Me and streetdocking

If you’ve been following me more than a couple of years you know I’ve added streetdocking (spending nights in cities rather than the boonies or campgrounds) to my nomad life.  

A fellow nomad who spends nearly all his time in populated areas gave me the tips and the confidence to give it a try. Well, another try, actually. Years ago I did a paranoia-filled week in San Diego when the atmosphere didn’t feel very tolerant. I swore off streetdocking after getting The Knock in Imperial Beach, and up near Monterey.

But delivering my late friend’s ashes to Vancouver Island ment I needed to find places to stay along the way — free places. So, when a day’s drive left me far from suitable boondocking sites, I stayed in towns. As my friend advised, once I got north of Los Angeles the locals were very tolerant of strangers sleeping on their streets. 

Here are some samples of the types of places I overnighted, or even spent several nights.

Down by the docks

On the edge of town

By a park (and dumpsters)

On the main drag

A block from a bay

Among other work trucks

This is where I was last night. It’s a dead-end street with self storage on one side, a couple of small offices and vacant lots on the other. The fence and trees blocked some of the strong winds, the road was rather level, and there was almost no traffic—and no problems.

I’ll be streetdocking in the Pacific Northwest through the summer, like last year. At least that’s the plan.