one day of 28 MPH gusts

Noise:

  • No freeway noise, some road noise
  • No train noise, but distant horns a few times
  • Some neighbor noise

Site:

  • #96, pull-through, asphalt
  • Didn’t need to disconnect toad; parked in front of coach
  • Fairly level
  • Small site: about 50 feet long by about 30 feet wide
  • Patio table & chairs on asphalt
  • Orange trees that can be harvested

Utilities:

  • 50 amp power, somewhat conveniently located
  • 80 PSI water, conveniently located
  • Unthreaded sewer connection, conveniently located (1 10-foot pipe needed)

Internet (in usage priority order):

  • T-Mobile: 78-86 Mbps down, 2 Mbps up, 30 ms ping
  • AT&T: 20 Mbps down, 6-18 Mbps up, 30 ms ping
  • Verizon: 21-28 Mbps down, 16-23 Mbps up, 50 ms ping
  • Starlink: not used
  • Campground Wi-Fi: not used

Amenities:

  • Garbage collection from site
  • Swimming pool & hot tub
  • Package delivery to office
  • Just a few miles from Disneyland

Our review on Campground Reviews:

The place to stay for Disneyland

This was our second time staying here, and I would happily stay again. For an urban setting so close to Disneyland and other attractions, they could easily charge more than they do. This park is genuinely a park, with lovely landscaping and attention to service. We had site 96, which was an interestingly located pull-through site right at the end of a row close to the office. The only downside to the location is there is no privacy screening between your living area and the check-in area. There’s entertainment value in watching the flow of people coming into the park, but I would’ve preferred a nice trellis or hedge to look at. We also enjoyed being close enough to civilization to order food delivery and get some service done on our rig while here. But the main draw, of course, is being a 10-minute drive to Disneyland. We camped at Orangeland RV Park in a Motorhome.

Interactive map:

Campground map:

Map

They also have a map on a wall showing where all of the fruit trees are:

Fruit tree map

Our site:

Our site

Our site

Our site

Our site

Our site was near the registration area:

Our site

Setting up our site; here’s a video of a leveling jack going down:

Griddle, filters, and water softener stored for transport:

Filters and water softener

Setting up utilities:

Setting up utilities

Setting up utilities

Utilities

A nice thing about being in a city; we can get pizza delivery:

Pizza delivery

Working outside:

Working outside

The registration area was so close:

Registration area

A nice thing about this park is they offer trash pickup from the site (and even provide a bag):

Trash pickup

The Orangeland RV Park entrance:

Orangeland RV Park entrance

Entrance

Office:

Office

Registration area:

Registration area

Pool:

Pool

Pool

Hot tub (which was undergoing renovations last time we were here):

Hot tub

Putting area:

Putting area

Games:

Games

Pool table:

Pool table

Outdoor livng area:

Outdoor livng area

Outdoor kitchen:

Outdoor kitchen

Covered playground:

Covered playground

The local bus goes through the park:

Bus

A Tiffin Phaeton arrival:

Tiffin Phaeton arrival

Other RV sites:

Other RV sites

Other RV sites

Travel from Yermo to Palm Desert, California

We drove our coach 146 miles, about three hours of driving, from Yermo, California to Palm Desert, California.

Here’s the map route, heading south:

Route

Interactive map, showing our stops and other potential stops:

Truck lane:

Truck lane

Fuel stop:

Fuel stop

Diesel

Paladin in the steps:

Paladin in the steps

Highway CA-247:

Highway CA-247

Highway CA-247

Highway CA-247

Highway CA-247

Highway CA-247

Cafe 247, an interesting lunch stop with parking big enough for us:

Cafe 247

They were having a motorcycle gathering, which made it feel like a biker bar, but wasn’t:

Cafe 247

Cafe 247

Cafe 247

Cafe 247

Cafe 247

Cafe 247

Cafe 247

We bought a loaf from Banana Bread Man out front:

Banana Bread Man

Cafe 247

Cafe 247

Cafe 247

Highway CA-247

Highway CA-247

8% grade:

8% grade

Highway CA-62:

Highway CA-62

Wind turbines:

Wind turbines

Mountains:

Mountains

Palm Springs:

Palm Springs

Our destination:

Our destination

Our destination

Peggy Sue’s Diner

While staying in Yermo, California, we had dinner at Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner, a classic roadside diner built in 1954, and restored with lots of movie memorabilia. And a 5 & Dime store and dinosaur park.

Peggy Sue's Diner

Peggy Sue's Diner

Peggy Sue's Diner

Peggy Sue's Diner

Peggy Sue's Diner

Peggy Sue's Diner

Peggy Sue's Diner

Menu:

Menu

Menu

Menu

Peggy Sue's Diner

Malt shake:

Malt shake

Beverage

Jenn’s French dip and curly fries:

Jenn's French dip and curly fries

My Hawaiian burger, curly fries, and potato salad:

My Hawaiian burger and curly fries

Peggy Sue's Diner

Peggy Sue's Diner

Peggy Sue's Diner

5 and Dime store:

5 and Dime store

5 and Dime store

Diner-saur park:

Diner-saur park

Diner-saur park

Diner-saur park

Diner-saur park

Diner-saur park

Diner-saur park

Diner-saur park

Diner-saur park

Diner-saur park

Diner-saur park

Diner-saur park

Travel from Death Valley to Yermo, California

We drove our coach 169 miles, about three hours of driving, from Death Valley, California to Yermo, California.

Here’s the map route, heading south:

Route

Interactive map, showing our stops:

Leaving the campground:

Leaving campground

Leaving Death Valley:

Leaving Death Valley

Paladin sleeping:

Paladin sleeping

Leaving Death Valley

Leaving Death Valley

Paladin in an unapproved place; he was freaking out a bit; sometimes he forgets about travel days:

Paladin in an unapproved place

“Thanks for Experiencing Your National Park”:

Thanks for Experiencing Your National Park

Bumpy road:

Bumpy road

Motorcycles:

Motorcycles

The sign could use a refresh:

The sign could use a refresh

Mountain

Bumpy road

A roadside stop for a break:

Stop

Interesting hills:

Interesting hills

Interesting hills

A straight road; using a high zoom really emphasizes the bumps:

Straight road

Mountains

Lunch stop in Baker, with a nice big truck/RV parking area; always appreciated:

Lunch stop in Baker

The World’s Tallest Thermometer:

World's Tallest Thermometer

We had lunch at the Mad Greek Cafe:

Mad Greek Cafe

Mad Greek Cafe

Mad Greek Cafe

The Thermometer again:

World's Tallest Thermometer

World's Tallest Thermometer

Zzyzx Road:

Zzyzx Road

Mountains

EddieWorld, apparently California’s largest gas station (looks pretty small compared to Buc-ees in Texas, but we haven’t actually visited either):

EddieWorld

Ghost Town Road:

Ghost Town Road

Our destination:

Our destination

Our destination

The Beatles Love Cirque du Soleil

One night while staying in Las Vegas, we went to the strip for a nice steakhouse dinner and The Beatles Love Cirque du Soleil show.

The Mirage hotel:

The Mirage

The Mirage foyer:

The Mirage foyer

We were early, so played some slot machines, to make an offering to the gods of luck:

Willy Wonka slot machine

Willy Wonka slot machine

Slot machine

Slot machine

Slot machines

Slot machine

Slot machine

Slot machine

Slot machine

Then checked out a swag shop:

Swag shop

And The Beatles Shop:

The Beatles Shop

Then went to the Stack restaurant for dinner:

Stack restaurant

Martinis:

Martinis

Salads:

Salad

Salad

Steaks:

Steak

Steak

Adult tater tots:

Dessert

Desserts:

Dessert

Dessert

Professional photos:

David and Jenn

David and Jenn

Food and beverage:

Food and beverage

The Love show (they were okay with photos, a little unusually, so of course I took a bunch):

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

Love show

The Mirage:

The Mirage