Community Forums

tlynt · 08-24-2015, 12:50 AM

Hi Y'all!

So many of you have helped out giving great advice on how to get us North to BC and Alaska... our first and biggest issue is seeing some of that Oregon Coast! We are planning to take the 5 from Cali into Oregon but we would love to see the ocean and visit some good surf spots. Does anyone have any information on the road conditions on the coast in Oregon or on the smaller connecting highways? We have a 2002 Holiday Rambler and can overheat a little on a lot of hills.
Our concerns are unpaved or rough roads, terribly winding roads or roads where a sheer cliff is the next lane over! We are trying to avoid as much sheer drop offs as possible - but don't really remember from years ago what beaches are best to visit and how the roads are getting there. Any suggestions would be great. We would love to find a place or two with great surf, fresh water fishing and hopefully a few parts stores in town. Also, any suggestions as which is the best way to switch from the 5 to the coast (which is best connection) would be great!! Thank you. ** As well, we will be traveling on to WA if there is any good info about coastal roads that would be great too!

jacwjames · 08-24-2015, 07:47 AM

We drove the coastal highway 101 from Washington State all the way into California in 2009. We have a 38 PKD Windsor

The Oregon section of the 101 is very scenic. I do not recall any unpaved portions. There are some section that have windy road and hills but nothing that you probably already haven't already seen in parts of your travels.

I would just jump over from 5 at a convenient spot and enjoy the drive north.

If you are now having trouble with overheating I would have it looked at. If your's is a rear radiator coach I would suspect that it needs to be cleaned. Do some searches on IRV2 on the best way.

tlynt · 08-24-2015, 08:51 AM

Thank you! Yes, we have taken care
of the radiator but we like to just take
precautions until we know She's all good!
Mostly, we want to avoid any areas with the sheer
drop offs and/or rock slides etc. We avoided the
California coast because we had so many issues
on our last trip up North with falling rocks and so
much debris in the road. We are not as familiar with Oregon,
so we are trying to get any insight into the roads along the coast -
or if there is a known easy route to take from the 5 to the coast especially
for some surf and/or fish!.
Thanks again!

Civdiv99 · 08-24-2015, 09:09 AM

If your travel flexibility allows, you might consider checking the wind forecast for the coast. The onshore/angled out of the NW winds can be amazingly strong and relentless there.

Setting that aside, it's a nice road. Be not in any hurry to get anywhere. There will be traffic, and ya go through all the little small towns and stuff, plus lots of great scenery.

1bigmess · 08-24-2015, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlynt

Our concerns are rough roads, terribly winding roads or roads where a sheer cliff is the next lane over! We are trying to avoid as much sheer drop offs as possible

Sounds like if you have problems with these kinds of roads, you're gonna miss a lot of great scenery. You have just described the best parts of the West Coast IMO.

TMan59 · 08-24-2015, 10:00 AM

From Eugene you can get over to Florence on 126? Or hwy 36. 36 very twisty.
126 has to be better from what I am told.
Anything south of there to cross over is challenging.
Hwy 20 up at Salem is easy.

MrsChilerick · 08-24-2015, 10:10 AM

If you are going up the coast from SoCal, why are you taking the 5 instead of the 101? Is there somewhere along the 5 you want/need to be? We always take the 101. The road is in better shape, the views are better, and we'd much rather drive the Cuesta Grade than the Grapevine any day. You can take the 101 all the way into Washington state. Lots of good options to get over to the 5 south of Seattle.

beaverfever · 08-24-2015, 05:08 PM

if you are on 101 stay on it ,if you are on 5 take 20 west to 101 . there are no major hills to climb,the weather is cooler,smoke free and much more scenic

slickest1 · 08-24-2015, 08:22 PM

We travelled the 101 from Arcata Ca. to Newport Or. last spring. It is a good road with no real big hills to climb.
We cut over from I5 at Redding on the 299 which I would not recommend. It is very winding, hilly and narrow in spots, not a relaxing drive.
The 101 was very scenic but there is very few if any spots to pull off to enjoy the scenery without crossing the traffic and parking on the wrong side. There are alot of roads that go to the beach but not being able to see in there I did not want to drive in with the toad and get jammed up.
The scenery is second to none and there are alot of small towns to stop in.

Ray,IN · 08-24-2015, 08:28 PM

Speaking from experience, DO NOT attempt to drive CA 299 from Redding to the coast. I ignored the truckers atlas and drove that "highway" pulling a 32' 5er. It took us most of the day to drive to the coast from Redding, top speed was something like 35 mph, and some of the curves required me to use both lanes, very few pullouts long enough for an RV rig, steep grades intermixed with curves and very soon I had a long backup of impatient cars. Lesson learned, stick to yellow highlighted routes in the truckers atlas.

1bigmess · 08-24-2015, 08:50 PM

Since we're talking about roads to the coast that are not fun, definitely do *not* take highway 36 from I5 to US 101, either. It's one lane road in a good stretch. Not for someone that really knows the physical size limits of their vehicle and nerves of at least mild steel.

1ciderdog · 08-24-2015, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Speaking from experience, DO NOT attempt to drive CA 299 from Redding to the coast. I ignored the truckers atlas and drove that "highway" pulling a 32' 5er. It took us most of the day to drive to the coast from Redding, top speed was something like 35 mph, and some of the curves required me to use both lanes, very few pullouts long enough for an RV rig, steep grades intermixed with curves and very soon I had a long backup of impatient cars. Lesson learned, stick to yellow highlighted routes in the truckers atlas.

Just a real different opinion or comment. I've traveled CA299 with my RV with tow vehicle and didn't have any problem or concern. I think top speed was well above the 35 mph but that's me and my memory. It is a mountain road with lots of curves and grades but you are crossing the coastal mountain range and it is not an interstate. Yes, scenic, pretty and slow.

twogypsies · 08-24-2015, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaverfever

if you are on 101 stay on it ,if you are on 5 take 20 west to 101 . there are no major hills to climb,the weather is cooler,smoke free and much more scenic

This is an easy way to get from California I-5 to 101 for a pleasant drive up the coast - no unpaved roads, no sheer drop-offs, no falling debris.

Don't confuse 101 for Hwy 1. I would not recommend Hwy 1 for you.

Have a good trip!

elkski · 08-24-2015, 09:49 PM

Just did the OR coast from the Columbia to Arcata, cA in July 2015. Should be fine in any size RV. The 299 was a narrow long road and all the tight turns are being taken out as you head down into the Redding valley so construction delays. Google about free rv spots on the Oregon coast. Lucky seven casino lets you park 3 days for free. Wed - Sat that have Texas hold em tournament at 5:30 pm. Brookings has a fun pier area and market on Sat. The pizza place on the pier is great.