Road tripping Western USA
 

Hi
We are an Aussie couple late 60’s and have enjoyed road tripping USA and Canada a couple of times in the past three years. We are planning our 2017 trip from San Francisco – Portland – Columbia River - Glacier NP – Waterton – Banff – Jasper – Vancouver Island – Seattle – Vancouver and fly home.
While we will post on different forums relating to the area we thought it prudent to outline our itinerary. We will hire a car from San Fran and drop it at Seattle before rail/bus to Vancouver as it appears we won’t need a car in either of those cities and will have to drop in in USA rather than Canada.
As in previous trips we plan to spend up 10 – 12 weeks on the road so time is on our side and it’s the journey rather than the destination. National Parks are an interest, short walks (4-5 mile), coastal scenery, smaller towns etc.
We have seen Yosemite so won’t need to head out that way and have driven Highway 1 from San Fran to LA.
Our plight is getting to Portland. We want to take in the Avenue of the Giants even though we have seen the big trees in Yosemite. We also live in a wine area here so considering a day or two around Napa. The Crater Lake area appears fascinating but reading on these forums it’s out of the way and not much to do. Someone may wish to comment on that.
Our plan on paper tracks us from -
SFO – Napa – Avenue of the Giants – Klamath Falls – Crater Lake - Yachats – Astoria – Portland.
That’s just under 1200 miles and would anticipate taking 12 - 14 days to do that but happy to take in suggestions.
We are still taking in the forum posts and learning about the area each day but in the meantime if there is anyone happy to comment on towns and things to see along this part of our trip we would be extremely grateful.
Cheers

I should have mentioned we are planning this trip starting mid July 2017

>>even though we have seen the big trees in Yosemite.<<

Different big trees - Giant Sequoia (the massive diameter ones) vs. Coastal Redwoods (the massively tall ones). And totally different atmosphere. If it was me I'd want the Avenue of the Giants AND farther north in Redwood National Forest. Truly glorious.

Re Napa -- fine area but again if it was me I'd base in Sonoma Country instead.

. . . and I would also skip Crater Lake and stay to the coast and end up in Olympic National Park before ending in Seattle.

I'd want a night or two in the Mendocino area -I really like this place for moderate rooms rates w/ glorious views http://www.littleriverinn.com - a couple of nights in either Ferndale or Trinidad (or both if you have the time)

Or instead of Trinidad - here http://www.requainn.com

Then up into Oregon where could pick 2 or 3 stops and then Olympic NP > and finishing up in Seattle.

There are terrific walks/hikes in every one of these areas.

Thanks for that, Crater Lake looks like getting taken out. Thought we would do Olympic after the ferry crossing to Pt Angeles at the end of the trip. Thanks.

>> Thought we would do Olympic after the ferry crossing to Pt Angeles at the end of the trip.<<

That is great -- then you wouldn't have to rush up the coast so fast, and have two night stays most places. Which you'd really need if you wanted time for exploring/walks/hikes/kayaking/whatever. Most take several hours to reach so you'd want 2 nights to give you about 1.5 days free,

<i>Re Napa -- fine area but again if it was me I'd base in Sonoma Country instead.
</i>

Or consider the Anderson Valley near Mendocino. It has very reputable wineries: https://www.google.com/webhp?gws_rd=...alley+wineries

Thanks for the options.
Can someone help us how to tackle the Avenue of Giants?
It appears on Google maps as a byway from the main road.
We are heading north and coming from Mendocino. Happy to have a couple of nights here but do we spend it in 2 locations or is the norm find a base and work from there?
Guessing its a pretty slow road with traffic mid July?
So we are -
Mendocia to say Benbow Inn at Garberville.
Its only a couple of hours but by the time we stop at Fort Bragg etc we won't roll in there till 3pm. Day over.
Next day do the Avenue of Giants and some walks.
Will we see enough that day and look at staying further north..say Fortuna...keeping in mind we will drive through the Redwood Park later,
Thanks

>>Guessing its a pretty slow road with traffic mid July?<<

Slow road - yes because it has a low speed limit. Heavy traffic - not usually.

If it was me I'd stay 2 nights in the Mendocino area and stop in Ft Bragg for a bit if you wish on one of those days -- it is only a 15 minute drive.

The Benbow is lovely and worth a stop over -- just for the experience if you want. But Logistically there is no need to stop there. Say you were staying in Ferndale the next night -- from it Mendocino is only 3 hour drive (w/o the Avenue). So w/ an additional hour or two tacked on for the Avenue of the Giants you'd still be in Ferndale by early to mid afternoon.

So stay at the Benbow if you want an 'Olde English Inn' experience - skip it otherwise.

So are you suggesting a day drive through the Avenue is long enough?
Ferndale seems off the track, off the coast, is there a reason to stay here?
Thanks

Just another query..would we have to commit to accomodation mid July or do you think we could wing it.
We normally prefer to know we have a bed at the end of the day do happy to book if necessary.

>>So are you suggesting a day drive through the Avenue is long enough?<<

The Avenue doesn't take anything like a full day. A couple of hours is fine. Three hours would be generous allowing for a couple of 45 minute walks.

>>Ferndale seems off the track, off the coast, is there a reason to stay here?<<

Yes, it is off the freeway but it is a lovely old town w/ lots of Victorians and good restaurants. No need to stay there but it makes for something different -- pressing on to Trinidad or the Requa Inn would be OK too.

>>would we have to commit to accomodation mid July<<

I would for sure -- this is a popular scenic area w/ relatively few really nice places to stay. It is semi-remote to very rural and the best places will fill up. You wouldn't have to sleep in your car or anything, but if you want a choice -- pre-book. If you don't pre-book you could end up in some spotty places.

We have done the routes you are planning several times. Just came up the coast and most places had no vacancy signs, so I would say you need to book ahead.

I think Ferndale is a cute town, but would merely take a look if you want and continue onto Trinidad. Beautiful area and great hiking and walks,

I am not a Napa fan and agree that a visit to the Anderson Valley fits in nicely.nnwe had breakfast in Napa a few weeks back and it was a zoo...horrible traffic. Speaking of traffic, we had no trouble at all on our trip up the coast.

In Canada check out Ucluelet or down the road Tofino which is more touristed and has more. Beautiful area and the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet is wonderful, We are leaving Ucluelet after 4 wonderful days here. It fits well with what you are looking for,

Happy planning! We're doing a road trip in your country in 2017.

>>I think Ferndale is a cute town, but would merely take a look if you want and continue onto Trinidad.<<

To clarify -- my original suggestion was to stay in both Ferndale AND Trinidad. If you are only going to stop over in one of them - then I'd skip Ferndale and stay in either Trinidad or at the Requa . . .

All good thank you, problem sorted.
Looking further north now so will get back if any issues.
Cheers........happy to help with your Down under trip if required. We have seen most of it.

Ultra-quiet Ferndale has some Victorian buildings and B&Bs.

The Avenue of the Giants runs parallel to the main road.

We like to stay at the Best Western in Garberville--big room, evening wine, generous breakfast, sensibly priced, and good restaurant nearby.

Crater Lake is o.k, but it's a long way in and a long way back out.

HTtY

The Avenue of the Giants is only 32 miles long...and it does parallel US-101.

Just posted out current itin for AUS and would love your comments
http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...of-my-itin.cfm

I haven't seen your posts on Canada, but I hope you consider Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast as both are just so gorgeous and wonderful scenery and hikes. I think you might like it,