Hi,
I'm considering doing this trip from Portland to San Diego, starting on 23rd or 24th of September.

--> How long do you think I need at least to drive all the way down to San Diego, stopping to take some photos on scenery views. (I'm a French photographer)
--> is the coast road crowded at that season ?
--> what are the "must see" things on the way dow to San Diego ?

No stop to San Francisco since I'll be visiting the city before, as well for Seattle and Portland, that I'm planning to leave on the23rd or 24th as start of my road trip.

I'd like to be in San Diego on 29th/30th September the latest
--> do you think it's good enough to make it and enjoying the view on this trip ?

Thanks for any help you could provide

Flying into PDX and flying out of SND without a drop off fee on the rental car?
7 or 8 days should be good for this trip provided that the weather is good enough to take pictures.
Be sure to get pictures of Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach.

Six days is enough for the drive, and traffic should not be heavy on the coast road at the end of September.

Considering your interest in photography, my drive would include Highway 101 from Cannon Beach to Eureka, the redwoods in northern California, Highway 1 from Rockport to Point Reyes, the Sonoma Valley wine district, the Napa Valley wine district, Highway 1 from Carmel to Santa Barbara, the Paso Robles wine district, the Santa Barbara wine district, and Highway 1 from Seal Beach to San Clamente. There is much, much more to consider. You might find a guidebook, such as Fodor's California 2013, helpful.

HTtY

Thanks for your tips !
(I don't understand what you mean by "drop off fee on the rental car", I'm just starting to plann my trip. Bought my flight today, from Paris to SFO round trip, and then will fly to Seattle, stay few days there, then rent a car, and go to Portland, few days there and then alllll the wayyyy down to San Diego )

Very often car rental companies charge a fee (drop-off fee) when a car is picked in one city and returned in another city. You will learn more about this when you shop for a car rental.

I have had good luck renting from Thrift and Dollar and there are sometimes promotional codes available on line for these companies.

HTtY

Thanks for this... I actually don't care that much about the drop off fee, because, well, I want to do that ride anyway, so I'll have to include this as part of my budget... but thanks for letting me know about this, I should consider finding a rental car agency that avoid these kind of fees

When you are done on San Deigo you could drop off the car there or in Los Angeles and take the Amtrak Coast Starlight back to Emeryville/San Francisco to get to SFO for your flight back home. This would save a very long drive back to San Francisco.
The Coast Starlight runs daily between Los Angeles and Seattle.

Shopping around for the best rate on a car rental is worth the time and effort.

I did it ! finally ! and it was awesome, beautiful, breathtaking, I loved loved loved it !
Here are, on my blog, my photos of this amazing trip... feel free to contact me if you need any info
http://sandrineboutry.com/2013/12/my...-to-san-diego/

Really enjoyed your great photos and this is from one who grew up in Oregon and has traveresed that Coast and California's. Great work. You really capture the beauty of these magnificent vistas.

Thanks Tom,
I still have a video to work on, I may post this online soon

Those are really beautiful photos, and cute trip report.

> Really enjoyed your great photos
Ditto, ditto, ditto!!!
The Pacific Coast is one of my favorite places to travel and get great photos, and yours are ones I can only dream about getting.

Thank you for this messages ! I'm glad you like them

So glad you enjoyed your time here in Oregon And your time in CA, lol.

Yes, our coast is pretty special, but I fully admit to being biased. You just need to come back and spend more time, so there, an excuse for another trip. Just like I need another excuse for another trip to France

Sandrine, merci beaucoup. You have made me want to visit the Oregon coast, which my husband will love because he is a lighthouse nut.

I already have another trip planned in February to Portland

Tres Bien. Perhaps - weather permitting - you can also visit Central/Southern Oregon - and see one of the Natural wonders of the world - Crater Lake (close to where I grew up in Klamath Falls - http://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm IF the roads are open) - or maybe overnight at the tiny twin lakes by Bend - Pauline and Shastina - http://www.paulinalakelodge.com/comments.html - near a beautiful overlook/photo opportunity from Newberry Crater - of the Cascade Cinder Cones - The Three Sisters - and so forth. https://www.google.com/search?q=the+...w=1182&bih=466

You could also visit some of the many scenic/covered bridges in Oregon - possibly using the great college town of Eugene as your base. http://www.oregon.com/covered_bridges

There are additional photo ops at many of the wineries in the central Oregon area, as there are in other parts of the Willamette Valley: https://www.google.com/#q=wineries+around+eugene+oregon

I'd love to do this Tom, but I don't think February is the best time to do so...
I love to drive but I don't own a car, and I'm not used to drive in snow weather forecast... I wouldn't dare a try with a rental car either
But... I may try to make that trip in August or Sept, probably a better time for this area

Well, I'm there in a week, and did rent a car for my stay in PDX.
Let's see what I'll do.... and what photos I'll be able to show you from this gorgeous state that I love so much !