Pacific Coast trip LA to Vancouver.

[f6ber]

I am planning my route from Palm Springs to Vancouver and finally to our home in Saskatoon Canada. I am looking forward to some great scenery which means I will be sticking close to the Pacific coast for much of the trip north. We have a 36ft Safari DP pulling a Honda Accord (approx 58 ft total). I am trying to decide on the best road to take - #1 or #101. The #1 looks like a beautiful road but a bit of a white knuckler.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thank-you
F6ber

[LJowdy]

You'll be so busy watching the road on Highway 1 that you won't see anything except pavement and the next curve in the road.

[BobGed]

I would recommend staying off of Hwy 1. In many places it is very narrow, and on some turns you will be crossing over the line in front of oncoming traffic. The other thing is traveling northbound the ocean will be on the driver's side, which makes it difficult for the passenger to really see much.

Hwy 101 is a scenic highway in its own right. Farmlands to the south of SF, and redwood forests to the north.

Here is my route to avoid going through SF:

Hwy 101 North to San Jose
I-680 North to
I-780 North (near Benicia) to
I-80 North (near Vallejo) to
Hwy 37 West (near Marine World) to
Lakeville Hwy North to
Hwy 116 West to
Hwy 101 North to Petaluma and beyond

Hope you have a great trip.

[cruzbill]

We have traveled the coast highway from the Bay Area (SF) to Vancouver, BC. Hiway 1 should not be missed. Don't think of hwy 1 as a quick way to get anywhere, but as a series of short trips. In a 36' coach, you won't have a problem, although there are some 10 mph curves along the way. We traveled between state parks or Rv parks, sometimes not more that 20 miles a day between them. Stay a couple or three nights at each spot. There is so much to see along the route, take your time. We are retired and with no schedule, we took more than 3 months and still didn't see it all. Enjoy the coast and the redwoods, spectacular.

[twogypsies]

I wouldn't recommend you take 1. It's too narrow and curvy for you to enjoy it. Stay near it and drive it in your car. Also, check the road information for Hwy 1 as there was a bridge washed out and Hwy 1 is closed at that point. It was south of San Francisco.

If you're ready for a stop to explore the redwoods, stay at Ancient Redwoods RV at Redcrest on 101. There are some very nice easy walks through the big trees.


Once you enter Oregon on 101 you'll be driving along the ocean constantly through Oregon. The state parks make a great stay. For your first stop in Oregon Cape Blanco State Park would be an excellent one and doesn't accept reservations but there are usually spots. It has a lighthouse and an almost vacant, awesome beach for strolling. Plan at least three stops along the Oregon coast and you can easily explore the whole coast that way.

[f6ber]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions. It does sound like Hwy 1 is
beautiful and if I get a chance, I really want to do it but with my motorcycle. I think the motorhome might put a bit of a strain on the marriage lol. There will be some parts we can check out with the car. We are planning on taking our time, approx 3 weeks.

I am glad to hear that in Oregon the 101 is along the ocean side. I will certainly check out the route to avoid SF. That was also a concern I had. I will check out the points of interest and the suggested places to stay.

Great suggestions, we are really getting anxious to go. We put our coach in storage March 1 and fly out Sunday to pick her up. Thank you all again, this really has been helpful!!

[travelboy]

We drove Hwy 1, F250 pulling a 30 foot fifth wheel trailer. I did it once, but not again. Beautiful views for sure. But, multiple hairpin turns at the bottom between hills (steep down, hairpin turn, steep up) was stressful. I agree with taking Hwy 101. You will come to the coast just north of Eureka. The Oregon coast is spectacular. And, when you get home, please ask Tim Horton to open shops in Portland, Oregon.

[f6ber]

Thanks for that. Like I mentioned before, sounds like Hwy 1 is a motorcycle ride! Hwy 101 sounds like a very nice drive. We have a car to visit particular points of interest. As for Tim Hortons, I don't have a lot of clout. I certainly don't miss a lot of them on them on the road.

[egwilly]

from the Caltrans website.....highway 1 is still closed due to a slide....
SR 1
[IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA]
NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA.

[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA]
IS CLOSED FROM RAGGED POINT (SAN LUIS OBISPO CO) TO GORDA (MONTEREY CO)
- DUE TO MUDSLIDE REMOVAL - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE
- MOTORISTS CAN ACCESS SR 1 FROM GORDA TO LIMEKILN STATE PARK BY USING
NACIMIENTO-FERGUSON RD

IS CLOSED FROM LIMEKILN CREEK BRIDGE TO 0.5 MI SOUTH OF BIG SUR STATE PARK
/IN BIG SUR/ (MONTEREY CO) - DUE TO MUDSLIDE REMOVAL & BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
- MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

IS CLOSED FROM 3.3 MI NORTH OF THE JCT OF US 101 /AT PANORAMIC HIGHWAY/ TO
5.7 MI NORTH OF THE JCT OF US 101 /AT PACIFIC WAY/ (MARIN CO) - DUE TO A
SLIP-OUT - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE - LOCAL RESIDENTS
WITH PROPER IDENTIFICATION WILL BE ALLOWED ACCESS

IS CLOSED FROM 1 MI NORTH OF MUIR BEACH /AT SLIDE RANCH/ TO 0.2 MI SOUTH
OF STINSON BEACH (MARIN CO) - DUE TO MUDSLIDE REMOVAL - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED
TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE - LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH PROPER IDENTIFICATION WILL BE
ALLOWED ACCESS

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC 4.9 MI NORTH OF BIG SUR (MONTEREY CO) 24 HRS A DAY
7 DAYS A WEEK THRU 1700 HRS ON 5/19/17 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS FROM 5.6 MI SOUTH OF
THE JCT OF SR 46 /AT VILLA CREEK RD/ TO 2 MI SOUTH OF THE JCT OF SR 46
/AT HARMONY VALLEY RD/ (SAN LUIS OBISPO CO) FROM 0900 HRS TO 1515 HRS
MONDAY THRU THURSDAY THRU 4/27/17 - DUE TO MAINTENANCE

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC FROM 1.2 MI NORTH TO 1.5 MI NORTH OF CARMET
(SONOMA CO) 24 HRS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK THRU 1800 HRS ON 5/31/17 - DUE TO
CONSTRUCTION

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS FROM 4.4 MI NORTH OF THE
JCT OF SR 116 /AT RUSSIAN GULCH/ TO 6.3 MI SOUTH OF FORT ROSS
/AT MEYERS GRADE RD/ (SONOMA CO) - DUE TO FLOOD DAMAGE REPAIR - MOTORISTS ARE
SUBJECT TO DELAYS OF UP TO 30 MINUTES

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS FROM 11.1 MI NORTH TO
12.4 MI NORTH OF THE JCT OF SR 116 (SONOMA CO) 24 HRS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK THRU
2359 HRS ON 5/31/17 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION

[IN THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA]
1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC 2.5 MI SOUTH OF ROCKPORT (MENDOCINO CO) - DUE TO
MUDSLIDE REMOVAL

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC FROM PINE AVE TO FIR AVE /IN FORT BRAGG/
(MENDOCINO CO) FROM 0730 HRS TO 1600 HRS ON 4/27/17 - DUE TO MAINTENANCE

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC FROM 2.3 MI SOUTH TO 0.7 MI SOUTH OF
THE JCT OF US 101 (MENDOCINO CO) - DUE TO MUDSLIDE REMOVAL

[Hgrace56]

Just came South om 101.
At SLO now heading home to LA tomorrow.
Love this road. One of my favorite.
1 is too slow and uncomfortable.
33 foot gasser pulling my SUV toad.

[f6ber]

Looks like there are a lot of trouble areas on Hwy 1. We will definately be taking 101. It does sound like a nice road and in good shape. I am going to look up the "Caltrans website".

Thanks

[FirstTracks]

We did most of the Oregon coast on a truck camping trip from Utah last summer, before we bought our TT. This may give you some ideas: http://www.firsttracksonline.com/boa...=12171&p=76177

[coupevilleDF]

The south end of your route has been covered pretty well. Once you've done the Oregon Coast, continue on 101 across the bridge at Astoria and through Washington. I'll admit that the views of the ocean are not as spectacular on this stretch, but it is still pretty scenic.

There are lots of places to camp or browse. As you continue north, unhook the toad and visit the Hoh Rain Forest and Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park, abandoned drive out to Neah Bay, northwest corner of the continental US. Salt Creek County Park located on the Straight of Jaun de Fuca is a good base for visiting these areas. If you are a hiker, take the 5 mile beach walk out to the New Dungeness Light House.

Be sure to stop in Port Townsend and visit the shops and the Wooden Boat Center before bringng the ferry across to Whidbey Island. On Whidbey, visit Fort Casey and the Admiralty Light House, the Town of Coupeville and enjoy the scenic farm land, beaches and forests in the Ebeys National Historic Reserve. The ferry is not cheap and can have wind and tide cancellations. They recommend reservations. You may save money by driving the toad on separately. It's still worth it.

On the north end of Whidbey is Deception Pass State Park. It's a great place to camp but you will need reservations, especially for your size. There are commercial RV parks in the area as well.

Once you leave Deception Pass, continue on SR20 to I 5 and head north to Vancouver.

I've missed a bunch of stuff along the way but hopefully this will get you started.

[FirstTracks]

Thanks DeVille, I appreciated that too.