Need advice on OR-CA Pacific Coast Trip (Eugene, Redwood: travel, sick)

[djsaint]

I grew up in Oregon, but live in Texas now. My wife and I are taking our toddler to visit the grandparents this summer, and we plan to meet at the Northern Oregon coast. After spending several days there with family, my wife and I thought it would be fun if the three of us then took a scenic road trip down to LA and then fly home from there rather than PDX. We would like to make as much of the trip along the coastal highway, but realize it could take many more days than going down I-5. I am looking for advice on what kind of time we are looking at, things we can miss, things we can cut, etc. While we are with the grandparents our home base will be Neskowin, and we will likely see the best parts of the OR coast (everything between Tillamook and Yachats) during our time with family so we would be OK with skipping the Southern Oregon coast to save time. There are some stops we absolutely must make on the way down from Neskowin to LA:

-A few hours getting out and looking around at the redwood forest (nothing too difficult--we have a toddler)
-San Francisco, to see friends for a half a day (or overnight stay)

Additionally, here are some things we would like to see if possible:
-A drive-thru redwood tree
-Carmel
-Hearst Castle
-Big Sur

Looking at the stuff that is important to us, it looks like we could take Hwy 18 from Neskowin over to Eugene and go down I-5 for the southern half of Oregon, then take 199 over to the Crescent City area to see the redwood forest area, then from Eureka/McKinleyville area go on Hwy 299 back over to 1-5/80 into SF. We could then take the PCH south from SF through Carmel, Big Sur, etc. until we get to around San Simeon, then hop on Hwy 46 back over to I-5 for the trip into LA.

Some questions: Are we missing some of the best parts of the pacific coast with this plan, or are these good portions to skip? What must-see stops did I leave out on this route? Is it realistic to think we could cover all this ground in 4 days and still get to enjoy ourselves? Any advice would be most appreciated. Thanks!

[seashelly]

Personally, I'd just take the 101 straight on down through Oregon (the 199 cut-off can add on some miles).
When you enter Northern California, just South of Crescent City and North of Orick, point out to your daughter the GIANT Paul Bunyan and his blue ox in the Klamath area on the East side of the highway, lol. It's a Gift Shop Rest Area and if you walk over and stand by them, Paul Bunyan will actually talk to you, lol, (through the toe of his GIANT boot).

[janb]

I'd be sure to catch the northern OR coast, especially, Ecola Park and Hug Point (stagecoach road cut in rocks, + nice rocks, falls, caves, and trees) (both near Cannon Beach) + Tillamook Cheese, for free curd samples, then the Octopus Tree on '3 Capes Rte'

Depot Bay, Otter Rock, Punchbowl... And the far south OR coast is pretty nice too. -plus much other OR stuff-

then, a MUST DO for me is "Samoa Cookhouse, on Humboldt Bay, 4 minutes from Eureka, CA, across the Samoa Bridge" http://www.roadtripamerica.com/eats/samoa.htm
save your appetite ! Call ahead for their planned menu, (they serve family style, from fixed menu). French Toast breakfast days are not to miss! (sometimes we stay for the next meal!). I found the joint in 1974 while on a motorcycle trip from my home in Colorado. It is just plain 'down home cookin', pretty hard to find in this era of 'ornate' garlic cuisine.

[djsaint]

Thank you for the tips, guys! Any additional advice/information would be appreciated, particularly which section of coastline between Northern OR and LA would be the best to scip and head over to I-5 instead (knowing we want to stop at the redwoods and San Francisco, what kind of time I should expect to take, etc.

[janb]

unless you want to go to Crater Lake, or OR caves, then you should stay on 101 until south of Eureka, when 101 heads SE into the southern Redwoods, (Humbolt) (there is a portion of redwoods north of Eureka too.) 101 takes you into SF, via Golden Gate. (your toddler will qualify you for 'carpool toll rate' , , I remember when the toll officer said "hey, you've got 2 sleeping beautys strapped in those car seats, that'll save you some $$") This was the beginning of what turned into a 7500 trek in VW camper van with 2 in diapers...the 'life-saver' was buying them squirt guns to keep cool. (them and us)

Southern OR coast on 101 goes pretty quick. The section south of Monterey, CA through Big Sur to Hearst Castle will test your tendancy for car sickness... don't do it when you are in a hurry, and stop often.

[furyu]

Wow.. that's ambitious! Having travelled up and down the coast (entire west coast!) several times, some of the most spectacular coastal scenery is found from Port Orford south through Crescent City (the Pebble Beach Drive in Crescent City is gorgeous). The Pistol River area, just south of Gold Beach, for instance, is one of the most photographed areas in the world. However, since the grandparents live in OR you'll probably get back out here again and will have the opportunity to travel south another time.

As far as viewing the coastal redwoods, Muir Woods (Marin County) can't be beat. It's fairly easy to get to off Highway 101. You can drive in and park very close to the walk area. You'll get a real feeling of being in a primordial forest without having to hike too far in. Take the Mill Valley exit off 101 and go through town, get on Highway 1 (they'll be signs that say "Muir Woods"). It's not that far off the beaten path. There's a nice place to stop for lunch nearby called the Pelican Inn (I think it's still there) that serves lunch and dinner. Just south of Mill Valley is Sausalito, a nice little town that you can simply drive through prior to getting back on the 101 and crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. You might also consider going up Mount Tamalpais which is on Highway 1 just past the Muir Woods area. That's the highest peak in the Bay Area (hmmm... Mt. Diablo in the East Bay area may be higher but you'll be no where near there). You can drive all the way up and get a spectacular view (depending on the weather) of the Bay Area.

The drive from San Francisco to Monterey on Highway 1 is "okay" but since time is of the essence, you might save some time by taking Highway 280 until the cut-off to Los Gatos and then take the Santa Cruz Highway over to the coast. Bypass Santa Cruz unless you HAVE to ride the roller coaster (it's a great ol' wooden roller coaster... one of the best).

There is so much to see in the Monterey Bay Area. You can take the "49-Mile Scenic Drive" beginning in Monterey which will take you all along the gorgeous coastline and pass the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course. It ends in the lower part of Carmel. Be prepared for traffic in Carmel... it's ALWAYS congested there as the streets are narrow and the tourists have no idea where they're going. If you like art, Carmel is the place to (window) shop.

The Big Sur coastline is spectacular. You could easily spend four days just in the Monterey-Big Sur area without getting bored. Here's a link to an interesting site on Big Sur that'll give you an idea of things to do, places to visit, etc. Be certain to stop at the Nepenthe Restaurant/Shop. It's a wonderful place to shop for a souvenir or have a bite to eat.

http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/pdf/...ide2006-07.pdf

Hearst Castle will take up about a day by the time you get up the sky tram and go through the castle, etc. It's worth seeing. There's nothing like it, but I doubt it'll thrill your toddler.

Just south of Santa Barbara off the "101" is a darling town called Solvang. It's a Danish heritage hamlet, unique! If you're hungry for waffles and baked goods, it's the place to eat. You'll miss it if you take the I-5 down to L.A. Frankly, depending upon time of day and the day itself (week day or weekend), the "101" is actually faster than the I-5. In any event, keep your radio on to a channel that gives traffic reports once you get near the LA area.

You're certain to have a great time! Be safe.