Hello. We are driving a car from SF to Seattle over the Thanksgiving weekend. After studying previous postings we were thinking of the following itinerary and were looking for some input and/or corrections:

Day one: SF to Elk/Mendocino area (4 1/2 hrs. drive time if catch highway 1 at Jenner)

Day two: Mendocino to Gold Beach -- stay at Tu Tu Tuun Lodge? (10 hrs? drive time)

Day Three: Gold Beach to Waldport and stay at Cliff House (4 or 5 hrs?)

Day Four: Waldport to Seattle -- not sure about that drive time

--do you think going as far north as Waldport is worth it? Or should we start taking a more direct route to Seattle after Gold Beach? BTW we've already been to the Columbia River Gorge and Portland this summer.

Any comments or suggestions? We're moving to Seattle and don't have much time off from work -- that's why we're rushing along the coast.

I've done this drive dozens of times, Sheila, and my opinion is that your second day is too long. In addition to a very slow drive - and scenic, worth stops - along Cal. SR1, you'll be going through the Redwoods which (a) is not a fast route through parts of the area, and (b) is deserving of a slow pace, with lots of stops. IMO this is the highlight of the trip, not to be rushed, especially since you'll be running out of daylight around Crescent City with this route.

Instead, I'd look to overnight around Eureka, and relax and have a fun dinner at the Samoa Cookhouse in Samoa, across the bay from Eureka. Then the next morning, head north, staying at Waldport or, better IMO, around Florence or Newport. The drive from there (say Florence) to Seattle is around 7 hours by most routes, use your judgement and base your choice on the weather. In the rain, the coast from Newport north can be a pain, and far from the most scenic part of the state; you can cut over to Interstate 5 from Florence or Newport, then head north. Otherwise, you can stick to US 101, cross the Columbia, then cut over to I-5 at Olympia.

A suggestion at the southern end of your trip - Take SR1 all the way from SF, don't cut over at Jenner. The drive up through the hills behind Mill Valley and down to Stinson Beach is awesome.

Sheila, sorry, I had a brain cramp - you said Waldport, and I was thinking Reedsport (yes, I know I wrote Waldport down.) Fine, Waldport is fine for an overnight. Around 7-8 hrs from Eureka, not a bad day's pace for the coast.

I couldn't really comment on the rest of your trip, but try to keep Elk if you can. It's so beautiful there and the drive is great.

Sheila - John's comments about day 2 are very valuable. Especially if the weather turns on you - that would be a deadly long day.

Also - taking 101 and cutting over at Jenner doesn't save you THAT much time but it does cut out a lot of gorgeous scenery. Stick w. Hwy 1 until you get up into Oregon and cut over to I5. (Thanksgiving weekend is a busy travel time and 101 is likely to be crammed)

Thank you SO much for your help. Do you have any more suggestions for restaurants, activities, and/or hotels?
Many thanks!