easyt -- sorry, had my stupid hat on with that one -- thanks for the lightbulb, lol!

On party schools -- I think they are all getting to be that way, or perhaps they have always been that way, and I was simply too cool to consider hanging out with the frat boys and barf my guts out! My son fortunately has no peer pressure issues and would not easily fall into that stuff (I could also be parentally delusional, who knows?!). I think he'll do best in the laid back, "peace out" kind of place, where he can study languages, science, photography and do some biking. Fortunately, with his GPA and smarts, he'll have a lot of choices.

BBQ, I love all of your suggestions!

GP, thanks for the insight. Coming from LA, anything less than 5 million is like going to a small village.

Keep the ideas flowing.

Hi Suerfergirl, UC Davis sounds like a good place to check out for your son..and Davis is know for being a bicycle friendly place.

Hi, Surfergirl!

No problemo! :)

If your kid is that smart, then Reed College in Portland is probably a good fit for him.

On the other hand, there are whole bunches of small colleges in the New England states that he would feel comfortable in - if you can stand the long distances from home! Brown, Amherst, Middlebury - plenty of variety and lots to choose from.

Good luck!

Hi Surfergirl

I can add three more items two travel related
One) Caution Shameless Plug for my Alma Mater and current employer. Travel information in two and three
Your son can get a great education at Humboldt State University. (http://www.humboldt.edu/) Do not believe everything you read about us. We can deliver a quality college education with a small college feel (7000 students) at state university prices. We belong to WUE although your son should be a state resident so his fees for a year are about $3700. Rent is still cheap for costal California and we have the best setting of any CSU. Lots of bike rides around here check this 100 mile ride http://www.tuccycle.org/index.html. This also makes a great day trip in a car. Ok back to travel stuff....
Two) Day 9 what long day. It looks like the most direct route is leaving CL to the north and them back down 97 to 139 to 299 to 395 through Reno into the N. Shore about 400 miles. An alternative would be when you get to Canby (don't blink, and yes I have been there) turn west on 299 check out Burney Falls State Park. You can jump in the lake to cool off . Head down 89 take the drive through Lassen National Park. Then you can pick you poison. Head west to Red Bluff for over night before heading to Yosemite or east to Susanville for over night before heading to Yosemite. Make sure you get a place with A/C and pool as it will be HOT

Three) Day 7 We have driven this route a lot as sister in law and family lives in Gresham. Consider 26 past Mt Hood to 97 to Bend. Some nice lakes in the early part of this drive. Once you get to Warm Springs it is high desert. If your really adventurous you can take some forest service roads mostly paved (as of two years ago) from Timothy Lake along the west side of Warm Springs ending up in Detroit then take 22 south to 20 to Bend I can give you the specifics if you want. Don't stop in Sisters as it is over run with tourists (like me) in August.The other standard route from Portland is 5 south to 22 or 20 then east into Bend, most people seem to think 22 is quicker.

Have Fun
GP

Hey, Gardyloo - we have that sweatshirt, too! Stepdaughter swears it was true; just about every third person she met at UO was from California.

Seriously Surfergirl, UO turned out to be a great place for her. Good luck!