San Diego to Seattle drive? (Los Angeles, Oxnard: movies, construction, shops)

[CirculateRX]

We are moving from Phoenix to Seattle. But will be going from Phoenix to San Diego in the first day then starting our trip north. We only have a 2 wheel drive older Honda CRV (no trailer) so we are trying to avoid snow and ice. We want to take the PCH / make this drive as scenic as possible. Any advice for us? We don't mind it taking 5 days or so from SD to Seattle. What areas should we stop at? What cities/towns? What are the must see little areas, shops, food, etc? Where should we stay the night? We probably won't drive more than 5-6 hours each day max.

Thanks for any advice.

[bloom]

I did this in an April. January will be more challenging weather wise.

[Axxlrod]

Take PCH from Santa Monica up to Oxnard.

Then 101N from Oxnard to San Luis Obispo, then you can link back up with Hwy 1 and go by Hearst Castle and up to Big Sur and Monterey.

Hwy 1 north of SF will take much, much longer even though it is scenic. I'd rec you take the 5 from SF up to OR

Once in OR, you can head west after Grants Pass or Winston, and cruise all the way up the OR coast or head back inland through the Willamette Valley to PTL. Then 5N up to Seattle.

[1200RT]

Just had a very similar discussion in the CA forum. Lots of applicable advice.

https://www.city-data.com/forum/cali...enic-road.html

[sacreole]

A section of Highway 1 was closed between Gorda and Big Sur due to a rockslide last month. Even though the highway has since reopened, I would take US-101 through San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties.

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/l...256970297.html

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Don't miss Mendocino on your way north from SF. Quaint little community perched on the cliffs above the beach--and the location of James Dean's first movie, East of Eden, plus other movies.

If you're back on I-5, looking for a place for the night before heading up through Shasta, I'd recommend staying in Red Bluff rather than Redding. Better vibe.

Just off the top of my head.

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by sacreole

A section of Highway 1 was closed between Gorda and Big Sur due to a rockslide last month. Even though the highway has since reopened, I would take US-101 through San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties.

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/l...256970297.html

Reopened but 1way controlled. So during peak times the drive will be rough. Still probably worth it.

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) 24 HOURS A DAY THRU 1201 HRS ON 1/3/22 - 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.

[Losfrisco]

Originally Posted by CirculateRX

We are moving from Phoenix to Seattle. But will be going from Phoenix to San Diego in the first day then starting our trip north. We only have a 2 wheel drive older Honda CRV (no trailer) so we are trying to avoid snow and ice. We want to take the PCH / make this drive as scenic as possible. Any advice for us? We don't mind it taking 5 days or so from SD to Seattle. What areas should we stop at? What cities/towns? What are the must see little areas, shops, food, etc? Where should we stay the night? We probably won't drive more than 5-6 hours each day max.

Thanks for any advice.

Here is my advice for the California leg of the trip. The only real "must see" is Big Sur. It doesn't make any sense to me to get bogged down in huge cities/Orange County trying to see the southern California coast.

Take the 5 from San Diego to the 101 in downtown Los Angeles. Take that to San Luis Obispo county and find a place to crash there (I recommend Los Osos).

Get up early, get on the 1 and take as long as you feel you need to to drive from Cambria to Monterey (through Big Sur).

There are communities adjacent to Monterey that are surprisingly "normal" and non touristy. Another good place to spend a night if needed. Stay on the 1 for the remainder of California as the inland freeways have very little to offer.

[bloom]

Originally Posted by Losfrisco

Here is my advice for the California leg of the trip. The only real "must see" is Big Sur. It doesn't make any sense to me to get bogged down in huge cities/Orange County trying to see the southern California coast.

Take the 5 from San Diego to the 101 in downtown Los Angeles. Take that to San Luis Obispo county and find a place to crash there (I recommend Los Osos).

Get up early, get on the 1 and take as long as you feel you need to to drive from Cambria to Monterey (through Big Sur).

There are communities adjacent to Monterey that are surprisingly "normal" and non touristy. Another good place to spend a night if needed. Stay on the 1 for the remainder of California as the inland freeways have very little to offer.

the elephant seals in front of Hearst castle area are worthwhile

[Axxlrod]

Originally Posted by Losfrisco

Here is my advice for the California leg of the trip. The only real "must see" is Big Sur. It doesn't make any sense to me to get bogged down in huge cities/Orange County trying to see the southern California coast.

Take the 5 from San Diego to the 101 in downtown Los Angeles. Take that to San Luis Obispo county and find a place to crash there (I recommend Los Osos).

Get up early, get on the 1 and take as long as you feel you need to to drive from Cambria to Monterey (through Big Sur).

There are communities adjacent to Monterey that are surprisingly "normal" and non touristy. Another good place to spend a night if needed. Stay on the 1 for the remainder of California as the inland freeways have very little to offer.

In the winter, taking hwy 1 from Santa Monica through Malibu up to Oxnard is not much different time wise than the 405/101 route, and is much, much prettier. In summer, forget about it.