My family and I have an ambitious trip planned - Seattle to San Jose in 8 days. We will definitely get on Highway 1 in California and plan to see everything between there and San Simeon(we are travelling with 16 & 18 year old kids). My questions:
Keeping in mind that we will see lots of California coast, if it was you, would you drive all the way down the coast from Astoria or would you get on I-5 in Portland and do it that way. My husband thinks to save time we should do the interstate, but I'm afraid we'll miss "don't miss" spots that way. I told him the lovely folks on the Fodor's message board would help us make this decision. Please help us with this predicatment.

If you have first hand experience with any sights or places to stay, I'll take all the info you can spare!
Thanks!
Jean

You'll have a great trip no matter how you slice it! Perhaps you could come up with two or three proposed itineraries to run by the family (and by this web site!). A major decision will be your mix of city versus scenic wonder. San Francisco is right in your path and you'll have to decide whether or not to spend time there. If the kids haven't seen it before, it would be a shame to skip it. San Francisco could easily take two or three days. Also, Monterey is a wonderful town.
Another choice you must make is whether you want a trip that is a quick sampler of many flavors, or whether you want to focus in on a few....
We live in Oregon and have travelled widely, and there is no doubt about it, the Oregon coast is spectacular. But, the area you are considering is full of five star attractions, all worth the trip, and is well over 1,000 miles long.
Saying all that, I'd suggest, since you are starting in Astoria, anyway, that you take at least one day to go down the coast, getting at least as far as Yachats and visit the Cape Perpetua area(an easy 4 hours from Astoria). You could cut over to I-5 the next day, and still have enjoyed some beautiful areas on the Oregon coast.

From experience-- Astoria down coast to California takes AT LEAST 2 full days without much sightseeing included. (Of course the scenery is great but I'm not sure how much that interests your kids!!!)
My kids at that age would head for San Francisco!!
Monterey area is great with the Aquarium and shops.
Good luck with decisions----

Jean,

Keep in mind that San Simeon is a good 3 hours south of San Jose. Monterey is south as well.

i think the coast route is definitly worth it. it's a great drive and worth the time.
book in advance and take the alcatraz tour in san fran.

I agree with Sarah - drive down from Astoria to Florence and then cut over at Florence to Eugene (about an hour) and head down I5. The highway begins to move away from the coastline anyway and isn't so spectacular in the south of Oregon - though there are still fun places to stop and see.

I think Astoria to Portland is quite a bit longer than it looks - can take several hours I believe.

I would recommend Fort Clatsop in Astoria (replica of the fort where Lewis and Clark spent the winter), Seaside has some touristy activities that might be fun as a way to stretch your legs. Get some cheese and ice cream in Tillamook (very short stop, could be less than an hour).

Newport is a nice town, great aquarium and wonderful beaches. People really like Yachats and Florence has the dunes - you can rent machines and ride the dunes.

Oregon is beautiful - enjoy your drive!

I've traveled the CA portion of Highway 1 on three separate occasions and once was lucky enough to travel down the Oregon coast from the Portland area. The Oregon coastline, IMHO, is the most beautiful and rugged scenery I've ever seen anywhere. It's spectacular and should not be missed.