STEALTH CAMPING IN OUR VAN (Santa Cruz & Monterey)
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 25. 07. 2024
- This week we attempt some stealth camping in our van in and around Santa Cruz & Monterey!
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We're Jimmy & Natalie, a couple of kids from South Carolina trying to experience more of the world. Right now, our self-converted Ram Promaster 2500 cargo van is our ticket to travel and we can't wait to see where she takes us!
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~~ Chapters ~~
0:00 - Surprising Free Camping Spot
2:35 - Shark Fin Cove
5:34 - Santa Cruz
7:24 - Sea Lions
9:23 - Struggle to Find Overnight Parking
12:05 - Monterey (a day for love)
13:10 - Toilet in Our Van?
13:37 - Loverâs Point
15:26 - Are We Married?
16:26 - Kissing Rock
18:22 - Rain Got Us Again
I drive these streets everyday, itâs cool seeing other people experience it too
đ€đđ€ Yes what he said đ
Oh man you guys missed Carmel-by-the-Sea!! Just 10 mins south of Monterey. Beautiful downtown by the ocean with a walk path by the ocean. Easy overnight parking at the 24/7 Safeway.
The weather is actually pretty typical for that part of California. I was stationed at Fort Ord (near Monterey) when I first joined the Army, and it rained or was foggy about 2/3 of the time.
That's making a lot more sense the more we stay here, honestly đ
Been here for 30 years in Capitola. Nice of you to come through and check out our beautiful home. Girl next time pick that burrito up. Do not use a fork and a knife.đ
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Awesome stuff
Kissing rocks are cool
I had two pet rocks one time
I had to separate them because I had pebbles all over my house. Lol.
The entire Monterey Bay is a marine sanctuary!! â€â€â€â€â€â€
Sick views!
Y'all hit a killer lunch spot with Las Palmas; I've been eating there my whole life, and the place has been there for waaay longer. Always good.
I don't comment too much but you guys are enjoyable & informative to watch. Thank you for sharing!
My words exactly!!!
Ah thank you!! đ We really enjoy exploring and making these videos so we're really glad you like them! đ
Be careful guys; there are a lot of hidden waves with powerful impact and retrieving waves that could pull you out to sea. Love your videos!!!
Otters actually use rocks to hammer open mussel shells. Sorry about the rain kids!
my father worked on that wharf for over twenty years. to hear it called a pier sets my bones a'rattling, lol!
There's so much to tell you about Monterey, where I grew up and moved to the Yosemite area when I was 33. The original name to Lovers Point was Lovers of Jesus Christ Point. My parents were married on the grassy overlook and my husband proposed to me there. Also, John Denver crashed his plane near by. The wild sea life is sooo very cool. I spent loads of time at Lovers Point. Thank you for memory lane.
Thanks for sharing. It's fun seeing your Santa Cruz experience from my perspective as someone who lives there. The fact that you chose Las Palmas taco bar gives you a great deal of credibility! Happy travels!
Thank you for your endearing and wide eyed enjoyment footage. I have tread on most of the areas you have over 30 years ago when I lived in San Francisco. I'm afraid I have lost the innocence along the way, but can relive it through you 2. THX
We're glad you're enjoying it too! We are doing our best to keep finding new stuff and I hope we never run out đ
Enjoyed from Napa on down. If you can hit San Luis Obispo for Thursday night they have an excellent Farmers Market/Street fair. (I went to school @ Cal Poly SLO way back when).What ever you do you'll have fun.
Hi đ,
It was such a treat to see this amazing video. I was born in Santa Cruz and lived there for 43 years and for economic reasons now we live in Texas.
I miss home so much. And is so beautiful like remember it
Hopefully you have time to drive 17 miles drive in Monterrey is so amazing ,and see Carmel . Thank you again for the bringing a piece of home back to me here Texas
My husband and I met in Fresno, in March. We started dating in June, got engaged the end of July and got married Oct. 30th, 1971. We have been married 51 yrs. It was a different time. Boys were drafted into a war in Vietnam, they HAD no choice to control their lives at all.. They could not got off traveling then. So after being denied a life of your own, it WAS a choice to meet and get married quickly to start a life you were in charge of my husband joined the navy a month after graduating Hi school. He figured he had already wasted 4 yrs. of his life and didn't want to wait any longer.
Whatâs the point đ
@@jezzie1965 you had the freedom to do what you wanted at 18. The Gov't didn't force you to join the military and forced to go to war. There was a draft, you had no choice. That's the POINT! 4 yrs. of your life taken away a young age. U don't know ur history
Sorry you got caught in the rain, but we really need it! Lovers' Point in Pacific Grove (where I live- next to Monterey) was originally called Lovers of Jesus Point. Pacific Grove was a Methodist retreat site in the 1800's, where people would come, and camp in tents in the summer.
Downtown Santa Cruz right by the beach and boardwalk. Love that area, it has great restaurants
It's nice to see you displaying California as the wonderful State it is. I am a Seventh Generation NorCal Resident and really love it here. I also have loved to see other parts of the US and Canada in our RV travels. You two are very lucky to have shaped your lives to do what you are doing. Thanks and please come back!
Itâs a Pride of Lions đ great video, big fan.
Was going to say that as well. Here's something else I found as well while looking around for that. A group of seals can be called: bob, harem, herd, pod, or rookery. I expect like the sealions some of those are used depending on if they are in the water or on shore but in the couple sources I looked at they didn't say. Another interesting one I just ran across is a group of seastars is a constellation đ
I take for granted the accompanying music you add...it's so perfect đ
We live near Sacramento and we love going to Monterey when we vacation. We always go just south of lovers point on one of the pull-outs to feed the local squirrels.
It rains pretty much all winter in California, but then it's dry all summer (hence, the horrible fires). But the silver lining is that you're seeing empty beaches, and you're not getting "knocks" to move during the night. So enjoy the rain because, believe it or not, it's making your trip better. (A couple cheap plastic ponchos will significantly increase the enjoyment factor.)
Sea lions are the regulars at the santa cruz boardwalk pier! Welcome!
Air Lair There, I'm first yay. It's exactly 8am in New Zealand the moment you posted it. In N.Z we use an app called camper mate, it does Australia as well. That was a pretty good episode. It felt like time stood still.
My sister and her husband have been married for 40something years and were together for 9 years before they married. Yâall keep on doing you, b/c itâs working great.
Great travels..stay safe guys!â€â€
Awesome road trip!
love this video so far! feeling the love
Awesome! Excited for a new video!
Video is a Good reminder to appreciate the ocean and cliff overlook views. When living near the coast, can get used to it / forget the wonderfulness. (The crashing wave sound, etc.). Check with M.Alice, for parking spots in Monterey area, if ever back there in the future.
Nice drone view. And good video
Wonderful places. Thanks a lot
I look forward to everyone of your posts. I hope you continue to have a wonderful time. Thank you for showing me places I'll never get a chance to see on my own.
What great places!!!! Good job on choosing them. Xoxo
Great filming.
Very cool! We love seeing what others do in their van! We have a Ford Transit 250 that we travel in - we went the NO BUILD route - this area looks like a fantastic place to call home for an evening! Keep making memories & adventure on! ~Karen & Shannon WOY
Hey sweeties!!! Really enjoyed tagging along with you in your travels.
I soooo love the ocean!!!
Stay safe, warm, dry, and happy!!!
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Glad you enjoyed your visit to my hometown. There are so many beautiful places to see in CA. Safe travels!!!
Enjoyed getting to see the ocean and the sea life near the shore. Those tacos looked delicious loved the crunch sound. Take care and safe travels. Merry Christmas đ
This was really fun to watch since I live in the Santa Cruz mountains. Happy trails .
I love the colors of the ocean at Monterey! I was happy to see the sea lions and otters.
I used to live in Santa Cruz. I go back at least once a year. Love that area a lot.
You two have such a precious relationship! đ Thanks for this vid especially. My late husband and I spent many hours in the Monterey and Big Sur area. Very special place. Thanks for including the wildlife! đ€ đ€
I grew up in Fresno and loved to escape to the coast. From Monterey to Morro Bay, especially, weâre my favorites. Enjoy your travels. Hope the weather clears as you travel south.
Merry Christmas!!!
Nice to my area through a different lens. Donât forget to stop by point lobos or Carmel by the sea, Big Sur or Pfierrer state park/beach.
I love that you two are so close to my home. I cannot wait to stealth camp and start out my solo female journey! Check out Carmel by Monterey if youâre ever back in the area. Carmel is like a little European town.~A
Jimmy and Natalie wow that's is beautiful there California . Enjoy your videos keep them coming. There is so much to see and do in our beautiful country. Enjoy have fun stay safe out there on the roads Take care God bless. Merry Christmas. Both of you .. đđđđđđđ€¶đ€¶đ€¶đ đ âïžâïžâïžââââđđđâïžâïžâïžđ đ đ€¶đ€¶đ€¶
To bad the weather didnât corporate but certainly saw spectacular scenery! Like that you research safe areas to park.Happy Travels All The Best! Merry Christmas đ. Be Well Be Safe & Stay Blessed.
You should stop at Hearst Castle, itâs very interesting. Also Pismo Beach, you can drive on the beach. Pretty cool!!
Welcome to the area. 4th Gen Santa Cruz Native. It can be wet in No California when we have good winters. Itâs not So Cal. Enjoy.
I'm so happy you enjoyed the coast and especially Santa Cruz. I'm just a walking distance away from the wharf and love it so much. So happy I found you your video.
Thank you for sharing..
Great vlog guys, have fun đ
Yessssss slow down lol
I remember doing this walk in 2003 when staying in San Francisco with my aunt and uncle. I'm hoping to go to the US hopefully in spring. đđșđđșđđ
Your video of Shark Fin Beach brought back a lot of fond memories. That was one of my favorite beaches when I was a teenager. But in those days we knew it as Davenport Cove Beach. That was back in the 60s and camping on the beach was not an issue.
Good views of the coast and associated wildlife. Thanks for sharing. Monterey is a great destination. Carmel next door, the Aquarium, 17 mile drive, and for some, Laguna Seca, all make wonderful visits. The coast to the South should make fantastic adds to your experience.
This is the rainy season in California. When it dosen't rain for many months during the summer and also spring it has to rain some time....................
They have lots of sea otters in Monterey you should also visit the Monterey Bay aquarium itâs nice đ , I live in Santa Cruz đ
Another enjoyable video , great scenery and wild life , what's not to like . Marriage is a commitment, you two are obviously committed to each other so it's just a formality.
Our sentiments exactly! đ We love and respect each so much already that marriage looks more like a piece of paper at this point. Although, not saying we won't ever! đđ
Thanks for video! Las palmas taqueria is very good. Good luck in your campaign!
Now you are where I have been many times. I grew up an hour away from Santa Cruz. Iâm four hours away now but my friend and I meet once a year and spend the night. Especially when it gets really hot here in Jackson, CA I try to schedule a beach trip.
Home!! I was born in Los Angeles but lived about 50 years in various places on Monterey Bay. Iâve been gone 9 years and miss it so much! Thank youâ€â€ tons of otters there!
I frequent that mexican restaurant you went too, great food for the price as you said.
Glad you enjoyed the visit in Santa Cruz, recommend coming back in the future during Summer when the Boardwalk is open and there is people everywhere.
I wish I had known you were coming through Monterey. Iâm from there and it would have been fun showing you around. Maybe next time! Enjoy your CA adventureâŠ
Haha a pack of sealions had me giggling i think its called a colony of sealions!! great episode, love the ocean, you can never show too much Ocean đđMerry Christmas from the UK
Happy Christmas!
I think I mentioned Monterey and also hope hope you make it down toward Pismo Beach. Another area you would enjoy. Great video and glad you both are feeling good. Stay safe out there. God Bless
Please go see the Elephant seals just north of Cambria as you make your way down the coast. Perfect time of year for it. Cambria is really a wonderful town as well. Have fun!
đ Hi from New Mexicođ”đ¶ïž. Great video Jimmy and Natalie...Have a wonderful Christmasđđâšâđșđ..You guys are adorable lots of love sent your way. Angels all around you and your home đ
I'm glad you see the value in San Diego. So many people act like it's Los Angeles then Mexico. Definitely worth a visit.
I donât think I could ever get tired of seeing the ocean!!! I was waiting on you all to get the knock at that last location you stayed at lol. Iâm glad that did not happen!! When I stayed in the Walmart parking lot on my last trip, I was also relieved that there were others parking overnight lol. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can avoid the knock when I start traveling!! Great video as always!!
It's always nice to see others there! (At the very least it gives us more time if we see them passing out tickets down the road đ)
Hope you guys went down on the wharf in Monterey and got you some clam chowder....There are a few places there to do so and some of it is soooo good....
Great video. Weather is going to be wet until new years so hopefully you catch a break. This is something I want to do when I retire in 4 years. Jon in Ventura.
Moss landing is just north of Monterey. It has amazing kayaking in Elkhorn slough, basically a river connected to ocean. Sea lions, harbor seals, birds, sea otters all hang out there. More wild life than you would see in Monterey and Santa Cruz in a very condensed area. Itâs also migration season so there are a lot of visiting birds that are not season year round.
December is the wet season. Rain in Cali snow every where else snow.. enjoy
The Monterey Aquarium is wonderful. The California coast is magical. Imagine it before Cali population exploded. I was there back when you felt as though the whole coastline belonged to you, a few random tourists. Amazing. Glad you enjoyed it.
Yes, I live here as well. We definitely know people are camping in vans. Itâs been happening for 2+ years. Have fun !
I was so excited to see this video as you explored Monterey. Itâs our favorite place to visit! I agree with you, I could sit and watch the ocean for hours there. We use that bathroom all the time đ Iâll have to ask my wife about the sign next time she uses it. đ€
O yes and on the coast in Big Sur be sure to check out Nepenthe. Its a true 1960s era California coast experience!! Lots of history!!
Glad yâall liked it. Iâm from Pismo Beach, CA⊠We live in Myrtle Beach, SC for the past 3 years hahađ I thought it was funny yâall was where I grew up and weâre were yâall are from. Have a wonderful trip. Make sure to go to the hot springs in Avila Beach. The one where you can camp in our opinion is pretty cool.
I loved watching see Davenport and Santa Cruz through your eyes! My favorite hang out is Davenport Landing and I live in Santa Cruz & I think you spent the night i the street I live on! There is so much more to Santa Cruz & wish you could have gone in at least one hike to see the view of the ocean from a different vantage! Next time!!!
Ive eaten and love that taco place in SC so many times! Its my favorite taco place EVER
Iâm here now! Also van life-ing. Cheers from WI.
I was a homeless 18 year old when I got to Santa Cruz .
I lived there 40 years .
I love the town .
There is sooo much to see .
Another great video. I think they put the "No overnight parking" signs up during the busy season.
Another vanlifer parked overnight along the same road, the next night there were signs up in a pull off he had just parked at.
I loved your "if you can read this you're cool" sign on your door.
Winter is the rainy season in California, so don't expect it to let up too much. My first winter moving back to CA as an adult, I swear it rained for 8 weeks straight but the spring was amazing and everything was so green it was worth the rain đ. Glad to see you made it to Santa Cruz and Monterey. Huntington Beach would be a nice spot for you all to visit. Can't wait to see how you all like LA. I know it will be an interesting experience for you two. Just stay safe and use your common sense when visiting the area as parts of LA are a bit sketchy. Have fun!!!đđđ
That's good to hear at least that this rain is normal! I'm honestly surprised we made it this far without getting rained on while we're out exploring đ We absolutely loved Santa Cruz & Monterey (Monterey might be our favorite so far) and it'll be fun to see more of CA đ
When did you experience that kind of rain. I was born and raised here, and weâve been in continuous drought mode since 1970. I certainly missed the 8 weeks of rain! đ€Ł
Iâm watching this video because I recognized the background as I was scrolling. (Iâm local.) Iâm glad you enjoyed the area, and I hope youâre safe wherever you travel. That being said, has anyone considered the safety and well-being of local residents? Iâve lived here for 65 years. It used to be much safer, cleaner, and more polite. Camping has become prohibitively expensive, sometimes costing nearly as much as a hotel room. However, there are some stealth campers who leave garbage to be cleaned up by locals. Some visitors to this area behave in an entitled manner, coming across as rude. The worst thing is not knowing who is inside the vans. Often parents must drive their children to destinations that people once walked or rode bike to for a couple of reasons. Tourists do not drive in a considerate manner, and we donât know if the people inside the vans are sexual predators or unsafe for some other reason. The police stop by vans parked nearby and knockâŠand waitâŠand knock. The people inside the vans remain quite and do not respond. Eventually, the police leave. I have not seen anyone get a ticket or get towed. I will have to check into that. Not everyone is as pleasant as this young couple.
@@pattitai1834 This was around 2008 in Yuba City.
Hope you enjoyed Santa cruz!
Omg love it go to Jamaica in your van the blue hole and or glistening waters would be great learn patois and go from there
Thank you very nice video be heavenly safe and blessed my friends â€đ
Lived in Santa Cruz for 19 years. Glad you had fun. Couple small things. Not just seafood on the wharf, also really good Mexican and Italian food and ice cream. Also, always The Wharf (never the pier)
There are some spots that you can sleep in seaside and the old fort ord. I used to be homeless in my van in the seaside/monterey area.
I wish you would try bondockers welcome. It may be good for times like these. Safe travels kids.
This is Santa Cruz in a nutshell. Congrats on finding Delaware and all my fave spots on HWY 1! I live there, more murals! We have so many.
Morro Bay State Park is a nice place to stay, and you can check out the sea otters there.
Hi Jimmy/Natalie, Morro Bay is very nice little town to visit and spend a couple days. Lots of places to park. Check out the Morro Rock. Also, Pismo Beach is very nice, they have long pier and you could drive on the beach. You could camp out on the beach overnight for a small fee. Enjoy!!
Hey Jimmy & Nat. A little hack we discovered for parking in Cali outside of the city is to goto the local Police station and let them know you're traveling through and if you can park next to the station til you take off in the morning. They pretty much always say OK.
What terrific advice!
I had not heard that before but that is super helpful to know! It's been tough finding good spots in a lot of towns so it's good to have a backup plan! Thank you! đ
The squirrels at Lovers Point are determined. I was once sitting on the rock fence eating lunch and one practically crawled into my lap! Even after I put the food away, it kept inching closer to see what I was doing (I was writing).