Driving from Portland to San francisco-any suggestions?

[fujiyama]

Hoping to take route 101 and 1? How is the route this time of the year? How is the weather? Any tips? Where should I stop?

Thanks!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear fujiyama!

It's a pretty drive! You might have some rain, still...If you belong to AAA, I'd suggest you check out their travel books and maps. I'm not familiar with the roads up there.

There are some wonderful sights along the way. In Oregon, you would do well to stop at Crater Lake. And in California, another beautiful place is Muir Woods, just north of San Francisco.

Have a great trip!

[XemaSab]

6. No disrespect, but

1) Crater Lake is nowhere near the 1 or the 101.

2) Muir Woods is to Redwood National Park as the Redding softball field is to Fenway Park.

[fujiyama]

10. Hi Peggy!

Crater Lake is wonderful. I've been there twice - once in the winter and again in the summer. Beautiful both times of the year.

[fizzgig]

2. do it!

i've done it twice, both times in march. it was chilly for a few days, but the weather was beautiful otherwise.

near crescent city, california


lincoln city, oregon

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. If you are not in a hurry, take as many side roads as you can

.
.
.

I did that many times in the past - driven down both coasts, across the southern border and once diagonally from San Diego to Toronto

took the local roads parallel to the interstates sometimes

sorta cool -

ate in little small-town diners,

stayed in mom and pop motels/gas station kinda places

yeah - when I travel, I don't really want to ZIP right through

I wanna TASTE the country

and I did

[Tommy_Carcetti]

9. You're living my fantasy.

I'd love to have the time to do something like that, just drive across country, explore the back roads. Very cool.

[LeftyMom]

4. Drive at or fairly close to the speed limit in Oregon if you have out of state plates.

Oregon has no sales tax, I'm pretty sure they make up the difference on out of state drivers. Watch the posted limits, they change a lot for no apparent reason.

Once you're in California you'll have to do at least 80 to avoid getting passed until you reach civilization. Don't worry about the CHP, they'll pass you going 95.

Bring snacks and music. It's a long, LONG drive.

[Gormy Cuss]

14. Very good advice on Oregon. They have 24 hour school zones .

A friend was nabbed for exceeding the school zone limit at 9 PM on a road with light traffic. Those are revenue enhancers for sure.

[REP]

5. Lots of construction on 101 and delays around the City

Get ready for the idiot in front of you to slam on the brakes for no reason (that's what the idiot in front of me did - after changing lanes without signalling).

Remember, most California drivers are on crack and drive accordingly.

[pokerfan]

8. The PCHwy website has links to alerts

but I don't know how accurate it is.

http://www.us-101.com

I've driven most of it. (All of it in Oregon/Washington and parts of California (SF/Monterey and between LA/SD). It's fantastic.

[Sanity Claws]

7. What fun!

I drove from Seattle to San Francisco in Dec. 2006. I used I-5 until a little north of the California border and then took a mountain pass through the Cascades to the coast. The coast is nice but so are the mountains.
Are you planning on seeing the Oregon coast too?

[grasswire]

18. NO mountain passes in the winter

That's how people get lost and die in the Siskiyous.

[Sanity Claws]

19. Just go in the day

It is safe to travel that pass in the winter but make sure you drive only during the day. I remember the story about three years ago of a family who accidentally turned off the main road and ended up on a logging road where they were stranded. Very sad case.
As I mentioned, I drove it in late December but made sure I did it in daylight.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

21. Pff.

No, people get lost and die in the Siskiyou for reasons other than the weather.

[LynneSin]

11. Use a car - it'll be quicker

[hedgehog]

12. Don't use the rest stop after the exit near the mountain, you

know the one I mean. The rest rooms are never clean and the vending machine steals your money.

[fujiyama]

13. I want to thank everyone for the wonderful suggestions!

I was going to leave this morning, but the weather is really crappy. I'll just hold off until tomorrow.

I'll first take 26W swing by Cannon Beach, which I wish I saw back in the summer. But oh well. I have the time now...then start heading south. I'm looking forward to this drive.

[grasswire]

20. yeah, it's snowing in Portland this morning

The coast range might require chains.

You might need chains in the Siskiyous, too.

[Bennyboy]

15. I have made the trip many times....

Newport Oregon: the Rogue Brewery is a must stop. Great aquarium next door too with one of the world largest jellyfish exhibits. Great town, great bridge.

Lots of dunes and stops along the coast till Brookings. Good place to stay and explore. Rocks and great shoreline.

Eureka. Lost Coast Brewery. Great beers, funky as hell. Mead on tap!

Garberville, Redway area. Avenue fo teh Giants. Headwaters forest. The great western is very nice and some good places to eat around there. CA's cash crop capital. Richardson Grove, Trees of Mystery all between Eureka nd G'ville. Shelter Cove is incredible, The beginning of the Lost Coast. The drive to is amazing.

G'Ville to Fort Bragg. Drive thru trees.

Fort Bragg. North Coast Brewery. best brewery in the country. Old Rasputin Stout is the schnizzles. McKerriker State park has some great tide poooling and a really cool nature area. great rock formations all over. Town of Mendo is really nice arts community. DO NOT EAT AT ANY OF THE RESTAURANTS IN NOYO HARBOR! Go to chowhound.com for some reccos for restaurants.

Willits (towards 101). Ardellas. MUST STOP AND EAT! breakfast and Lunch. Best cinamon rolls ever!

The Skunk train. nice train ride thru the redwoods.

if you continue down 1 instead, keep in mind that is a beautiful, if hairy drive. The hairiest road in the USA. Sea Ranch down to the Russian river to Garnerville. Great little town with a really good brewery, Stumptown.

The trip through the wine country will be amazing, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa etal is incredible. Wilbur Hot Springs is a good stop. there are many other spring type resorts (the geysers).

Mt Tam is always interesting in marin. the marin veterans center is cool. designed by frank Lloyd Wright.

[Arugula Latte]

16. Stop at Redwood National Park if you've never seen the giant redwoods.

You won't be sorry. Words can't begin to describe them.

[Deep13]

17. Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. nt

[stubtoe]

22. Check with www.tripcheck.com and scope out any road closures that may happen.

Landslides are not uncommon along 101 during the winter and spring.

Otherwise, it's a pretty good time to drive 101. Not too many mohos, or much tourist traffic, yet.

[arcadian]

23. Stop at Mendocino and Big Sur.

eom

[tanngrisnir3]

24. Big Sur is a mindset, and over 100 miles of coastline.

[Shakespeare]

25. Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south of San Francisco.

A worthy stop, but not between Portland and SF.

[arcadian]

27. My bad, I was thinking the poster had said LA

[travelingtypist]

26. Be sure and stop and see the sea lion caves in Florence.

They're amazing.

Try to do the trip in at least two days, if not three.
We drive down to Modesto at least once every couple of
years and I am so done doing that 1350 miles in one day.