Thinking of driving down to California for a week. Suggestions?

[nobodysbusiness]

Originally Posted by JB316

Yep, you should really enjoy it, great scenery, forests, rivers and the ocean too.

101 to Big Sur?

[RosieSD]

If you do make it down as far as Big Sur and plan to go further south, this site may be helpful:

Big Sur Mile Markers — Big Sur Visitor Guide

And the California tourism board has a great road trip itinerary for the north coast all mapped out with things to see along the way that may be helpful too:

https://www.visitcalifornia.com/road...ld-north-coast


That said, I agree with others: if you only have a week, focus just on Northern California, with maybe a night in San Francisco, and save the Big Sur/Monterey part for another trip. Enjoy!

[Ruth4Truth]

OP, I would spend most of the time in Humboldt and Mendocino counties: it's major Redwood territory, amazing, amazing parks! You can drive the Avenue of the Giants, explore a couple of the small towns with Victorian architecture (see Ferndale), continue down to the town of Mendocino, and stop at the botanical garden on the coast just north of there. Continue down the coast to Fort Ross, a former Russian tradition outpost from the days of Russian Alaska, then from there, skip through the Bay Area to Monterey Bay, perhaps stopping in Santa Cruz for a night, before going to Big Sur, if you haven't already had your fill of scenic coastline.
https://www.fortross.org
https://www.gardenbythesea.org
https://www.google.com/search?rls=en...w=1440&bih=605

Humboldt Redwoods State Park is a World Heritage Site and a World Biosphere Reserve. Others here will recommend their favorite parks in CA's North Coast/Lost Coast region. Some say Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park is a must-see.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=413

http://humboldtredwoods.org

https://www.visitredwoods.com/explor...of-the-giants/

Honestly, if I had to choose between spending your week in WA State vs. exploring the CA coast, I'd pick CA.

[Ruth4Truth]

Outside Big Sur is Pfeifer Beach, which has purple sand due to gemstones washing down from the mountain above. Nearby is Los Padres National Forest, which has campgrounds. A trail from the highway leads down to the beach.

see photo of the purple sands here: //www.city-data.com/forum/38422721-post1.html

Info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf...a/?recid=10918

OP, I don't know when you're planning your trip for, but some of these destinations are very popular (the campgrounds in the national forest near Pfeifer Beach book 6 months in advance, and beachfront lodging in Santa Cruz books far in advance, too), but you should start exploring availability now, if you think you might take a CA trip in the summer. If you're thinking more in terms of fall, that would be better, but still no guarantees in some of these places.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

OP, I would spend most of the time in Humboldt and Mendocino counties

Honestly, if I had to choose between spending your week in WA State vs. exploring the CA coast, I'd pick CA.

Great posts, Ruth. I agree - Given the original poster's desire to do a road trip to California from Washington with only a week, I would also spend most of the time in Humboldt and Mendocino counties and not all of my time in the car rushing to do Big Sur. Save that for another trip.

On the other hand, I'd be happy to spend a week in and around Olympic National Park on the Washington Coast any time too.

Or the Oregon Coast.

Or I'd be happy as a clam to take the Ferry over to Vancouver Island for a week too.

Or maybe I'd head to Utah and spend the week in Capitol Dome National Park, or do a road trip through Northern Nevada to Great Basin National Park.

The West has so many amazing places, it is really hard to pick one and slow down long enough to enjoy it rather than just speeding through.

But in my experience, that's the best way to appreciate all of them: take your time and focus! Life is more fun when you have plenty of places on your "want to go to..." list.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Great posts, Ruth. I agree - Given the original poster's desire to do a road trip to California from Washington with only a week, I would also spend most of the time in Humboldt and Mendocino counties and not all of my time in the car rushing to do Big Sur. Save that for another trip.

On the other hand, I'd be happy to spend a week in and around Olympic National Park on the Washington Coast any time too.

Or the Oregon Coast.

Or I'd be happy as a clam to take the Ferry over to Vancouver Island for a week too.

Or maybe I'd head to Utah and spend the week in Capitol Dome National Park, or do a road trip through Northern Nevada to Great Basin National Park.

The West has so many amazing places, it is really hard to pick one and slow down long enough to enjoy it rather than just speeding through.

But in my experience, that's the best way to appreciate all of them: take your time and focus! Life is more fun when you have plenty of places on your "want to go to..." list.

Now there's an idea!