Pages: 1
Posted by: katstoy
April may be a bit too hot in Glamis. It was unseasonably cool here in So Cal this spring, so what did we do, go to glamis! However, the weekend we picked was 110 at glamis. Needless to say afternoon naps with the AC on and lots of night riding. If it's ealy enough in April you should be ok.
You have several options for Glamis. For "glamis" proper, the closest town is Brawley, CA. It's aobut a 30 to 40 minute ride to the dunes. If you go to the southern poriton of the Algodones dunes, then you're at the Buttercup (Gordon's or Grey's Well Road) Dunes. From there the closest town may acutally be Yuma, AZ. Yuma is about 30 to 40 minutes away. both towns are pretty small with the "ritziest" hotel most likely being a Motel 6ish type place.
Posted by: katstoy
One more thing, go to www.duneguide.com and click on the glamis links. Tons and tons of useful info. There are links for Pismo as well.
Posted by: katstoy
Quote
Originally posted by: 2Fast4U400ex
Sounds like kind of a crappy time of year to go to both, but it's the only time we can all afford it, oh well it will still be awesome im sure. How far is Yuma or El Centro from Glamis. Thanks for all the replies everyone they are really helpful.
From "Glamis" Yuma is maybe 40 to 50 minutes away. Brawley, CA, is closer, about 30 minutes away. Yuma is about 30 minutes from the southern portion of the dune system known as "Buttercup".
If you only get out to CA once in a while, suck it up and go to Glamis. It is awesome, both from the breathtaking scenery of the dunes to the sheer YEE HAA of riding them. Just bring plenty of fluids, ride in tank tops and shorts, take afternoon naps during the hottest part of the day and ride early morning and evening. If you're lucky the weather may still be cool enough to ride.
If it's too unbearable, Ocotillo Wells SVRA is about an hour away. Great spot for trails, no dunes though. I believe that it's one of the largest riding areas around. Just Google "Ocotillo Wells SVRA" and you should get some great info.
Posted by: 2Fast4U400ex
Hey everyone, me and my buddies are planning a 2 week trip to California to Glamis and Pismo from Minnesota. Do you think April would be a good time to go? We were planning on going during February but then money will be too tight for everyone to afford to go. Anything to expect, all of my riding buddies have ridden dunes before (Little Sahara in Oklahoma) What will we need to ride, I think i read that we will need a riding permit that's like $90 or something like that? Is there anything else besides a flag and paddles and licensing? Also we have no idea where things are out there so we are all trying to gather as much information as possible. This is where all of you come in. We would like to stay in a hotel because we are bringing my friends wife and my other friend's sister. So is there cabins or hotels not too far from glamis? We plan on driving a different day to Pismo and riding there a couple days. How many days would you reccomend riding at each place. thank you in advance, any information is better than what we have right now.
Posted by: 2Fast4U400ex
The pulling rig is a 2004 1 ton Chevy pulling a 30ft gooseneck not enclosed (do things get stolen a lot, should we be sure to chain the wheelers or something?, how would that be pulling around in those cities? The owner is a awesome driver but just curious about traffic. I think Oceano is where we were planning on going, we planned on staying a hotel and paying at least 150.00 bucks a night, hopefully that or less. Cheaper the better, but the comforts of a hotel when you are 2,000 miles from home is nice, thanks for in the info on Pismo
Posted by: 2Fast4U400ex
What is the closest Hotel to Glamis??? by the way thank you for all the information so far.
Posted by: 2Fast4U400ex
Sounds like kind of a crappy time of year to go to both, but it's the only time we can all afford it, oh well it will still be awesome im sure. How far is Yuma or El Centro from Glamis. Thanks for all the replies everyone they are really helpful.
Posted by: Raptorflash1
Yuma AZ or El Centro Ca are your best bets for a hotel near Glamis. Glamis will be warm and Pismo cold. Pismo is very crowded on the weekends, damp and choppy sand. Glamis can get crowded on a holiday but but still miles of places to park and then hit the dunes. Gets windy in Glamis as it starts to warm up and there is always an ocean breeze at Pismo. Pismo is about a 7-8 hour drive from Glamis, give or take an hour.
Posted by: predtldrider
You can get alot of info on several websites regarding these places, California State Parks site for Pismo for one. Ive been to Pismo several times, never to Glamis but have friends who have. Double check on the state parks site or email them, but I think out of state registration is good in Pismo, and would be in Glamis as well if that is a state park too. If not, you can order an out of state permit for $20, they mail it to you and you dont have to provide vin or anything, just the $20. Designed for out of state bikes that arent registered at all. We have to register everything here if were going to ride anywhere but private property. State needs their money.
Dont know what type of dune riding you are looking for, Pismo is alot of fun, decent sized place, but somewhat limited challenge wise. There are no huge steep dunes like I hear are in Glamis. Pismo is a great place for family (wife-kids) but still enough hills here and there to avoid boredom for us crazier riders. There is a drag strip at the far end thats pretty fun. I hear Glamis is much bigger, and more challenging, if thats what you want.
Ive been to Pismo in winter months, and in June. Was always nice, June was more windy but didnt detract from riding. April would probably be very nice in Pismo, probably getting pretty hot in Glamis. The usual dune riding gear, goggles for sure, will work.
Pismo is very close to the cities (Oceano, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach) so very convienent for eating, shopping, supplies, hotels, but hotels are very expensive, well over $100 and up a night, and can be hard to get rooms. I hear Glamis is not very near civilization, and more geared for trailer camping if you plan on being there more than a day. Someone whose been can provide driving time from nearest hotel, Im sure.
If your driving out with a covered trailer for the quads, I would recommend sleeping in that at Pismo, unless the hotel prices dont bother you. Thats what I do, there are public toilets if you can handle that (the ladies probably wont) and I would bring lots of bedding or an indoor propane heater as nights get pretty cool. But there is a lot of camping in the dunes and it alows for alot more riding time.
Timewise-couple of days riding in Pismo would be plenty. Spend some time downtown Pismo Beach. Girls will like the shops, eats, etc. San Luis Obispo is not too far a drive to stay if you want to save a little money. You can spend a lot on cruddy hotels in Pismo. For straight out riding I would guess Glamis is going to be time better spent if its not too hot.
Have a good trip!
Posted by: predtldrider
I would chain up everything as soon as you hit the California border. Ive actually had no problems, Ive left quads out all night by the trailer when camping on the dunes. But if your going to leave them on an open trailer at a hotel, I would chain them, or just put them on the corner with a "free" sign on them. Seriously, its not that bad but why take the chance for the price of some chain and locks.
I wouldnt spend much less than $150 a night on hotel or you will probably regret it. As far as the layout, Oceano is the city right next to the dunes, Grover Beach is next, Psimo Beach next, and Arroyo Grande next. But they are all connected and its pretty much the same place, so a hotel in any of those places will probably work, Arroyo Grande being the furthest from the dunes but still not a bad drive. There are a couple of hotels in Oceano and they are right on the road leading to the dunes, and they look pretty nice, but gotta be expensive. There is a pretty good Mexican resturaunt in Oceano also very close to the dunes everybody goes to, it gets crowded in a hurry. If you like pizza, go to Fatty's (Grover Beach I think), little place but great pizza and great price.
I drive a 30' 5th wheel and 14' enclosed behind it, and get around the area OK when I have to. Its not real congested, your rig should be fine.
