Driving along west coast from Seattle to LA
Jun 19th, 2010, 08:26 AM
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Driving along west coast from Seattle to LA
My wife and I will be flying into Seattle the week after Labor Day and driving from Seattle to LA.. We don't hike, camp, fish, climb, bike, or do much outdoors stuff except to view beautiful scenery. We are not traveling with children and are allowing about 17 days for this trip.
An outline of our very tentative schedule is:
Days 1-3 Seattle area
Day 4 - Ferry to Olympic peninsular Port Townsend, Port Angeles and hotel on the way to Forks, WA
Day 5 - Forks, Ilwaco, Astoria.
Day 6 - Astoria, Tillamook, Coos Bay
Day 7 - Coos Bay and Gold Beach.
Day 8 - Jet boat on Rouge River and drive down the coast to Crescent City, CA
and Redwood NP
Day 9 - Drive to Redding CA, Shasta Lake Dam. Then drive to Sacramento.
Day 10 - Full day in Napa. (We're not winery lovers, so we'll only go to 2 or 3)
Day 11 - Muir Woods NP and San Francisco.
Day 12 -13 Full days in SF. Start drive toward Salinas.
Day 14- 15 Drive down PCH to Santa Barbara making all stops along the way.
Day 16 -17 Full days in LA (We've been here before)
Day 18 - Fly home
Did we allow enough (or too much) time? Any suggestions for restaurants/motels along this route that we should see or avoid? What time does it get dark on the left coast at that time of year? What is the "real feel" weather (I can't get that from Weatherundergound)? What are the road conditions along Rt.101? Lanes? Construction? Traffic? Anything else that can effect the timing of the trip. The only time constraints I have is the return date of my flight. This has not been determined yet and depends on the feedback I get from my online travel friends.
Any and all input is appreciated
An outline of our very tentative schedule is:
Days 1-3 Seattle area
Day 4 - Ferry to Olympic peninsular Port Townsend, Port Angeles and hotel on the way to Forks, WA
Day 5 - Forks, Ilwaco, Astoria.
Day 6 - Astoria, Tillamook, Coos Bay
Day 7 - Coos Bay and Gold Beach.
Day 8 - Jet boat on Rouge River and drive down the coast to Crescent City, CA
and Redwood NP
Day 9 - Drive to Redding CA, Shasta Lake Dam. Then drive to Sacramento.
Day 10 - Full day in Napa. (We're not winery lovers, so we'll only go to 2 or 3)
Day 11 - Muir Woods NP and San Francisco.
Day 12 -13 Full days in SF. Start drive toward Salinas.
Day 14- 15 Drive down PCH to Santa Barbara making all stops along the way.
Day 16 -17 Full days in LA (We've been here before)
Day 18 - Fly home
Did we allow enough (or too much) time? Any suggestions for restaurants/motels along this route that we should see or avoid? What time does it get dark on the left coast at that time of year? What is the "real feel" weather (I can't get that from Weatherundergound)? What are the road conditions along Rt.101? Lanes? Construction? Traffic? Anything else that can effect the timing of the trip. The only time constraints I have is the return date of my flight. This has not been determined yet and depends on the feedback I get from my online travel friends.
Any and all input is appreciated
Jun 19th, 2010, 08:50 AM
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I think you are covering too much ground in too short a time. Two days from Forks to Coos Bay is crazy. I would drive down Astoria and spend the day looking around the town, visting a brewery, see the column and Fort Clatsop. Spend the night in Cannon Beach and explore Cannon, Ecola St Park and Oswald West St Park. The Oregon Coast is gorgeous and deserves much more time (check out Three Capes Loop, Pacific City and the Pelican, tons of light houses, great beaches, history, etc. Skip Shasta, more nights in fewer places. Your trip will be all driving and just a blurr.
I would do 3 days in Seattle
Drive to Astoria ASAP, skip most of WA (I live in WA, its ok)
A day in Astoria and Cannon Beach area
Leisurely drive down thte Oregon Coast - 3 days
Rogue River - 1 day and night
Redwood NP - 1 day and night
Napa - 2 days and nights
Skip Shasta - way out of the way
SF - 3 days
PCH - 3 days
LA- 2 days if you must. I would skip LA too, but it does have some good food.
I would do 3 days in Seattle
Drive to Astoria ASAP, skip most of WA (I live in WA, its ok)
A day in Astoria and Cannon Beach area
Leisurely drive down thte Oregon Coast - 3 days
Rogue River - 1 day and night
Redwood NP - 1 day and night
Napa - 2 days and nights
Skip Shasta - way out of the way
SF - 3 days
PCH - 3 days
LA- 2 days if you must. I would skip LA too, but it does have some good food.
Jun 19th, 2010, 09:38 AM
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Day 10 - Full day in Napa. (We're not winery lovers, so we'll only go to 2 or 3)
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I really enjoy wine country, but if wine/wineries aren't your thing- you'd probably be better off using your precious time somewhere else. To me, that's like going to Disneyland, but you don't like amusement rides. Napa has beautiful scenery, but so do a lot of other places.
From Santa Barbara south, there is a high probability you will experience some of the best weather So.Cal coast has to offer; clear, dry and 80's. Inland can get very warm/hot during that time. Napa and Sacramento most likely will be high temps. Northern Cal. is a hit and miss.
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I really enjoy wine country, but if wine/wineries aren't your thing- you'd probably be better off using your precious time somewhere else. To me, that's like going to Disneyland, but you don't like amusement rides. Napa has beautiful scenery, but so do a lot of other places.
From Santa Barbara south, there is a high probability you will experience some of the best weather So.Cal coast has to offer; clear, dry and 80's. Inland can get very warm/hot during that time. Napa and Sacramento most likely will be high temps. Northern Cal. is a hit and miss.
Jun 19th, 2010, 09:56 AM
#5
If you aren't in to wines/wineries -- I'd skip Napa/Sonoma for sure. Sept is very high season there and things will be crowded and expensive.
Shasta Lake is certainly OK -- but not sure driving from Crescent City to Redding to Sacramento would be worth it.Plus it could be VERY hot in Redding and the upper Sacramento Valley.
Instead of Redding and Napa--I might think of adding those two 'extra' days to driving down the Northern Cal Coast through Ft Brag, Mendocino, Ft Ross etc.
Shasta Lake is certainly OK -- but not sure driving from Crescent City to Redding to Sacramento would be worth it.Plus it could be VERY hot in Redding and the upper Sacramento Valley.
Instead of Redding and Napa--I might think of adding those two 'extra' days to driving down the Northern Cal Coast through Ft Brag, Mendocino, Ft Ross etc.
Jun 19th, 2010, 10:59 AM
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I just wanted to clarify a few points from my earlier post. On this trip I would skip coastal Washington in favor of coastal Oregon. Nothing wrong with WA coast, but with limited time I would focus on Oregon. Other parts of WA are fantastic, but are not on your route (i.e. the Cascades, San Juans, wine areas out east). Shasta is also a great place, but is also not on your route and you would waste time that could be better spent in Napa or Frisco. Finally, while I really like to visit LA and it is a fascinating place, I would spend my limited time in San Francisco and the central coast + Santa Barbara area instead.
Jun 19th, 2010, 09:31 PM
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As native Oregonian, your initial trip plans are way overcrowded. Seattle is a beautiful place to spend two days, going north to the Olympics and only spending one day is too much driving. Either stay for two days, or head south to Oregon. Both are great states, but the Oregon Coast is so amazing and different during the entire drive. However, you could easily take 4-5 days between Astoria and Brookings just taking photos and enjoying restaurants. The highway is curvy, and slow when getting behind RV's with limited passing zones, so be patient. The Redwoods are a must see, as is San Fran-one day in Napa/St. Helena is enough or as suggested above, skip and head straight to San Fran. Agree, skip Shasta and Sacramento, out of the way. If you find time in Oregon to cut over from Florence, Crater Lake is a must see and then you could fit Shasta into your plans. Beware, we are having a wet June which could mean fires by September which will limit viewings. sounds like you could be flexible and change you plans at will.
Just get a room by 2:00 while travelling the coast.
Have fun!
Just get a room by 2:00 while travelling the coast.
Have fun!
Jun 20th, 2010, 01:28 AM
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At Muir Woods NP do check the parking lot even if it looks full - you can often get lucky. Also, three miles away is Muir Beach, a windy beautiful glimpse and walk on the Pacific, just chilly enough to stop on your way back out of the beach at the Pelican Inn for hot chocolate, snacks or dinner. One of my favorite ways to spend a day. I too would advise to skip Napa in favor of maybe another day in San Francisco (the trip to Alcatraz on a boat on the bay and the tour itself (self guided with headphones) is pretty awesome - or more time winding your way down to LA - stop at Huntington Beach, Malibu, Hearst Castle (make reservations ahead of time for a tour), and do look up " The Madonna Inn" and see if it is something that would appeal to you. It is near San Luis Obispo and it is a really unique place (each room is different that the others - just look it up and see) and we love it there - but it is not for everyone. Squeeze in a quick trip to a Mission along the way - if you can - they so speak for the history of Ca and where it grew from (and it is often not a pretty story) and might be something you are interested in (or not...)
Jun 20th, 2010, 09:33 AM
#11
I would recommend a couple of modifications to your itinerary based on the time of year, the relative driving ease, and conditions you're likely to encounter. All just my opinion, of course, but based on maybe 40-50 round trips trips between Seattle and LA over the years...
Days
1-3, Seattle as planned
4, To Port Angeles via Bainbridge ferry, Hood Canal Bridge, Port Townsend if time works out. Visit Hurricane Ridge before nightfall.
5, To Quinault via Lake Crescent, Forks, Hoh rain forest visitor center. This will be a pretty long day.
6, To Newport or Yachats OR via Ilwaco, Astoria, Cannon Beach. This will also be a pretty long day.
7, Gold Beach as planned.
8, To Crescent City. Note the redwoods don't really start until south of Crescent City, except for a few groves along US 199 near the junction with US 101.
9, Continue south through the main redwood groves to the junction with Calif. SR 1, then follow SR 1 through Fort Bragg and stop for the night in Mendocino. I'll explain why I'm suggesting skipping Shasta below.
10, To the Napa Valley - cut over at Jenner or Bodega Bay, through Santa Rosa and into Napa, Sonoma or St. Helena.
11, Napa/Sonoma Valley to SF.
12-13, SF as planned.
14, To San Simeon. I'd take SR 1 from SF all the way, stopping at Santa Cruz, Monterey (aquarium), Carmel, Pt. Lobos and Big Sur. Alternatively, stop at Big Sur but plan on an early departure.
15, To Santa Barbara as planned.
16-18, LA and departure as planned.
Why the changes...
First, the weather. The first half of September is IMO the ideal time to visit the Oregon and northern California coasts. It's usually warm, many of the tourists have gone home, and accommodation will be easier to obtain. Same goes for the Washington coast and Olympic peninsula, but they don't call it rain forest for nothing.
On the other hand, the interior valleys of California can and will be the Anvil of God in early September. 100+ degrees are not at all uncommon from Redding to Bakersfield at that time of year (nor, indeed, in greater LA.) You'll get enough heat in the Napa Valley and LA as it is.
As to Lake Shasta etc., the water in the inland reservoirs is already low, and by September there will be more lake bottom than lake to see; plus if you go out on the water you will be burned like hamburgers in a pizza oven. Plus plus, the drive through the mountains from the coast to Redding is kinda scenic here and there, but no prize-winner compared to the beauty of the northern half of California Hwy 1.
You might look at your schedule and see if you could overnight in the little town of Occidental, hidden in the hills between Bodega Bay and Santa Rosa. It's historic and cute, and has a couple of family-style Italian restaurants (with attached hotels) that are a blast of old-time fun and hospitality. Driving after one of those meals (especially if accompanied by good local wine) is not the best idea.
I'd go down Hwy 1 from SF to Monterey rather than through the Salinas Valley. US 101 through the Salinas Valley has all the heat of the inland valleys, plus it's a crummy road for much of the way, with lots of turning tractors to keep you alert, and not much on the radio to boot. (Okay, it's my least fave portion of the drive.) Pacifica and Half Moon Bay are not the most charming seafront towns in California, but Santa Cruz is fun (GREAT amusement park on the waterfront) and the drive is just more interesting IMO.
If you're starting in Santa Barbara, enter LA via SR1 rather than taking the Ventura Freeway into LA through the San Fernando Valley. Oxnard is not so much, but the coast road through Malibu and into Santa Monica is a perfect entry into LA.
Happy travels!
Days
1-3, Seattle as planned
4, To Port Angeles via Bainbridge ferry, Hood Canal Bridge, Port Townsend if time works out. Visit Hurricane Ridge before nightfall.
5, To Quinault via Lake Crescent, Forks, Hoh rain forest visitor center. This will be a pretty long day.
6, To Newport or Yachats OR via Ilwaco, Astoria, Cannon Beach. This will also be a pretty long day.
7, Gold Beach as planned.
8, To Crescent City. Note the redwoods don't really start until south of Crescent City, except for a few groves along US 199 near the junction with US 101.
9, Continue south through the main redwood groves to the junction with Calif. SR 1, then follow SR 1 through Fort Bragg and stop for the night in Mendocino. I'll explain why I'm suggesting skipping Shasta below.
10, To the Napa Valley - cut over at Jenner or Bodega Bay, through Santa Rosa and into Napa, Sonoma or St. Helena.
11, Napa/Sonoma Valley to SF.
12-13, SF as planned.
14, To San Simeon. I'd take SR 1 from SF all the way, stopping at Santa Cruz, Monterey (aquarium), Carmel, Pt. Lobos and Big Sur. Alternatively, stop at Big Sur but plan on an early departure.
15, To Santa Barbara as planned.
16-18, LA and departure as planned.
Why the changes...
First, the weather. The first half of September is IMO the ideal time to visit the Oregon and northern California coasts. It's usually warm, many of the tourists have gone home, and accommodation will be easier to obtain. Same goes for the Washington coast and Olympic peninsula, but they don't call it rain forest for nothing.
On the other hand, the interior valleys of California can and will be the Anvil of God in early September. 100+ degrees are not at all uncommon from Redding to Bakersfield at that time of year (nor, indeed, in greater LA.) You'll get enough heat in the Napa Valley and LA as it is.
As to Lake Shasta etc., the water in the inland reservoirs is already low, and by September there will be more lake bottom than lake to see; plus if you go out on the water you will be burned like hamburgers in a pizza oven. Plus plus, the drive through the mountains from the coast to Redding is kinda scenic here and there, but no prize-winner compared to the beauty of the northern half of California Hwy 1.
You might look at your schedule and see if you could overnight in the little town of Occidental, hidden in the hills between Bodega Bay and Santa Rosa. It's historic and cute, and has a couple of family-style Italian restaurants (with attached hotels) that are a blast of old-time fun and hospitality. Driving after one of those meals (especially if accompanied by good local wine) is not the best idea.
I'd go down Hwy 1 from SF to Monterey rather than through the Salinas Valley. US 101 through the Salinas Valley has all the heat of the inland valleys, plus it's a crummy road for much of the way, with lots of turning tractors to keep you alert, and not much on the radio to boot. (Okay, it's my least fave portion of the drive.) Pacifica and Half Moon Bay are not the most charming seafront towns in California, but Santa Cruz is fun (GREAT amusement park on the waterfront) and the drive is just more interesting IMO.
If you're starting in Santa Barbara, enter LA via SR1 rather than taking the Ventura Freeway into LA through the San Fernando Valley. Oxnard is not so much, but the coast road through Malibu and into Santa Monica is a perfect entry into LA.
Happy travels!
Jun 20th, 2010, 06:08 PM
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My husband and I just did an Oregon vacation for the first time in May. Our total trip was 11 days and 5 days were spent just driving the Coast but we could've easily spent the entire trip just on the Coast! The scenery is breathtaking.
I've posted a hotel review here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...tel-report.cfm
Days 3-7 cover the Coast.
And a restaurant review here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ant-report.cfm
The Wet Dog brew pub starts the Coast and ends with the Crazy Norwegian.
Ditto the comments for Crater Lake…..it is so beautiful, it’s surreal.
I've posted a hotel review here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...tel-report.cfm
Days 3-7 cover the Coast.
And a restaurant review here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ant-report.cfm
The Wet Dog brew pub starts the Coast and ends with the Crazy Norwegian.
Ditto the comments for Crater Lake…..it is so beautiful, it’s surreal.
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rpietrzyk
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Mar 20th, 2010 08:05 PM
