EATRUNTRAVEL

I am looking for some trip suggestions for my upcoming trip to California. I live in SC and will be traveling to San Fran for the San Fran Marathon. We have decided to make it a little vacation with a run involved. We will be flying to San Fran on a Friday and will arrive mid morning. Plan to check on San Fran on Friday and Saturday and then run the Marathon on Sunday. Possibly see a few things on Sunday and then head to Sonoma/Napa on Monday to explore wine country.

Trying to decide if we want to drive up the coast to Portland after visiting Sonoma/Napa? What would you recommmend as must see's? We want to head up the coast slowly and stay along the way. We would be flying back home on Saturday on a late night flight.

We like adventure, oceans, wine, good food, nature, and almost anything in between.

Thanks for your help!!

Michael

Here are things to see on your way to Oregon:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...ith/4853745574

The Anderson Valley (rte 128) on the way to Mendocino also has well known vineyards.

Tomsd

There are several recent posts (under Oregon) for traveling the incredible Oregon Coast.

After you visit Napa/Wine country - I would recommend you head up Interstate 5 (past beautiful Mt. Shasta) to Ashland - and maybe stop there for the night (check to see the schedule for the Shakespeare festival plays - if that interests you).

Or - you could also push on another hour or so to Roseburg/ Sutherlin for the night - and drive over to the Coast from there.

Here is an older Fodor's post discussing those options. http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...egon-coast.cfm

There are a number of very cute places to stay on the Oregon Coast - and the Surfrider Resort - at Depoe Bay - south of Lincoln City - is one of my favorites - and it's next to a nice park. Reasonable rates and a good restaurant with a terrific view. http://surfriderresort.com/

tomfuller

Stay a night in Napa Valley the zoom up I-5 to Portland 9 hours.
Spend a night in Portland. Head west on US 30 to Astoria. From Astoria, take at least 3 days to get back to San Francisco to turn in the rental car.

nevermind

I like tomfuller's suggestion. It seems it would be more fun to get the hurrying part of your trip over with early in the game, then enjoy a leisurely drive back down the coast. I'm not familiar with the Oregon Coast, but do know that in California the area around Humbolt (beautiful redwoods) and the coast from Mendocino down are well worth the investment of several days.

Good luck on your marathon. My husband ran the San Francisco Marathon many years ago. He's also run the Avenue of the Giants (up in Humbolt), and the Boston. His marathoning gave our family lots of fun vacations. I hope you enjoy yours!!

EATRUNTRAVEL

Thanks for the suggestions. We are planning to fly out of Portland on the way back, so no need to hurry. We are excited!!!

tomfuller

Are you paying a drop off fee to leave the car in Portland?
I really do prefer the southbound route along the Oregon and California coast.
There are wineries to see off I-5 in Oregon. Take the time to head about 30 miles east of Portland to see Multnomah Falls, Mt. Hood and the Columbia Gorge.
If you want a great event in Oregon, the 3P's race is unique to the Bend area. Pole, Pedal, Paddle. It involves skiing on Mt Bachelor, pedaling a bike down to Bend and then paddling a kayak on the Deschutes River.

tomfuller

Any of you crazies out there want to be in Bend on May 19?
http://www.pppbend.com/race_guide.htm

Tomsd

Hey - I could do fine skiing and hauling arse on the bike but would probably be so amped up - would tip over the Kayak.

EATRUNTRAVEL

We have found a rental car company that lets you pick up in San Fran and drop off in Portland for a good prices. (Avis)

Tomsd

Good for you. Always like to avoid any big drop off fees.

Is the SF Marathon in July? If so - you could zip up I-5 to Ashland (again - the Shakespeare festival should be in full swing - if that interests you)- maybe 5 hours from once you get around Sacramento - or just keep on a bit further to Crater Lake. http://tinyurl.com/bw3ejgb

From there - you could take the very scenic drive over to the Coast on 138 - along the North fork of the Umpqua River - and on through the wine country around Roseburg/Southerlin - and then leisurely make you way up the Coast and later over to the Gorge/Mt. Hood.

Or - you could just romp on through all the way to Portland (4? hours beyond Ashland) and then make your way over and down the Coast from there.