Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

California Coast Road-Trip Must-Sees

Search

California Coast Road-Trip Must-Sees

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 27th, 2017, 09:51 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
California Coast Road-Trip Must-Sees

Currently planning a roadtrip with a couple friends up the California coast from LA possibly all the way to Washington. What are some more off-the-beaten-path must-sees along the way? We're all young guys so anything requiring physical exertion/thrill-seeking is definitely on the table as well. Any ideas are great!
jasmoker is offline  
Old Feb 27th, 2017, 09:52 PM
  #2  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Also as far as length, all we know is for sure a couple weeks.
jasmoker is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 03:14 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,904
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When are you planning this trip? Right now there are still parts of the coast road between LA and Monterey that are closed and probably will be for a long time due to storm damage.
emalloy is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 06:02 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,456
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
San Francisco might be a good stop along the way.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley
StuDudley is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 06:27 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The redwoods? Oregon dune buggies? There are a few places with zip lines, if that's of interest.
marvelousmouse is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 09:20 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,346
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Close to Florence Oregon you could sand board at a sand board park, go horse back riding on the beach, ride the dune buggies.

My favorite beach is Heceta Head ( also known as Devils Elbow).
There is a nice hike up to the lighthouse. If you want a longer hike, there is a trail to a secluded beach starting from behind the lighthouse.
sunbum1944 is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 09:36 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Pfeiffer bridge south of Big Sur will need to be rebuilt, the road is permanently interrupted until at least 2018.

On the Oregon coast our favorite lodgings are www.innatottercrest.com
michelhuebeli is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 09:46 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
oh wow! the options are endless! for our trip we did some of the obvious stops, but I will list a few just in case you aren't aware:

headed up from LA the central California coast has some iconic beach towns that are more touristy (malibu, Sanata Monica), but we had the best meal at Splash Cafe in Pismo Beach so I would recommend stopping there. and along your drive to Big Sur, make sure you stop in San Simeon to see the elephant seals. McWay Falls is also not a hidden gem but a must see in my book as your drive through Big Sur.

The Oregon coast is a beautiful drive. Take your time and stop at all the scenic overlooks. we found some hidden gem hikes just off the highway that we loved. Cannon Beach with the iconic Haystack Rock is a must see, as well as Seaside, Astoria (home of the Goonies!), Tillamock, Yachats, and Florence, just to name a few fun towns to stop and explore.

Olympic National park in WA is still hands down my favorite hiking memory of all time and would a beautiful end to your road trip. So much to see and do here but Hurricane Ridge was our favorite hike.
PlishBrown is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 10:13 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
McWay Falls is currently not accessible from the south or north. Right now Hwy 1 is only open a short distance north from Cambria and a short distance south from Monterey. There's an over 60 mile stretch that's currently closed.
Patty is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 11:13 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,200
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Hearst Castle
Winchester Mystery House
a few of the California Missions
???
suze is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 11:33 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Monterey Aquarium and Hearst Castle, Winchester Mystery House was a snooze.
Wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley north of Santa Barbara is always fun.
You will as mentioned have to cut over from Cambria to the 101 and then back over to Monterey since the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge is damaged beyond repair per Caltrans and a new bridge needs to be built.
jamie99 is offline  
Old Mar 6th, 2017, 05:15 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Point Lobos, just south of Carmel.
lynni is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
spanos
Africa & the Middle East
5
Dec 21st, 2014 01:25 AM
Tenebrius
Africa & the Middle East
4
May 8th, 2012 04:20 AM
wenday
Africa & the Middle East
4
Aug 9th, 2011 09:33 AM
seanmh
Africa & the Middle East
6
Dec 15th, 2010 01:49 AM
Denzola
Africa & the Middle East
4
Feb 13th, 2008 05:11 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -