Need Advise on Place to Stop Between San Fran and Seattle/Tacoma
Jul 19th, 2012, 08:21 AM
#21
"Geesh. One can easily average 75 mph north on I-5"
You do realize that the speed limit is 70 only as far as Tehema County? The rest is 65, and even lower in some stretches.
Sure one can hit 75 or 80, but averaging 75 -- not the way they patrol.
You do realize that the speed limit is 70 only as far as Tehema County? The rest is 65, and even lower in some stretches.
Sure one can hit 75 or 80, but averaging 75 -- not the way they patrol.
Jul 20th, 2012, 07:52 PM
#22
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again .. thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. We appreciate the huge amount of time you put into posting.
Gardyloo, my apologies, I'm new to this kind of communication.
So, thinking we may need 8-9 nights:
San Francisco bay to Geyersville
to Ashland
to Cottage Grove
To Tacoma
then Hood River
and Yachats
Bandon?
Ferndale, Ca
Calistoga, Ca
Janisj, I am in the process of checking out the Benbow Inn.
Tomsd, checked the rest stop -- Thanks!
Everyone -- great experience!! Thanks again
Gardyloo, my apologies, I'm new to this kind of communication.
So, thinking we may need 8-9 nights:
San Francisco bay to Geyersville
to Ashland
to Cottage Grove
To Tacoma
then Hood River
and Yachats
Bandon?
Ferndale, Ca
Calistoga, Ca
Janisj, I am in the process of checking out the Benbow Inn.
Tomsd, checked the rest stop -- Thanks!
Everyone -- great experience!! Thanks again
Jul 21st, 2012, 03:44 AM
#23
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gpn: Sounds like a good plan. Leaving from Geyersville means you are beyond most of the Bay Area congestion and you should make good time to Ashland. (see more below). And if you haven't checked it out - you might even catch a play at the Oregon Shakespeare festival in the great outdoor theater in Ashland. http://www.osfashland.org/
Coming back - the drive out the Gorge - and seeing the waterfalls (the biggest being Multnoma - http://www.multnomahfallslodge.com/ ) is great - and while Hood River is cute - and there are some wineries around there - we really love staying about 45 minutes away - up on the slope of Mt. Hood - at Timerline Lodge - http://www.timberlinelodge.com/ and watching the young skiers train - or going for hikes, taking a swim while looking up at the glacier, whatever.
And for the rest of your trip down the coast - there are many posts in here under Oregon and Cal - where that is discussed in depth. And if you are golfers - or appreciate great courses - by all means do not miss the 4 world class links courses at Bandon Dunes. Just spectacular - and they have good salt water taffy in the cute little town also.
Fyi - I have driven I-5 between the Weed junction (about an hour south of Ashland on I-5 - and an hour and a half or so north of Redding - where one takes ole 97 to go to Klamath Falls, my hometown) - to San Francisco well over 50 times during my time - first riding along with my parents back in the 50's - when my dad went to medical conventions in SF - and later several times a year during college days and later living in SF, etc - and I go pretty fast - but I only got one ticket, and that was after moving to San Diego.
I had flown into Sacto from SD - on my way to Klamath - about 15? years ago - early - and was driving from the airport in a rental car - talking on my cell phone and jazzed about the sun coming up over the mountains - and wasn't really paying attention - or looking for Chippies - and had gotten up to over 80.
Oops - but since I had a good driving record - was able to go to traffic school and not take a hit on the insurance.
And I last drove from Sacto to Klamath about two years ago when I went up to the old town for a mini-reunion.
If you go with the flow - and don't pass too dramatically in the fast lane - you should easily be able to go 70 most of the time without a problem.
Sure - there are a few places where they will be working on the road (like about everywhere else - in the summer - especially in the higher elevations which get more runoff damage) - and you might have to slow down - and once in a while - wait a couple of minutes if they have it only one way - while the lead van takes groups through the area - but again, you can make good time I-5 - and I always say - get going early to make the best time.
Coming back - the drive out the Gorge - and seeing the waterfalls (the biggest being Multnoma - http://www.multnomahfallslodge.com/ ) is great - and while Hood River is cute - and there are some wineries around there - we really love staying about 45 minutes away - up on the slope of Mt. Hood - at Timerline Lodge - http://www.timberlinelodge.com/ and watching the young skiers train - or going for hikes, taking a swim while looking up at the glacier, whatever.
And for the rest of your trip down the coast - there are many posts in here under Oregon and Cal - where that is discussed in depth. And if you are golfers - or appreciate great courses - by all means do not miss the 4 world class links courses at Bandon Dunes. Just spectacular - and they have good salt water taffy in the cute little town also.
Fyi - I have driven I-5 between the Weed junction (about an hour south of Ashland on I-5 - and an hour and a half or so north of Redding - where one takes ole 97 to go to Klamath Falls, my hometown) - to San Francisco well over 50 times during my time - first riding along with my parents back in the 50's - when my dad went to medical conventions in SF - and later several times a year during college days and later living in SF, etc - and I go pretty fast - but I only got one ticket, and that was after moving to San Diego.
I had flown into Sacto from SD - on my way to Klamath - about 15? years ago - early - and was driving from the airport in a rental car - talking on my cell phone and jazzed about the sun coming up over the mountains - and wasn't really paying attention - or looking for Chippies - and had gotten up to over 80.
Oops - but since I had a good driving record - was able to go to traffic school and not take a hit on the insurance.
And I last drove from Sacto to Klamath about two years ago when I went up to the old town for a mini-reunion.
If you go with the flow - and don't pass too dramatically in the fast lane - you should easily be able to go 70 most of the time without a problem.
Sure - there are a few places where they will be working on the road (like about everywhere else - in the summer - especially in the higher elevations which get more runoff damage) - and you might have to slow down - and once in a while - wait a couple of minutes if they have it only one way - while the lead van takes groups through the area - but again, you can make good time I-5 - and I always say - get going early to make the best time.
Jul 21st, 2012, 06:25 AM
#24
On the trip north on I-5 if you can't make it to Ashland, stay in Mount Shasta. Don't even think of staying in Redding.
Think about going from Mount Shasta to Crater Lake before continuing north.
Think about going from Mount Shasta to Crater Lake before continuing north.
Jul 21st, 2012, 07:07 AM
#25
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We enjoy staying in Mt. Shasta when driving up or down I-5. Nice little town for walking around, Mt. Shasta right in your face. The Tree House is a nice place to stay, and we love the deck at the Billy Goat tavern for dinner.
On 101 I second the suggestion of Benbow. We stopped there for brunch on a recent trip to Eureka. I hadn't been there in about 40 years but it is still g great place.
On 101 I second the suggestion of Benbow. We stopped there for brunch on a recent trip to Eureka. I hadn't been there in about 40 years but it is still g great place.
Jul 21st, 2012, 07:38 PM
#26
"If you go with the flow - and don't pass too dramatically in the fast lane - you should easily be able to go 70 most of the time without a problem."
Putz. That is entirely different than your first claim of 'averaging' 75MPH.
Putz. That is entirely different than your first claim of 'averaging' 75MPH.
Jul 21st, 2012, 08:05 PM
#27
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FYI Tomsd: About every 6-8 weeks I drive round trip from Sacramento to Bend, OR. No way can you drive an average of 70-75 MPH between Redding and Weed. I am a fast driver (constantly looking for CHPs). But, between the slow 18 wheelers (going uphill), RVs and just plain slow drivers, average speed goes WAY down. During the summer you also have road/bridge construction going on. Just saying...
Jul 22nd, 2012, 03:22 AM
#28
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Seems the last two ladies perhaps don't know how to negotiate traffic that well? You have to learn how to pass the slow moving vehicles ahead of you.
From Redding to Weed is about an hour and a half - and would agree it's the slowest moving of the 5 or so hours from Sacto/Vacaville area to the Oregon border, but you can make some time up the rest of the way, and have a little cushion in your pocket.
Years ago you could go faster - but even now - you can hit/average up to say 78 on many of the long/straight stretches - which I do - but I won't "warrant" you might not get pinched
Generally I have found the Chippies are after faster targets -rather than those keeping it under 80.
From Redding to Weed is about an hour and a half - and would agree it's the slowest moving of the 5 or so hours from Sacto/Vacaville area to the Oregon border, but you can make some time up the rest of the way, and have a little cushion in your pocket.
Years ago you could go faster - but even now - you can hit/average up to say 78 on many of the long/straight stretches - which I do - but I won't "warrant" you might not get pinched
Generally I have found the Chippies are after faster targets -rather than those keeping it under 80.
Jul 22nd, 2012, 03:29 AM
#29
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But hey - even if it takes a little over 5 hours to get from the Sacto area to the Oregon Border. - so what?
There are nice rest stops along the way - and heading north - once you get to within an hour or so of Redding - you start to see some of the beauty of the higher elevations in Northern Cal - and cinder cone Mt Shasta is looming in front of you - and the time just nicely passes by.
There are nice rest stops along the way - and heading north - once you get to within an hour or so of Redding - you start to see some of the beauty of the higher elevations in Northern Cal - and cinder cone Mt Shasta is looming in front of you - and the time just nicely passes by.
Jul 29th, 2012, 12:42 PM
#30
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Drivers: Please mind the speed limits and signal your intentions before changing lanes or turning. It won't kill you to spend an extra half-hour getting someplace and it could save you a lot of money (or perhaps your life). If that's not enough for you, our state and local governments are in serious financial trouble, and cracking down on speeders and cell phone users for income, as well as accident prevention and law enforcement. Please drive carefully and be considerate of others - especially those whose familiarity with the area and driving skills are not as good as you think yours are.
Jul 29th, 2012, 02:57 PM
#32
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Just returned from this trip, and road construction between Redding and Ashland was down to one lane (each way) off and on - which really slowed things down, even late at night. No complaints, though; it was a beautiful drive. You have to drive slowly in construction zones.
We also noted that posted speed limits in Oregon were frequently 55 mph, and the highway patrol in Northern California and Oregon were visibly busy ticketing speeders.
If you go on I-5, I'd recommend stopping in Ashland, because it is an interesting town designed for tourists (due to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival) with plenty of good restaurants and coffee houses and breweries. You can often get last minute tickets to one of the plays. Lithia Park in the center of town is a lovely spot for a picnic and a pleasant walk.
If you head north on 101 from SF, it will take quite a bit longer than I-5, and going to Ashland may not be a good stop as you will be coming to I-5 north of Ashland. Highway 101 through the Redwoods is gorgeous, but make sure you take the old highway scenic route when you reach Redwood National Park (the turn off for Prairie Creek). Otherwise Highway 101 itself bypasses the best of that area. This will only add about 10 or 15 minutes but is totally worth it.
We also noted that posted speed limits in Oregon were frequently 55 mph, and the highway patrol in Northern California and Oregon were visibly busy ticketing speeders.
If you go on I-5, I'd recommend stopping in Ashland, because it is an interesting town designed for tourists (due to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival) with plenty of good restaurants and coffee houses and breweries. You can often get last minute tickets to one of the plays. Lithia Park in the center of town is a lovely spot for a picnic and a pleasant walk.
If you head north on 101 from SF, it will take quite a bit longer than I-5, and going to Ashland may not be a good stop as you will be coming to I-5 north of Ashland. Highway 101 through the Redwoods is gorgeous, but make sure you take the old highway scenic route when you reach Redwood National Park (the turn off for Prairie Creek). Otherwise Highway 101 itself bypasses the best of that area. This will only add about 10 or 15 minutes but is totally worth it.
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