Road Trip Vacation Advice: Seattle-San Diego in 15 days

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

On the PCH most of the way, stopping to see lighthouses, detour in San Francisco, take a look at a couple of national parks along the way, Carmel/Monterey Peninsula/all the way to San Diego - by car. 15 days (we'll fly to SEA and leave from LAX - my sis is in Irvine). Can it be done? We are planning this around Memorial Day. Anything we shouldn't miss? Anything we should miss (note: I've been to Seattle, San Fran and LA several times; my hubby has only been to LA).

[LNM]

1. stop at San Simeon, the Hearst Castle

It's pretty impressive. Also, the aquarium at Monterey is great. Monterey, not so much, although it's been about 10 years since I've been there.

[Fire Walk With Me]

2. Do not miss Big Sur, the 17 mile drive, etc.

http://www.pebblebeach.com/activities/explore-the-monterey-peninsula/17-mile-drive

[PufPuf23]

3. Drive old 101 through Redwood National Park rather than the newer bypass

Lots of people like Lady Bird Johnson's Grove, Prairie Crek Redwoods, and Fern Canyon in Redwood NP.

Trinidad (nice restaurant at the harbor)

Patricks Point State Park

Old Town Eureka

Ferndale

Rockefeller Forest (in Humboldt Redwoods Park in southern Humboldt).

(all Humboldt county of north coast California)

Grab the free weekly North Coast Journal for restauranrs, music, the arts, and other special interests.

[CreekDog]

4. Avenue of the Giants (Redwoods) south of Eureka

and if you have 15 days, some time along the coast in Oregon or Washington is worthwhile.

[taterguy]

5. Don't miss Point Lobo Nature Preserve south of Carmel

Honestly the most beautiful natural spot I've ever been to.

I'd try to allow yourself a few hours to walk around there.

[david13]

6. Leave the car. Ride the motorcycle. dc

[nolabear]

7. Go down the Washington/Oregon Coast. It's really gorgeous.

And if you want a great experience stop at Nye Beach and stay at The Sylvia Beach Hotel. It's a hotel for writers and book lovers, a huge old funky place (clean and comfy though) up on a bluff over the ocean. Each room is decorated in the style of a famous writer--the Poe Room is crepe-y and has a pendulum over the bed, the Tennessee Williams Room has a bed draped in mosquito netting, the Shakespeare Room looks like A Midsummer Night's Dream, etc. THey're just magnificent. The top floor is the library, a whole floor with windows overlooking the ocean, big old sofas and comforters, a fireplace, and mulled wine at night. There are bodies everywhere, people reading and sleeping under books, enjoying the warmth. And the restaurant is magnificent. You eat family style, amazing food, and play "Two Truths and a Lie" with your tablemates. Honestly, it's a blast.

They have a website but last I looked it was pen-and-ink and you can't see photos, but it's great. And you can walk all around to the little bars, cafes and stores.

Mmmm... now I want to go back myself. I did a lot of good writing in that place.

(The owners also own the Rimsky-Korsacoffeehouse in Portland, also not to be missed).

[tigereye]

8. damn, I want to go - that sounds wonderful!

[flying rabbit]

9. Mo's clam chowder

in Newport on the 101, but they do have other locations on the Oregon coast.

[CabalPowered]

15. Mo's is good

But the Rogue Brewery clam chowder is better IMO. :hi:

[pokerfan]

10. First off, you're doing it in the right direction

Going north to south puts the ocean on your right which means that it will be easier to pull off at scenic spots which will tend to be on the ocean side.

Tillamook Cheese Factory - I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream

Hiking in the Ventana Wilderness, Big Sur

Hike the cliffs at Torrey Pines State Park

Cabrillo National Monument at the tip of Point Loma, San Diego

More ideas: http://wikitravel.org/en/Pacific_Coast_Highway

[Bennyboy]

11. I have done this.

Oregon is incredible. The pineapple belt they call it with sunny weather. Astoria. take you time.
Newport has one of the best breweries in Rogue. Right under the bridge. There is a great aquarium next door.
Brookings is beautiful.

Be sure to take the trip thru Eureka (another GREAT brewery in Lost Coast). Hit the redwoods via Ave of The Giants. Stop at trees of Mystery (I know it is touristy but if you have never been you must go).Maybe go to shelter Cove. I love Richardson grove State park in Benbow (below Garberville). Be sure to stop at the place that has the weird statues out front. rally great art and wood carvings.

Fort Bragg is awesome. A great brewery i North Coast with some of the best beers in the world. McKerricker State Park has great camping, a great beach, tide pools,sea lions etc. Glass Beach is in Fort Bragg and is nice.
Mendocino is great.

The drive from Mendo to SF is hairy as hell so be ready. It is also incredible. Guernville is awesome and again has a great brewery, StumpTown. If you don't take Highway 1 to SF and instead take the 101, and are in Willits (redwoods, hippies) be sure to stop at Ardellas for breakfast or Lunch. Incredible hand made food.

The area from here to SF is wine country, Lots of great towns (and great breweries). Santa Rosa has a great downtown and is full of art and parks. Healdsburg is the same way (Bear Republic brewery).


ORegon http://picasaweb.google.com/bennyboy420/ORegonToCaliforniaOnTheCoast09?authkey=Gv1sRgCNyMvaTSg9Km9wE#



Eureka to Garberville http://picasaweb.google.com/bennyboy420/RedwoodsToEureka?authkey=Gv1sRgCOCCro_79ZmrYg#



REDWOODS TO FORT BRAGG http://picasaweb.google.com/bennyboy420/RedwoodsToFortBragg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJOoteqwtu2UJA#

[Bennyboy]

19. From Marin to San Diego

Go to the the trail up Mt Tam. Best view of SF ever.

Stay in the marina at Alpha hotel (Lombard and Divisadero) Great restaurants all over the area on Chestnut adn Union Streets. The marina is nice.. Judy for breakfast is incredible (Chestnut street)

Lands End, The Cliff House and Ocean Beach lead to the Great Highway. The Beach Chalet is there and for sunsets you cant beat it. Decent beer good food. This is the west end of the Golden gate Park.

If you don't have a big city zoo, the SF zoo is nice to visit.. Sloat blvd. The best coffee is across the street at Java Beach (and los by Ocean Beach)


Leaving SF< go Skyline Blvd and hit the park at Fort Funsten. Hang gliders if the day is right. Nice view anyway.

Pacifica is not much, some decent rests but not much.

The Town of Half Moon Bay is sweet. Lots of galleries. Three Amigos (as you are leaving town last stop light on the right)is the best taqueria in the US. Also take that street down to the water and there are some killer art galleries down there.. The brewery is great too.

The town of Davidson has a couple of good places to eat and some great galleries. Lots of winding roads (Devils slide area)beaches and places to hike...

Ask in Davidson where "Hole In The Wall" is. Nice PRIVATE beach with natural acrches and a tennel that goes under the road (FLASHLIGHTS A MUST).

Santa Cruz has a great sttae park. And natural Arches park. Great brewery too at Seabright.If the coaster is running get on it. the rest of the boardwalk is lame but that coaster is old school and still a thrill. Great Disc Golf course at De la Viega park, the pebble beach of disc gold.

Monterey: The aquarium is great. Be sure to go down 17 mile drivee vent hough it is spendy. You can walk on Pebble Beach course, and visit the club house. The Lone Cypress is on this drive, the sea lion rookery is there too as well as Joe Point the weirdest place where the currents come together.

[WinkyDink]

12. I did it, from Vancouver to Tijuana, in about ten days, maybe a few more.

[LibDemAlways]

13. Stop in Florence, Oregon, and have dinner at Waterfront Depot. Some of the

most delicious seafood ever. You'll need to make a reservation well in advance. It's small and can't seat many, but it's memorable. Can't wait to go back.

[Supply Side Jesus]

14. Detour to Port Angeles and ferry to Victoria BC

Olympic Peninsula is a beaut

[ipfilter]

16. Drive up I5 out of Seattle

and over to Whidbey Island by way of Deception Pass. Then drive down through Whidbey and take a ferry from Coupeville over to Port Townsend. From here you can get on the 101 and drive around the Olympic Peninsula and then down the coast of Washington. I believe 101 is also part of the PCH.

[kwassa]

17. The birds in Bodega Bay are quite unusual

I just saw this on TV the other night

And check out the Pfieffer state parks in Big Sur.

Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park





and the other Pfieffer state park

[XemaSab]

18. I'm the first person to mention Point Reyes?

Also, which parks were you wanting to visit?

If you want to go to Crater Lake, Yosemite, or anything else inland that will affect the route.

[Zorro]

20. Spend a night at the Hearst Hacienda

Designed by Julia Hunt Morgan, it's on Fort Hunter Liggett property and rooms are rented to civilians. It's pretty cheap, too. Go for a Tower room. It's not Ritz-Carleton class, but the rooms are relatively comfortable, and the surrounding scenery is quite nice. You can also take a short walk over to Mission San Antonio, which is probably the least visited of all the ones founded by Father Junipero Serra.

You can reach the hacienda by taking the Ferguson-Nacimiento Road from Hwy 1, but I'd recommend reaching it by taking 101 and going inland, and then driving over to the coast and picking up the drive down to San Simeon.