Where are safe and free places to park overnight?

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller But as more and more Wal-Marts are built local ordinances are frequently invoked to prohibit them offering said parking. And, when local ordinances don't prohibit OP, owners of larger shopping centers where Wal-Marts are frequently usually prohibit OP.

Originally Posted by floyd

That sounds like California...In the U.S.?...Not so much!

Not just California, There are a number of them in Washington, Oregon and Nevada as well as BC that I know of that you cant overnight at and when the topic has come up previously others have mentioned it to be that way on the East coast both US and Canada as well.

It seems to depend a good deal on how developed the area is the Wal-Mart is located, the same with Cabela's, Bass Pro etc. The larger the town is the more unlikely it is you will be allowed to overnight in the parking lot or if the store is located within a large shopping center.

[Bob Miller]

BTW: Contrary to Post #13, California, "The Golden State" etc. etc., is in the US of A.

Also; WM's in or near popular tourist areas are less apt to be able to allow OP. For example, Chelan, WA, a small Tourist oriented town on a beautiful lake, just got a Wal-Mart, but only after the town council insisted that there be no overnight parking allowed as a condition.

And anywhere near CA beaches... not gonna happen

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

BTW: Contrary to Post #13, California, "The Golden State" etc. etc., is in the US of A.

Also; WM's in or near popular tourist areas are less apt to be able to allow OP. For example, Chelan, WA, a small Tourist oriented town on a beautiful lake, just got a Wal-Mart, but only after the town council insisted that there be no overnight parking allowed as a condition.

And anywhere near CA beaches... not gonna happen

Are you sure CA is in the USA? Many years ago I have migrant working telling me it wasn't possible the CA and the rest of the USA were not part of same country.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

Are you sure CA is in the USA? Many years ago I have migrant working telling me it wasn't possible the CA and the rest of the USA were not part of same country.

He was actually correct. ca is the international code for Canada

[RogerDat]

I think most folks are looking for "in transit" overnight parking rather than at destinations such as beaches or attractions.

I don't think you can generally beat a truckstop from a security standpoint, as long as it's not surrounded by bars, massage parlors or "gentelman" clubs. Prior post about checking out the area applies.

So much depends on the area and not knowing the area entails some risk. Asking a cop is good advice.

Some rest areas are popular with long haul truckers, see a line of parked semi-trucks and I would consider it safer to stay there than some urban rest areas that only get "quick stop" traffic and are empty late at night. Same for rest areas in the middle of nowhere that are empty. Might be peacful but may also look like an opportunity to a criminally inclined person also just passing through.

Those air horns are intense at close range, and they and whistles will draw attention, assuming there is anyone around.

Sad we have to worry about this sort of thing at all. But our brains are the best weapon we have so a little thoughtful worry is a good thing I guess.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by RogerDat

Those air horns are intense at close range, and they and whistles will draw attention, assuming there is anyone around.
.

If your car has an alarm system its a good bet that one the back of the key fob there is a red panic button which will set off the car alarm. Keep your keys within reach when doing short stop overs & your at all concerned.

[Byron Kinnaman]

I think there's less to worry about when stopping overnight than driving on the highways.
We've stayed in Rest Areas, truck stops, Walmart parking lots, and casinos. The general rule is to NOT set chairs, etc. or any way give the appearance of camping. Some states don't permit overnight parking in rest areas, but if there was a line of truck parked late at night I wouldn't hesitate to slip in amongst them. Truck stops, they will usually put you someplace other than with the trucks. Another good rule to follow for Walmart, truck stops, and casinos is to ask before crawling into bed.

In all these place I've felt pretty safe. The worst night was someplace in TX, near Houston, in a Walmart parking lot right across the street from a fire station. There was at least two maybe three call outs during the night. When those sirens go off you wake up.

[Paul Braun]

We had a new Wal-Mart and Sam's Club built in the last seven years. As part of securing the zoning and building permits they had to overcome the objections of neighbors. Issues such as lighting, trucks idling and overnight parking were all negotiated. As you might guess occupied overnight parking was banned. The neighbors were picking on the known Wal-Mart policy to allow overnighting. What is interesting is the ban in our community only applies to Wal-Mart and Sam's. The ban was part of the permit process, drive 1/2 block away and it is perfectly legal to overnight in the Home Depot.

Goes to show you can never know for sure, that is why one of these phone apps is handy to check out what others experience has been. I believe I read somewhere that there is a published version of Wal-Mart overnight parking spots. Handy for those with out internet connections.

[RogerDat]

Originally Posted by Carol H

If your car has an alarm system its a good bet that one the back of the key fob there is a red panic button which will set off the car alarm. Keep your keys within reach when doing short stop overs & your at all concerned.

Taking that key fob with you, in your hand, when you walk up to the rest area facilities or across a parking lot is also a good security measure for anytime or place. Not just overnight parking.

Especially because the car alarm keeps going, irrespective of anything else you might be doing. Such as running or struggling.

[Bob Miller]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

Are you sure CA is in the USA? Many years ago I have migrant working telling me it wasn't possible the CA and the rest of the USA were not part of same country.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Always consider the source of information.

There is a certain group that claims that they "Own" California, that it was taken from them illegally in 1848, and that they want it back. But that group seems to have forgotten who they stole it from in the first place.....

Same problem seems to happen in New Mexico, where they have to put USA right on the license plates.

A Solution: In as much as some of Texas wants to cede from the Union, maybe we can just give back Texas and 100 dead chickens as a swap. But, considering the current economy, that might be a bit generous on the chicken part. (LOL)

[Raz]

The Canadians want California? Why?

[Bob Miller]

Well, it would slightly double the population and they would get a lot of gardeners for year round landscaping tasks, not to mention a lot of really bad hockey players

[floyd]

So, how do you enforce an overnight parking ban when the store is open 24hrs?
Byron is right, there is more to worry about on the highway,especially if you should be sleeping!
We don't carry dogs or guns, but you just don't want challenge the Angels on guard. We sleep safe and sound.

[Bob Miller]

When Paul Blart, Mall Cop, is on duty, nothing escapes his all-knowing gaze.....

Seems he loves waiting until you turn off your lights and then, about an hour later, just when your are well asleep, comes to knock on your door. And, in as much as you are usually parked on private property, he is can ask you to leave.....

And if you don't turn off your lights, he will come to visit and be sure you are OK. Either way, you get to move.

As you might guess, in years gone by, I have been kicked out of some of the nicest parking lots in town.... So, I am both older and wiser now.

[cpaharley2008]

Any business that has deliveries via semi's will have them arriving at anytime and if closed, they will sit and idle/sleep until the store opens. Not sure if that is violating the no overnite parking rule if they are delivering waiting. I also have been known to stop at a Wallyworld while undertow to purchase items, how do they know if I'm inside the store or inside the camper. Rules are only as good as the enforcement thereof.

[Byron Kinnaman]

If staying in business parking lot, I want to say in one that's open all night. Then I can always say I'm shopping. I usually purchase something also, then I have a receipt to show that I was shopping. I've never be questioned.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

-------------------------------------------------------------

Always consider the source of information.

There is a certain group that claims that they "Own" California, that it was taken from them illegally in 1848, and that they want it back. But that group seems to have forgotten who they stole it from in the first place.....

Same problem seems to happen in New Mexico, where they have to put USA right on the license plates.

A Solution: In as much as some of Texas wants to cede from the Union, maybe we can just give back Texas and 100 dead chickens as a swap. But, considering the current economy, that might be a bit generous on the chicken part. (LOL)

I always thought CA was going to break off and go into the ocean.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

The Canadians want California? Why?

Well its actually only a sub group in the Vancouver area who figure that as we are already known as Hollywood North we may as well grab the real thing. Besides a great many of us spend 4 or 5 months every winter there anyways.... not to mention the cheaper housing has a big appeal.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Any business that has deliveries via semi's will have them arriving at anytime and if closed, they will sit and idle/sleep until the store opens. Not sure if that is violating the no overnite parking rule if they are delivering waiting. I also have been known to stop at a Wallyworld while undertow to purchase items, how do they know if I'm inside the store or inside the camper. Rules are only as good as the enforcement thereof.

And proof of a bad rule is strict enforcement!

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I also have been known to stop at a Wallyworld while undertow to purchase items, how do they know if I'm inside the store or inside the camper. Rules are only as good as the enforcement thereof.

Well if its after 9PM and the store is closed that might be a big clue. I have not actually seen any that are open around the clock on the west coast except for a few weeks at Christmas time. Not saying there arent any but suspect they may be likely to be in a big city with no RV parking to start with.