Looking for CA options.

[traveldawg]

Looking to drive from Yosemite (Lee Vining) through CA and up to Kalamath Falls, OR.

Should I go up CA rout 1 along the coast or up US 101?

And what would I see or miss going either way?

This isn't for this year.

Thanks.

[Alan_Hepburn]

You would most likely pick up Hwy 1 just north of the Golden Gate, and it ends at Leggett - the first few miles are very narrow and windy, and the rest is just slightly less narrow and windy. It would be a workout for an RV, and other than scenery there's not much you'd miss by staying on Hwy 101. Hwy 101 is a lot easier to drive in an RV, and you'll have a better selection of fueling options and tourist stops.

[HighDesert]

Originally Posted by Alan_Hepburn

You would most likely pick up Hwy 1 just north of the Golden Gate, and it ends at Leggett - the first few miles are very narrow and windy, and the rest is just slightly less narrow and windy. It would be a workout for an RV, and other than scenery there's not much you'd miss by staying on Hwy 101. Hwy 101 is a lot easier to drive in an RV, and you'll have a better selection of fueling options and tourist stops.

Plus, you need to figure out where you want to cut over to get to Klamath Falls. If you are coming up 101, you could cut over to 199 at Crescent City, then up through Grants Pass, past Crater Lake NP on 62 then on to Hwy 97 South to KF. The other option is to pick up Hwy 96 to I5, just north of Yreka, then south on I5 to Hwy 89, in Weed, then on to KF. Hwy 96 would be faster, and you'd go along the Klamath River. There is not much along that route so be sure to have fuel to get you to Yreka. Kind of the same for 199, as Grants Pass, or the Medford area is your best refueling bet.
Hope this gives you some insight on the options in the northern part of Ca.

[NevadaNick]

Just go up 395 to 299 to 139. The interior of the US is just as beautiful as the coast.

[scubadude62]

Ditto for US-395. Great, scenic route,

[traveldawg]

Looks like the coastal drive is loosing out. No biggie. We drove the Oregon coast once and weren't really enchanted with that.

How about hitting Lassen Volcanic Nat'l Park & lave Beds Nat'l Monument?

[Sfopilot]

Just completed CA 89 thru Lassen Volcanic National Park yesterday afternoon. Left Susanville westbound on CA 36, then CA 89 thru LVNP and camped at Manzanita Lake Campground. traveling in 2015 Tiffin Red 36QSA. What a fantastic ride! Beautiful road, barely any traffic, gorgeous views and not nearly as difficult as I would have thought from google maps satellite view. Speed limit is mostly 35mph but some hairpin curves required much slower due to NO GUARDRAILS!![emoji33]
Anything under 45ft OK.

[R.Wold]

if you are trying to get there I’d take 99 to red bluff, 5 to 97 and get there. The coast is great but there are a lot of drawbacks to the route, not he least of which is the construction/one lane road north of FT Bragg. But if you are leaving from Lee Vining just take 395 to Alturas, 299 to 139 and you’ll be there. If you want something more scenic, take 139 out of Susanville. Plenty of CGs and you won’t be disappointed..

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by traveldawg

We drove the Oregon coast once and weren't really enchanted with that.

Really? That's the first I've heard that comment. It's the very best coastal drive and just about all of the coast is set aside for the public.

[R.Wold]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Really? That's the first I've heard that comment. It's the very best coastal drive and just about all of the coast is set aside for the public.

i have to agree. the oregon coast is among the most dramatic and inspiring of all the coastal experiences in the US. And I’ve driven them all. Also the small towns on the Oregon coast and the shops and other attractions are amount the best. Go to any of the five or six antique/thrift shops in Florence and poke around. Head down to the port and buy some fish or try a seafood joint. I could go on and on. The Oregon Coast is a Jem!

[twogypsies]

You stated Lee Vining to Klamath Falls, Oregon..... why are you going all the way over to the coast?

Take 395 north to Susanville, CA then 44/89 to I-5 at Mt. Shasta for a few miles then pick up 97 to Klamath Falls, Oregon

There a Klamath, CA but you stated Klamath Falls, Oregon

[traveldawg]

Looking now at stopping at Lassen Volcanic NM after the Lake Tahoe area then Lava Beds NM. Just not sure which way I would go from Lassen - either CA139 or CA89 and US97.

All this is still a work-in-progress.

Nope - not interested in the West Coast. Been there. Not saying the Oregon coast isn't nice. Just not some place we'd go back to given so many other options. I suppose we thought it would be more like CA between San Francisco and San Simeon.

We've also been on every coast. Our go back to places are the panhandle of FL for the great beaches and water and the Canadian Maritimes for the beautiful (and uncrowded) coastlines there.

Thanks for the comments and keep them coming. Like I said - a work-in-progress.

[Rodg495]

Coastal road is difficult to enjoy if you're driving a big RV. Lots of tight corners, trucks and steep climbs. You will be busy. Going thru Yosemite is very close and winding also. Very limited parking in the Valley at Yosemite.

[R.Wold]

Originally Posted by traveldawg

Looking now at stopping at Lassen Volcanic NM after the Lake Tahoe area then Lava Beds NM. Just not sure which way I would go from Lassen - either CA139 or CA89 and US97.

All this is still a work-in-progress.

Nope - not interested in the West Coast. Been there. Not saying the Oregon coast isn't nice. Just not some place we'd go back to given so many other options. I suppose we thought it would be more like CA between San Francisco and San Simeon.

We've also been on every coast. Our go back to places are the panhandle of FL for the great beaches and water and the Canadian Maritimes for the beautiful (and uncrowded) coastlines there.

Thanks for the comments and keep them coming. Like I said - a work-in-progress.

I would take 89. Good road, scenic, and direct.