We love Big Sur, Point Reyes and Sea Ranch. Interested in suggestions of similar locales on the California and Oregon coasts (Washington too far to drive).

Since the places you mention *are* on the CA coast, I'm assuming you mean further north towards Oregon? If that's the case, how far north? Are you driving up the coast to Portland and you are lookig for stopping points, or are you looking for a weekend getaway or...?

I've not been to all the places you name, Kat, but I can't imagine a better coastal setting than that of the Overleaf Lodge in Yachats: http://www.overleaflodge.com/.

On the OR coast, I really like Florence and Bandon. In CA, Cambria/ San Simeon/ Morro Bay area. Or Princeton by the Sea, Half Moon Bay area on the CA coast.

We just did the entire coast from Coos Bay, OR to Big Sur. Bandon, OR was beautiful and great beach access, and the whole coast was beautiful, but our favorite coast to look at is Big Sur.

Newport, OR is great. A great brewery is located there as well as the Oregon Coast Aquaruim which is amazing. And about and hour south of Newport is the Sea Lion Caves which is a must see. It takes you hundreds of feet down this elevator into the undisturbed sea lion caves which house thousands of sea lions living in their natural environment. It is also a very scenic coastline around this area.