westcoastbound

A friend and I are taking a trip down the West Coast the first week of September. We don't need much of a plan other than to have fun, see Seattle, Portland, Bend (visiting Aunt) and then someway get to San Fran. The trip is roughly 7 days. We are in our mid-20's so budget is tight. We are from Minnesota and renting a car but will be bringing camping gear. Once we are out of Bend our main goal is to see the Redwoods and more nature driven things.Would love any feedback or suggestions!

boom_boom

After Bend, head back for US 101 and follow it south if you want the Redwoods, etc. Redwoods Nat. Park, the Lady Bird Johnson Grove, several state parks.
When you get to Ukiah you can follow a county road over to Boonville in the Anderson Valley, then SR 128 to SR 1 on the coast, turn north for a day and visit Mendocino/Fort Brass, before turning back south the following SR 1 through Jenner, Fort Ross, Bodega Bay and Point Reyes to San Francisco. Many parks along the coast, but be aware that California budget issues may force some parks to close. Best to give a call, or check websites the day before you want to camp in a CA state park.

beachbum

What boom_boom said....

Or, after Bend, take US 97 south to OR 138, then west for a drive-by visit of Crater Lake. You might even be lucky enough to find a camping spot there (or at nearby Diamond Lake). From Crater Lake, depending on your time, take either OR 62/US 199 through Grants Pass to US 101, or OR 138/I-5/OR 42(S) to US 101, then south. Either gets you to the redwoods, but the latter includes Oregon's southern coast, which is arguably the most scenic in the state.

happytrailstoyou

The Oregon coast from Cannon Beach to Florence is quite wonderful.

roundthebend

I can't imagine getting so close to Crater Lake without stopping by. You'll probably regret that you don't have time to explore.