Tips for parking and living in your Skoolie

[swingbean]

Fellow schemers and scoundrels:

Over the summer I will be interning on a minimum-wage stipend at a startup in San Rafael, Marin County, California. Marin is known for its absurdly high housing prices (even for the SF Bay Area). I'm facing options like paying $850/month for a room, and that doesn't include kitchen rights. I'm facing the same price for a small spot at the only trailer park that does long stays.

I am wondering if anyone has suggestions about finding places to park my Skoolie, a converted 28-foot bluebird, in a community that is otherwise out of my price range.

How do you keep out of trouble with the police and locals? How do I find that secluded spot where I can sleep at night and store my bus during the day? Let me know if you have any ideas!

Thanks,
Roger L
Engineer looking for a spot

[crazycal]

Good luck trying to stay/sleep in a schoolbus in Marin. That's like trying to hide a purple elephant in a 7/11. Once you are on the radar of the popo, you're not getting off. The area is too small. You might come home and find out your bus was towed. Have you tried to find a room on Airbnb?

[jazty]

You could also put out an ad on Craigslist asking to "rent" a driveway. My brother has done this in the past with success.

[crazycal]

I've lived in Marin County. I'm just telling it like it is. If you find something in the less populated outskirts, you might find something but still unlikely. It sucks but I know from first hand experience that the beauty of schoolbuses is not appreciated.

[The-Breeze]

While we're on the subject of the Bay Area...one of my first stops when we get on the road will be to go visit my daughter and her family (whom I haven't seen for over 7 years or so). Anyone got any input on finding a place to hang for a few days in ALAMEDA? I would imagine, it'll probably be worse than a place in Marin County.

[crazycal]

it'll probably be worse than a place in Marin County.

Not likely.

[Stu & Filo. T]

I think the secret is to keep moving every couple days then you don't draw attention, setup in one spot then you get noticed

[lornaschinske]

Contact the marinas. Some marinas have RV spots but they don't advertise them. You learn things like this when you grow up living less than 5 miles from the ocean and less than 2.4 miles from an Intracoastal Waterway.

[dond]

Fairgrounds often have spaces.

[headinthetrees]

Try going north. Marin is a very high priced area and along with it come high priced egos. In a world of nothing but high-end foreign cars, your bus will definitely stand out. However, if you go a little north, say santa rosa, cotati, sebastapol, etc, you will find a lot more understanding people. Its a short and easy bus ride from anywhere near 101 to work.

[quivahs]

I travel with various circuses and carnivals and inevitably always end up in the bay area. With a clean driving record and no issues, even in NYC, I was surprised that within a weeks time I had accumulated almost ten parking tickets. All of which have been thrown out (by the court and myself). Skoolies (RVs) are supposed to be parked on private property or a designated place.Many neighborhoods have covenances regulating the storage of RVs. Expect a ticket in the mail from the golden gate bridge as well. And yes Marin is a rather horrible place for anyone not fitting their mold.