- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Driving the Pacific Coast Highway
Posted on 12/1/16 at 5:06 pm
Posted on 12/1/16 at 5:06 pm
Anybody done it and if so, have any advice? Want to drive the majority of the coastline, north to south, probably starting in Seattle.
ETA: This one is happening! I leave Wednesday, here's my tentative and succinct itinerary:
Day 1 - Fly into Seattle, spend a half day exploring, head to Portland for the night. Typical tourist traps on the list for both cities. Was going to try and catch a Mariner's game but it sounds like rain - may drive west to the ocean and make a big loop back to Portland for the night
Day 2 - Portland to Arcata, CA - Redwoods National Park on the list, mostly coastal driving after Eugene
Day 3 - Arcata to San Francisco - Fort Bragg, Mendocino, Bodega Bay and any San Fran activities we can fit in.
Day 4 - San Francisco to Bay Area - AKA staying in SF all day and the hotel is in the Bay. Laundry list of items on the list, doubt I make it to all of them, but starting the day with a quick trip up to Napa Valley.
Day 5 - Bay Area to Santa Barbara - Greyhound Rock Beach, Monterey, Bixby Creek Bridge. Then from here we have to go inland around Big Sur which is a HUGE bummer. I'm really disappointed we won't be able to spend any time there, and it's a big inconvenience to have to go around. Skipping San Simeon/Hearst Castle due to this as well. Going directly to San Luis Obispo and then on to Santa Barbara
Day 6 - Santa Barbara to LA - spending most of our time in LA with stops in Venice prior. Another laundry list of attractions we probably won't get to, but we'll do our best
Day 7 - LA to San Diego. Bummed I won't get to spend much time in SD, but may try for Laguna Beach and then the zoo before flying out around 3PM
Overall I'm pumped for this trip, but I'm cramming about 2 weeks worth of travel into a week, so I'm sure I won't be able to get it all accomplished. Any suggestions on what to definitely see/do, and also what not to waste time on, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the suggestions already! I'll report back wth pictures as well.
ETA: This one is happening! I leave Wednesday, here's my tentative and succinct itinerary:
Day 1 - Fly into Seattle, spend a half day exploring, head to Portland for the night. Typical tourist traps on the list for both cities. Was going to try and catch a Mariner's game but it sounds like rain - may drive west to the ocean and make a big loop back to Portland for the night
Day 2 - Portland to Arcata, CA - Redwoods National Park on the list, mostly coastal driving after Eugene
Day 3 - Arcata to San Francisco - Fort Bragg, Mendocino, Bodega Bay and any San Fran activities we can fit in.
Day 4 - San Francisco to Bay Area - AKA staying in SF all day and the hotel is in the Bay. Laundry list of items on the list, doubt I make it to all of them, but starting the day with a quick trip up to Napa Valley.
Day 5 - Bay Area to Santa Barbara - Greyhound Rock Beach, Monterey, Bixby Creek Bridge. Then from here we have to go inland around Big Sur which is a HUGE bummer. I'm really disappointed we won't be able to spend any time there, and it's a big inconvenience to have to go around. Skipping San Simeon/Hearst Castle due to this as well. Going directly to San Luis Obispo and then on to Santa Barbara
Day 6 - Santa Barbara to LA - spending most of our time in LA with stops in Venice prior. Another laundry list of attractions we probably won't get to, but we'll do our best
Day 7 - LA to San Diego. Bummed I won't get to spend much time in SD, but may try for Laguna Beach and then the zoo before flying out around 3PM
Overall I'm pumped for this trip, but I'm cramming about 2 weeks worth of travel into a week, so I'm sure I won't be able to get it all accomplished. Any suggestions on what to definitely see/do, and also what not to waste time on, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the suggestions already! I'll report back wth pictures as well.
This post was edited on 4/17/17 at 7:01 pm
10
Posted on 12/1/16 at 5:18 pm to CommunityCollegeFTW
quote:
Anybody done it and if so, have any advice?
Don't turn right
Posted on 12/1/16 at 6:26 pm to CommunityCollegeFTW
Drove San Diego to San Francisco. It was amazing. Big Sur was probably the highlight - stay here for a couple of days if you can. Definitely visit Pfeiffer Beach while there. Other highlights include Santa Barbara, Malibu, whale watching, elephant seal watching.
My advice would be get a good guide book and take as much time as you can. Lots of great towns and interesting sights. Stop for fresh produce whenever you see it (if it's the right time of year). Check out vrbo and airbnb for places to stay.
My advice would be get a good guide book and take as much time as you can. Lots of great towns and interesting sights. Stop for fresh produce whenever you see it (if it's the right time of year). Check out vrbo and airbnb for places to stay.
Posted on 12/1/16 at 6:28 pm to CommunityCollegeFTW
Yes, it's the most scenic stretch in America.
Posted on 12/1/16 at 8:14 pm to Decker
quote:
Drove San Diego to San Francisco. It was amazing. Big Sur was probably the highlight - stay here for a couple of days if you can. Definitely visit Pfeiffer Beach while there. Other highlights include Santa Barbara, Malibu, whale watching, elephant seal watching.
How many days we talking here?
Posted on 12/1/16 at 8:20 pm to CommunityCollegeFTW
Drove from cannon beach to the Redwoods a couple years ago and enjoyed the heck out of it.
Posted on 12/1/16 at 8:59 pm to CommunityCollegeFTW
Drove from Vancouver all the way to San Francisco.
My #1 thing I would recommend if you have time...In Olympia, right after Seattle...take a right on 101 then follow the roads to the ocean. Travel absolutely every road that runs next to the ocean. Some of these roads will be 2 lanes, speed limit of like 35, but it is beyond worth it...TRUST ME
Crossing from Washington into Oregon you pass through Astoria, you can see the Goonies house.
Further south in Oregon, they have a national park that is all sand dunes. They have sand dunes that are seriously about 5-6 stories high. You can rent buggies and fly on them...it's ridiculously fun.
Obviously the Redwoods.
I'd swing by Napa
I stopped at San Franc, can't comment further
My #1 thing I would recommend if you have time...In Olympia, right after Seattle...take a right on 101 then follow the roads to the ocean. Travel absolutely every road that runs next to the ocean. Some of these roads will be 2 lanes, speed limit of like 35, but it is beyond worth it...TRUST ME
Crossing from Washington into Oregon you pass through Astoria, you can see the Goonies house.
Further south in Oregon, they have a national park that is all sand dunes. They have sand dunes that are seriously about 5-6 stories high. You can rent buggies and fly on them...it's ridiculously fun.
Obviously the Redwoods.
I'd swing by Napa
I stopped at San Franc, can't comment further
Posted on 12/1/16 at 9:01 pm to PNW
Drove the entire coastal highway this year. North to south is the best given you are closer to the edge, mainly for stretch between San Fran and Los Angeles with big sur. I highly recommend it. Gorgeous in that stretch and then another great trek up to humboldt county. Gotta stop at avenue of the giants. I want to go back for a longer trip next year.
Posted on 12/1/16 at 9:07 pm to CommunityCollegeFTW
If you're not driving the Big Sur stretch, take a Dramamine.
Posted on 12/1/16 at 10:25 pm to Erato
Drive the coast around Bandon, OR. Absolutely gorgeous. And if you like to golf, Bandon has a course or two for you...
Beaches like this:
and this:
Sunsets like this:
and this:
Beaches like this:
and this:
Sunsets like this:
and this:
Posted on 12/1/16 at 10:38 pm to Jax-Tiger
Tillamook also has a legit dairy, and yes, there are ice cream samples offered on the tour 
Posted on 12/1/16 at 11:01 pm to kingbob
quote:
Tillamook also has a legit dairy, and yes, there are ice cream samples offered on the tour
Yes. Their ice cream is delicious - so fresh.
If you're in Tillamook, go to the Pelican Brewpub. It's a crazy beautiful spot right next to Cape Kiwanda.
Cape Kiwanda:
Posted on 12/1/16 at 11:08 pm to CommunityCollegeFTW
I have done this twice. We start in L.A. or San Diego and drive to San Francisco and the Napa Valley. The scenery is spectacular, probably the prettiest scenery in the continental U.S. Along the way you can stop in Solvang, San Simeion to tour Hearst Castle, Big Sur, the drive around the Monterrey Peninsula and Pebble Beach. We spend several days in Napa/Sonoma, a couple of days in S.F. and fly home from there. Great trip. We are looking to take it again next summer.
Posted on 12/1/16 at 11:41 pm to geauxpurple
quote:
I have done this twice. We start in L.A. or San Diego and drive to San Francisco and the Napa Valley. The scenery is spectacular, probably the prettiest scenery in the continental U.S. Along the way you can stop in Solvang, San Simeion to tour Hearst Castle, Big Sur, the drive around the Monterrey Peninsula and Pebble Beach. We spend several days in Napa/Sonoma, a couple of days in S.F. and fly home from there. Great trip. We are looking to take it again next summer.
How many days do you usually spend on the trip?
Posted on 12/2/16 at 4:11 am to TigeRoots
Done this from SF to LA. Incredible. Would not waste time with the Hearst Castle though.
Posted on 12/2/16 at 6:31 am to Captain Want
Did it from just south of SF all the way up into Oregon and cut west over to Crater Lake all on a motorcycle which I started the trip in Tennessee. It was really incredible. It would be in my top 5, but not the most scenic drive I did that trip.
From that trip I think I liked Tioga Road (Yosemite) and Beartooth Pass (Yellowstone) better. Million dollar highway (Colorado) is up there, as is Patchwork Parkway in Utah. I didn't hit Going to the Sun (Glacier) this trip, but that is another badass drive. It's really tough to rank these because we have some amazing roads in this country.
I liked hitting up Bodega Bay (where they filmed Birds) to get the ocean town feel and the redwoods were amazing.
From that trip I think I liked Tioga Road (Yosemite) and Beartooth Pass (Yellowstone) better. Million dollar highway (Colorado) is up there, as is Patchwork Parkway in Utah. I didn't hit Going to the Sun (Glacier) this trip, but that is another badass drive. It's really tough to rank these because we have some amazing roads in this country.
I liked hitting up Bodega Bay (where they filmed Birds) to get the ocean town feel and the redwoods were amazing.
This post was edited on 12/2/16 at 6:32 am
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:17 am to TigeRoots
We usually go for at least 10 days total. Along the drive we have spent the night in San Simeon to tour Hearst Castle the next morning. We have also spent the night in Carmel.
Posted on 12/3/16 at 5:56 am to CommunityCollegeFTW
Unusual Los Angeles Area Stops
Providence Cherry Farm in Cherry Valley, on the way to Big Bear Lake, features community agriculture where visitors can pick their own cherries, grapes and pears. Pre-picked produce is available as well. The farm caters to kids with farm animals, picnic areas, and restrooms.
March Air Field Museum in Riverside and check out over 70 aircrafts. Grab a taco at Tio's Tacos, which not only delivers great food, but also features an eclectic art collection made from scraps.
Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Forest Preserve offers plenty of outdoor recreation such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, biking and boating. Visit the Big Bear Discovery Center first to get a map, talk to the rangers, and plan your fun. Older kids may beg to race go-karts on the Big Bear outdoor racetrack. The recreational area even features an indoor arcade and laser tag. Adults may want to stop in at the Big Bear House of Jerky to pick up unusual flavors of dried meat, such as alligator and venison.
Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey is right off of the Pacific Coast Highway. The aquarium earns rave reviews from visitors due to its interactive exhibits and unique collection of marine wildlife. There is a tank where kids (and adults) can pet gentle sea creatures. Visit nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea Beach and relax on the white sands and watch the water.
Big Sur has been praised by wanderers for many generations. The highway has its most spectacular views of oceanside cliffs that drop off from the road.
Offbeat Attractions
San Luis Obispo is a wonderful spot to check out for both hikers and shoppers alike. If in the area, be sure to visit Bubblegum Alley, which is a walled lane that is covered with bubble gum. While parents may say “yuck,” kids will get a kick out of donating their chewed gum to the offbeat art piece.
San Diego
Whaley House Museum is reputed to be the most haunted place in America and was featured on the Travel Channel. The house is a historical monument and has preserved furniture, artwork, clothing and toys dating from the mid-1800s. Even if no ghosts show up, the landmark offers a remarkable glimpse of the past.
Come back and post pics!
Providence Cherry Farm in Cherry Valley, on the way to Big Bear Lake, features community agriculture where visitors can pick their own cherries, grapes and pears. Pre-picked produce is available as well. The farm caters to kids with farm animals, picnic areas, and restrooms.
March Air Field Museum in Riverside and check out over 70 aircrafts. Grab a taco at Tio's Tacos, which not only delivers great food, but also features an eclectic art collection made from scraps.
Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Forest Preserve offers plenty of outdoor recreation such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, biking and boating. Visit the Big Bear Discovery Center first to get a map, talk to the rangers, and plan your fun. Older kids may beg to race go-karts on the Big Bear outdoor racetrack. The recreational area even features an indoor arcade and laser tag. Adults may want to stop in at the Big Bear House of Jerky to pick up unusual flavors of dried meat, such as alligator and venison.
Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey is right off of the Pacific Coast Highway. The aquarium earns rave reviews from visitors due to its interactive exhibits and unique collection of marine wildlife. There is a tank where kids (and adults) can pet gentle sea creatures. Visit nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea Beach and relax on the white sands and watch the water.
Big Sur has been praised by wanderers for many generations. The highway has its most spectacular views of oceanside cliffs that drop off from the road.
Offbeat Attractions
San Luis Obispo is a wonderful spot to check out for both hikers and shoppers alike. If in the area, be sure to visit Bubblegum Alley, which is a walled lane that is covered with bubble gum. While parents may say “yuck,” kids will get a kick out of donating their chewed gum to the offbeat art piece.
San Diego
Whaley House Museum is reputed to be the most haunted place in America and was featured on the Travel Channel. The house is a historical monument and has preserved furniture, artwork, clothing and toys dating from the mid-1800s. Even if no ghosts show up, the landmark offers a remarkable glimpse of the past.
Come back and post pics!
This post was edited on 12/3/16 at 5:58 am
Posted on 4/17/17 at 7:01 pm to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
Bump for update
Posted on 4/18/17 at 8:20 am to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
Wtf I would not recommend going to big bear. It's at minimum a 2 hour drive from PCH each way, without traffic.
Also, I loved Hearst castle and the Winchester mystery house (south of San Francisco)
Spit pea andersens is a notable stop for food.
Also, I loved Hearst castle and the Winchester mystery house (south of San Francisco)
Spit pea andersens is a notable stop for food.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News