California Here We Come.....
 

I thought it might be a good idea and a good time, to show the Yankee - California.
Here is man who has travelled and lived all over the world, but has not been to California. So I am gonna take care of that.
First question..
We will drive down from Portland.
I guess we will stop in Ashland..or not?
The Redwoods will be a must, San Francisco, and perhaps I will show him my old house in the Hollywood Hills :)
If you were doing this, tell me how you would go about it, what route, which towns.
I thank you very much, it should be great fun and you can be as bossy as you wish, I will do what I am told :)
<i>yes, I am doing lots of research, I mostly want to hear how others would go about it, which might be different from what I am thinking..thanks~</i>

If you're stopping in Ashland, beware that during the Festival (which is most of the year) hotel rooms are at a premium -- except on Sunday or Monday nights. I'd suggest you leave on Sunday or Monday and go to Ashland then -- unless you want to see a show.

Then you'll need to slightly backtrack to go up and around Grant's Pass to the redwoods near the California/Oregon border. Unless you want to head down I-5 and go into San Francisco and see the redwoods at Muir Woods instead. It is a long drive down the coast on 101 from Oregon, but then it's infinitely prettier than I-5.

But how much time are you talking about?
This really is the main question.

Do you want to include San Francisco? I'd really do the coast from there to LA, through Big Sur, stop in Carmel.

Are you planning to visit Ashland in the summer so you can attend the Shakespeare Festival? I have fond memories of doing that as a child.

I'd definitely drive down the coast...the family is calling me to play a game so I'll have to think and respond more later!

Lee Ann

OK - Scarlett you have left out two important details:

When??

and

How long do you have??

Ah , answers right away, thank you!
Yes, when would be when we have our plans in order, we are on no schedule, so it would be whenever we are ready.
Yes, from Portland to LA...I want to go on as much coastline as we can. I want to scare him to death on that stretch where he looks out the window and dooooown to the ocean below ( evil laugh).
We might have 2 weeks, maybe more. (anyone want to pup sit?)
No Shakespeare Festival ( I don't think) at the moment I am thinking we will not tie ourselves down to being there at a certain time..summer travel might make this more difficult with hotels etc, but we will see how the plan goes :)
Thank you very much...

Scarlett, I say drive down the coast &amp; back up 101 &amp; 5.
http://www.winchesterinn.com

These folks are very gracious hosts, just to name one place.
There are lots of hidden spots around the Rogue Valley, and lots to do besides the Bard. I'll get my links together. You need to see your newly adopted state.

The I-5 to the 199, out of Grants Pass gets you to 101, near Crescent City I think. Then you have lots are redwood area to choose from. Oregon Caves in a neat place to stop on 199. :-)

Just skip Ashland. Go over to the coast from Grants Pass and 101 will take you through the redwoods.

Last year when we went to CA to visit family, we were tired of I-5, so the scenic route was really nice. The Redwoods are so amazing, so definitely hit the Avenue of the Giants, and do the touristy thing of the drive-thru tree at Chandelier. Yes, the tree looks like an upside down chandelier, lol! In very northern CA, the drive along the Smith River is very pretty.

As you know, he will love San Francisco.

Depending on how far down you want to go, the Hotel Del Coronado is great and we have always had very nice stays there. Plus you can see the jets coming/going from the airbase right there.

Oh this is so great! Thank you all.
OK, got the maps out, Grants Pass, skip Ashland, Oregon Caves sounds good!
Yes, mms, he will love SF and I remember your description of the Redwood trees. It will be great!
<i>(I will be using the word great quite a bit, sorry)</i>

And yes, the jets lol...

Portland to Mt. Hood, from there there is a paved narrow National Forest road going south. Stop by Crater Lake. From Ashland, either go back to Grants Pass to take US 199 to the coast or go south and take CA 96 to Eureka. From Eureka you might want to go to Ferndale and on to Petrolia (a very narrow, twisting road that is not advised in rainy season) to Honeydew and South fork which is back on hwy 101. The take the Ave. of the Giants. At Leggett you might want to take hwy 1 to Ft. Bragg and Mendocino. Take hwy 128 back to 101, going through the Anderson Valley (do some wine tasting).

Check out the Benbow Inn in Garberville. Great base for the Avenue of the Giants, Ferndale, Shelter Cove, etc. It is an historic &quot;Olde English&quot; inn w/ a great pub and gorgeous gardens sloping down to the river, super service and beautiful rooms.

Hi Scarlett,
There is a great, vertigo inducing stretch on 1 going south from Sea Ranch maybe 10 or so miles before you get to Jenner where you are hugging the coast that the Yankee might find fun.
-Bill

Hi, Scarlett! aka ((f))

If you are going to be driving down to Hollywood, you are going to be driving back home to Portland - no?

I'd suggest driving along the coast DOWN all the way from Portland, then take the inland route all the way back up. On the return route, from LA you might swing over to the other side of the state and go through Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite; then swing into I-5 for a quick drive up to Oregon, detour to Crater Lake, and then home.

The Oregon coast is quite spectacular - Cape Perpetua, the Devil's Churn area is not to be missed. Stay at the rustic Seevue Motel right on Highway 101 (absolutely book the Crow's Nest room!). Bandon further south is also quite unique.

When you get down to California, Highway 101 will take you to Humboldt Redwoods State Park where the Avenue of the Giants is located. There are no hotels in the park itself, except for a youth hostel, you will have to find lodging either north or south of the park. You will want to overnight nearby because you'll want to get out and walk around a bit, breathe in that wonderful woody smell of a redwood forest, and marvel at the giant trees.

Highway 101 then carries you back towards the coast. At Leggett, keep heading towards the coast on Highway 1 - to places like Mendocino (where Murder She Wrote was filmed), Gualala (where gualalalisa lives), Fort Ross (don't miss this fort originally buit by the Russians), and Jenner. At Jenner, you may want to turn inland again and head for the wine country, Sonoma and Napa counties.

From there into San Francisco.

Then southbound again on Highway 1 to Monterey/Carmel, through Big Sur - this part of the coast has been discussed many, many times. Stop off at Point Lobos, Pfeiffer Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (with the only falls to tumble into the Pacific Ocean - easy 10 minute hike). Stop for lunch at Nepenthe or any one of the other recommended places. Then down to Cambria to overnight if you want to see Hearst Castle.

From Cambria, Highway 1 gets to be easier to drive and you'll soon rejoin Highway 101. Near Lompoc, see the mission La Purisma if you haven't visited a California mission already.

Then Santa Baba and LA. Getty Center a must. Another wonderful museum is the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena.

San Diego is growing up, you may want to drive down and stay at the Marriott right on the shore downtown.

As mentioned, on the way back, you can take the eastern route through the parks and see the &quot;other&quot; redwoods. There are two kinds of redwoods, the coastal variety and the inland variety. I liken them to Laurel and Hardy, the coastal ones are tall and thin, the inland ones are shorter and much bigger around - if you've see picts of the General Grant tree, it's an inland variety.

Going through the parks is a much better drive than heading up north on I-5 or Highway 99, so if you have the time, swing eastward.

When may we expect you, charming Scarlett? I'm doing quite a bit of travelling in the next few months, but, if possible, would love to attend a Fodors get-together when you come this way (eh, especially in wine country!).

Enjoy your planning! :)

Hi Scarlett - I agree with the previous posters about the coastal drive.

A couple of places I would include that have not been mentioned yet is a day or two stay in the Santa Barbara area. Lot's to see around that area and the weather is usually great.

If you get as far as San Diego, I'd venture out on Point Loma to the Cabrillo National Monument at the end of the point. Besides the historical value, it has superb views of North Island (and those jets, again), San Diego Bay, Coronado, San Diego, and the huge expanse of land between the mountains and the sea. I visit it each time I am in San Diego and never tire of it.

Also, check out my &quot;Short San Diego Trip Report&quot; (i'll top it for you) for a recemmendation for a great Mexican restaurant.

Have a great trip.

Hi Scarlett

I like your quote
&quot;I want to scare him to death on that stretch where he looks out the window and dooooown to the ocean below ( evil laugh).&quot;

One of the best spots on the entire California coast for this is a stretch of highway 101 a few miles south of Crescent City It is right up there with anything in the &quot;Big Sur&quot; section of coast. Also as Michael pointed out the trip out to the lost coast from Ferndale out through Petrolia on the Mattole Road provide this type of views however it is a long slow trip. From the 101 Ferndale exit to the place you get back on 101 at Founders grove is a 6 hour trip. The road was open last month when me and the wife drove it. There are no redwoods on this route until you drop down into Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
If you do not take that route plan on taking a short trip up this road from 101 at the Founder's grove exit. Drive up to the big tree area. This is the finest redwood forest in the world. Take a hike across Bull Creek. There are some VERY LARGE REDWOODS there. Stay at Benbow Inn if you can get in. If not there is a best western in Garberville that is ok. I have stayed at both and can recommend them. Do not stay anywhere else in Southern Humboldt or you will be disappointed. If you have any questions about Del Norte and Humboldt counties or the central coast around Morro Bay I can be of help, just post back here.

Have Fun
GP

I HOPE you come as far as San Diego!

Skip Ashland???? Who said skip Ashland? It's one of the best places in Oregon to see California! And I think it would be a natural stopping point if returning home from somewhere in central CA like Fresno.

Seriously, Scarlett, you should stop there for (at least) a night, long enough to see a play in the Elizabethan Theater.

The Yankee has never been to San Francisco?? Go, Go, Go!! What a wonderful trip this will be....so many stops...it will take months. :) Bring pup.

((@))

Beachbum, I agree. Whichever way they come back hitting 5 at Redding, and the 150 miles past Mt. Shasta is very enjoyable. From Ashland, head to Crater Lake and Bend, then head towards home.

I think this trip is going to grow into a 6 month visit !!
LOL thank you all. I am making lists like crazy, looking at maps and figuring things out.
Anyone want to Pup sit? I think we will definitely have to leave him behind (shhh..don't tell him) ((&amp;))
I think we are going to make Ashland a trip on it's own. Not on the way somewhere but a long weekend or weekend to see something or hear something..this is going to be more of an old fashioned Road Trip..shades of Easy Rider lol...
You are all very kind to contribute so much, thanks again! ((F))

Hi, Scarlett!

Another piece to add to your planning puzzle:

You cannot drive south from SF to Santa Cruz on Highway 1. A portion of the road is closed - from Pacifica to Montara.

You could go down on I-280 to Highway 92, cut over to the coast and retake Highway 1 at Half Moon Bay.

This subject came up on another thread and I just thought you might want to add this piece to your trip planning.

easytraveler

This is my second post, the first got swallowed up in cyberspace!

&gt;&gt;You cannot drive south from SF to Santa Cruz on Highway 1. A portion of the road is closed - from Pacifica to Montara.&lt;&lt;

Do you know how long it will be closed, Easytraveler? We were planning to drive from San Francisco to Monterey in a couple of weeks.

Lee Ann

The Devil's Slide area is closed indefinitely. Take 280 to 92 over to Half Moon Bay.

No word on when the road will be openned - the road bed was damaged, so it will be awhile. No worries though, just cut over to Hwy 1 at Hwy 92. That is a nice little road over the mountain.

Besides Devil Slide be aware if you are travelling on I-80, once you cross the Carquinez Bridge (that spans from Vallejo to Crockett going south) the first two right hand lanes are closed on I-80 do to an mudslide. So try to avoid that area during commute time if at all possible. I haven't heard how long it will take to correct this situation.

Scarlett, you will need a year! And I don't think dear Pup will allow that, do you?

Seriously, I have had so many road trips between the SF/Bay Area and Portland..all beautiful trips. As well as from the SF/Bay Area to S CA.

If it is possible I would strongly suggest the month of September. The children are back in school and the weather will be so lovely.

We never had every moment and every nightly hotel planned which made it more fun but I know that doesn't work for everyone.

Hi, Lee Ann1

The others have answered your question very well!

It's not a very long stretch of Highway 1 that is affected, so you will not be missing too much.

The closure is just such a pain in the tutu for local residents!

Just stay out of Placer Co., Sweetie because &quot;Sheriff Ed's House&quot; in Auburn isn't big enuff for the both of us and I'm sure we'd wind up there! \:D/

Will you be swinging by Clovis' Friday Farmer's Markets? :-?

from portland either take the 5 to L.A. and the coast back. stop in Bandon, OR to relax for a few days and stay in a new vacation rental. bandon beach vacation rentals. www.bandonbeachrentals.com

Bandon, OR is a great spot. My DH and I stumbed upon it 20 years ago, and have been back a couple times since. We really need to get back, it's a great OR coast spot.

&gt;&gt;Will you be swinging by Clovis' Friday Farmer's Markets?&lt;&lt;

There's a farmer's market in Clovis? Hmmmm... :-? I'll be about an hour northeast of there... :-)

Thanks for the Hwy. 1 information, everyone. It sounds like it won't be a problem to miss that stretch - for us, anyway, not the poor locals!

One more week and we'll be in California - I can't wait!

Scarlett, you've gotten a ton of great suggestions; LoveItaly's idea of waiting until at least September is wise. :-)

Lee Ann

If you go later on in the year, another road to scare someone on is Tioga Pass. You could return from Southern CA via Rte 395 and cut thru Yosemite on the way back up to Portland.

It is a bit scarier going downhill (Yosemite first then 395). However then the return northbound on US1 won't be on the dropoff side.

Hi
I have had trouble posting on here because of Java or something ... anyway-Thank you!! for more ideas!
LoveItaly, Aug is now the month we are aiming for a trip for Buenos Aires. So Sept would be too difficult so what I am doing now is getting my routes mapped out, stops along the way, and presenting it all to the Yankee. He will get excited, horrified, or both and say what he thinks would be a good time to take this Road Trip. I think it has been long enough for us to forget what a Real Road Trip is like :)
I am thinking we will forget LA and just go to maybe Santa Barbara at the farthest..it would be so nice to be able to just keep going :)
Spend the winter in Mexico? lol....
Where are those winning Lottery tickets when you need them?
So...thank you all veddy much and whenever you think of something we cannot miss, I will be listening ... ((F))

Hi Scarlett, Argentina! How exciting, good for you. I hope this works out!

Going to Santa Barabara is a good idea and I am sure you would enjoying going a bit further south on 101 one day to visit Old Town Ventura and maybe take the Hwy 33 road going east into the darling town of Ojai.

WHAT ?!?

R5

Ojai? is that near Fresno or Clovis? LOL
From what I read elsewhere, Fresno is located in Astoria Oregon ~chuckling~

My goal is LA but if we have to change that, Big Sur will remain in the trip...so I have no idea how far South we will keep going.
I think there might be a possiblity of a SF GTG but then, the Yankee might not want to be alone that day lol..who knew I married a Man of Mystery :D

MizScarlett, since pup already has long curley hair and there is no need for a wig, dress him in drag and buy him an airline ticket to South Carolina and the kitties and I will take good care of pup. He will bring less attention to himself if you buy a ticket in first class.

:-D

Scarlett~
My preference for beautiful CA coastline
is between SF and Mendocino. As iamq says the place to have the Yankee driving is between the Sea Ranch and Jenner-He-he.
It's not for ~:&gt;

Just above Mendocino, in Ft.Bragg, try to dine at Mendo Bistro (dinner)
and Chapter &amp; Moon (lunch in the Noyo Harbor).

In Mendocino, my favorite is the Moosse
Cafe,(yes,Moosse). Just a tad south in Little River
I like Stevenswood for a grand meal (a la Zagat).

Continue down the coast and stop in Elk at the Greenwood Pier Inn-do check out their website-the views from the rooms are spectacular ! Their little gift shop in the garden is a fun place to browse -lots of interesting craft pieces. If you're hungry for brunch or lunch don't miss Queenies
Cafe. The locals are lots of fun.

As you continue south, there will be lots of places to stop and view spectacular (there's that word again,lol)vistas.
((P))
The drive out to the lighthouse at Point Arena is neat. (I'm a bit of a lighthouse lover.) Ask nicely and Scott may show you the condor's nests
on the cliff off the bluff. You must be very quiet.
:-$

When you get to Gualala, try to meet gualalalisa at the bar in the Gualala
Hotel-a bit of old CA here.

At Jenner catch the view at River's End www.ilovesunsets.com(and a meal if you can!)Do visit the beach at Goat Rock.

Not to long,now and you'll be in Bodega Bay.
The Yankee can check out the wine at Gourmet au Bay and the Seaweed Cafe is a must for a meal.

Journey on into Valley Ford and just south of town there's a fork in the road (now here's a tough decision),
do you hang a right to continue your travels south on
Hwy 1 to visit Pt.Reyes and Stinson or do you continue on and come to visit me
Mr R5 &amp; the ((@)) ?
:-D

It will be a fine road trip !
R5

Oh - a SF GTC is just <u>too</u> easy. I'd vote for a Clovis or, even better, a Fresno shindig. (and if those don't work, there is always Modesto) :)

Garlic Festival in Gilroy...July? Hot as balls but a unique opportunity to try any/everything garlic, from yick-yuck(ice cream, wine, candy) to traditional (pasta). Includes great live music. We camped at Casa de Fruta, approx. 25 minutes away, but there are closer accommodations (gilroygarlicfestival.com).

Train/balloon tour of Napa.

LA...check out the Monk's Guide. Eccentric places around town.

I moved from West LA a couple of years ago...If I had one day to spend in LA doing my favorites, it would be comprised of:
breakfast: Maxwell's Cafe (Culver City)
mid-morning: Rose Bowl flea market
lunch: Ye Old King's Head (Santa Monica)
early afternoon: Venice Boardwalk
mid-afternoon: On the Waterfront Pub (Venice)
Early dinner: sushi at Sakura (Mar Vista)
Still early but i'm already hungry after sushi dinner: C&amp;O Tratorria (Marina del Rey/Venice) be there at 7:00 for the singing of &quot;Amore&quot;
Evening Music/Drinks: Belmont Short area of Long Beach