Highway 1 vs. 101 for scenic road trip (San Diego, San Francisco: rent, construction, move to)

[preston39]

How's it going, everyone? My family is planning our move to WA, but we're trying to make it a memorable trip up there as we likely won't be able to make one of this magnitude anytime soon.

So I know the 1 and 101 merge together at a few points throughout the coast, but as someone who has only been north of Greater LA once (and didn't go very far past it), I wanted to ask the more knowledgeable people here which of these famous routes they'd recommend sticking to for some breathtaking California scenery along the way.

[saibot]

Highway 1 is far more scenic, and is most scenic north of San Luis Obispo. You might as well take the 101 from LA to SLO, and then pick up Hwy 1.

However, a large section of the 1 is predictably closed right now because of winter landslides. You can't get through Big Sur.

https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/high...slides/136731/

So if they haven't cleaned that up before you move, Hwy 1 as a drive to Washington is completely out. You can go partway up and enjoy the view, but would have to turn around and completely backtrack to Cambria and get over to the 101.

[509]

Take Highway 1 as far as it goes...they take 101 in Oregon and Washington.

Where are you headed in the PNW??

Good news is NO SNOW on the route.

[preston39]

Originally Posted by 509

Take Highway 1 as far as it goes...they take 101 in Oregon and Washington.

Where are you headed in the PNW??

Good news is NO SNOW on the route.

We're headed across the Sound from Seattle. Luckily, we won't be making the trip until the summer, so I'm sure it'll be cleared up by then.

[davdaven]

Highway 1 is more scenic, but it can be a tough drive. Be sure to allocate enough days. If anyone in the car gets carsick, even mildly, you may want to pick and choose the segments you take rather than drive the whole thing.

[AnythingOutdoors]

Sounds fun! So many options.

If you like wine, make a side trip to Solvang and surrounding wine country. If you have small kids they will love Sunny Fields Park.

Stay on HWY 1 from SLO to Monterey since there's not much to see on 101 that stretch (the Salinas Valley). Visit Hearst Castle. Lots of little towns and sites worth seeing. Take your time, twisty road and lots of tourists, make lots of rest stops. If you can get a table, eat a meal at Nepenthe in Big Sur. Spend time in Big Sur, Carmel by the Sea (the Walking Food Tour is great, not sure about kids though), and Monterey. Rent bikes on the bike path in Monterey, and visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Kids love Dennis The Menace Playground in Monterey.

Probably want to stay on 1 from Monterey to San Fransisco to avoid Silicon Valley (if you do go through the Silicon Valley take 280 instead of 101). If you stay on 1 and go through Santa Cruz the kids will enjoy the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. North of Santa Cruz the towns of Davenport and Pescadero are with short visits.

[1200RT]

There is no question that 1 is more scenic that 101. There's a reason 1 between San Simeon and Carmel is regarded as one of the best drives in the world.

Unfortunately, the road is closed bet. Ragged Point (roughly 15 mi JNO of San Simeon) and JSO Monterey, so you're basically out of luck if you want to drive the best portion south of SF. Theres really no way to cut east from Ragged Point, so your best bet is 101.

[Losfrisco]

Originally Posted by preston39

How's it going, everyone? My family is planning our move to WA, but we're trying to make it a memorable trip up there as we likely won't be able to make one of this magnitude anytime soon.

So I know the 1 and 101 merge together at a few points throughout the coast, but as someone who has only been north of Greater LA once (and didn't go very far past it), I wanted to ask the more knowledgeable people here which of these famous routes they'd recommend sticking to for some breathtaking California scenery along the way.

I just took the 5 to the 101 from San Diego to Santa Cruz a few months ago.


The 101 is light years better than the 99, which I have also taken to the Bay Area, but can't compete with the 1.

I still like the 101 though because it balances out speed/efficiency with scenery and cool places.


Since you've haven't really been north of L.A. then you need to take the 1 to see Big Sur. Take the 101 to SLO, then take take the 1 the rest of the way. 101 gets boring north of there.

[FrankNSense]

We've done this trip several times.

Take the 101 to San Luis Obispo. There is really no need to take the 1.

From SLO take CA-1 through Monterey and into San Francisco.

North of San Francisco you can continue on CA-1, or switch to US-101 into Northern California. Personally, I would stick with US-101 as there are some nice areas. CA-1 is also very nice, but it would significantly increase your travel time.

From Northern CA into WA you will stick with the 101.

A couple of caveats

If you are taking anything bigger than an SUV or Passenger Van, there are some areas of CA-1 that can be quite challenging and I would consider sticking with 101.

I would give you at least 4-5 days to make this trip if you have the time. Northern CA through OR has some great areas if you want to take a day or two.

Keep an eye on road conditions and look at the conditions of where you are traveling. Several areas of US-101 are just two-lane roads. There are several areas where there is either construction or repair going on causing the roads to be under 1-way traffic control or be closed for extended periods of time during the day. This can extend your travel time significantly and become frustrating.

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by 1200RT

There is no question that 1 is more scenic that 101. There's a reason 1 between San Simeon and Carmel is regarded as one of the best drives in the world.

Unfortunately, the road is closed bet. Ragged Point (roughly 15 mi JNO of San Simeon) and JSO Monterey, so you're basically out of luck if you want to drive the best portion south of SF. Theres really no way to cut east from Ragged Point, so your best bet is 101.

Just an update on this, assuming you haven't left.

SR 1
[IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA]
NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA.

[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA]
1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC FROM 0.5 MI SOUTH TO 0.3 MI SOUTH OF RAGGED POINT (SAN LUIS OBISPO CO) 27 HOURS A DAY THRU 1201 HRS ON 1/1/22 - DUE TO EMERGENCY ROCKSLIDE REPAIR

1-WAY CONTROLLED TRAFFIC 2.8 MI NORTH OF NOTLEYS LANDING /AT GRANITE CANYON BRIDGE/ (MONTEREY CO) 24 HRS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK THRU 2359 HRS ON 10/3/22 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION

[IN THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA]
NO TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ARE REPORTED FOR THIS AREA.