Topic: Good places to see along Calif-Oregon Coastline? (Read 6182 times)

icexe · « **on:** April 25, 2007, 05:11:29 pm »

Hi all,

the wife and I are going to be spending about 8-10 days driving from southern California to Seattle in early to mid June and plan on taking the coastline route most of the way.
I was wondering if anyone could recommend some "must-see" locations for landscape photography and/or other interesting places to see along the way?
Neither of us have been to California or Oregon, so we'd hate to rely on just what we've read about in magazines or seen on TV, we would rather have some input from folks who have actually been through those areas.

We would really appreciate any tips or advice you could offer.

Thanks!

Lisa Nikodym · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2007, 11:13:05 pm »

Old-growth redwood forests are a must-see. The best parks for them (IMHO) are Humboldt Redwoods State Park & Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park; the former is a bit south of Eureka (the best part is the Rockefeller Forest area), the latter just south of the Oregon border (the best part is Stout Grove).

Olympic National Park in Washington is another must-see, especially the Hoh rain forest. Another current thread here is discussing Olympic right now.

Haven't seen Oregon, in between. I plan to sometime.

Lisa

icexe · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2007, 09:49:17 am »

Quote

Old-growth redwood forests are a must-see. The best parks for them (IMHO) are Humboldt Redwoods State Park & Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park; the former is a bit south of Eureka (the best part is the Rockefeller Forest area), the latter just south of the Oregon border (the best part is Stout Grove).

Olympic National Park in Washington is another must-see, especially the Hoh rain forest. Another current thread here is discussing Olympic right now.

Haven't seen Oregon, in between. I plan to sometime.

Lisa
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thank you, we've had a couple of other people suggest the Redwoods as well, so we'll definitely make a stop there.

we are actually from the Seattle area and i can personally attest to the total awesomeness of Olympic National Park (and Mt. Rainier, St Helens, Snoqualmie Falls, etc.)

raptorsys · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2007, 02:31:08 pm »

I'd plan to spend a week travelling between Santa Barbara and Napa. You might wish to look at a map and plan ahead as booking a room along the coast in June is not likely to favor walk-ins. Figure on driving 50-100 miles between stops and staying a night or two at each stop to give yourself time to discover the hidden places.

In this stretch a few places I'd recommend are:

* Morro Bay (stop for night)

* Seal beaches near Piedras Blancas (San Simeon area)

* Big Sur area

* Montery/Carmel/Pacific Grove (stop for night)

* Moss Landing/Elkhorn Slough

* Santa Cruz/Capitola (stop for night)

* San Francisco (stop for night)

* Napa Valley (stop for night)

There are other places you might want to stay for the night along the coast but in June they may already be booked full so if you wish to stop between the places I listed you better plan on booking now. Figure on a starting price of $200 and it goes up from there...

But, you have a good deal of time so I'd recommend taking your time and enjoying yourself as this part of the world is hard to beat...

Brian

brianchapman · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2007, 11:12:55 pm »

I would definitely stop in [order of South to North] San Simeon, Big Sur, Monterey, Sausalito (just barely north of San Francisco which you must also see!), the redwoods...now in Oregon...Gold Beach, Bandon, the dunes around Florence (skip Florence though), and Yachats. I have some images from the Bay Area and Bandon and Yachats on my site (link in signature).

Have fun - it sounds like a fantastic trip!

Pete Berry · « **Reply #5 on:** May 12, 2007, 12:56:17 am »

When in the Monterey area, I'd plan for at least a half day at Pt. Lobos State Reserve - a few miles S. of Carmel on US 1. This is Mecca for land/seascapes with its profusion of rocky coves, crashing surf on rocks and headlands, twisted, near-extinct Monterey Cypresses, extensive rocky tidepools. Start with an early (opens at 9) walk on the trail north from the Whalers' Cove parking area, which reveals sucessive coves, rocky promontories and small beaches seen right from the rim, all more interesting to me than Whalers' Cove.

Then wallk the Cypress Grove trail from the docents' station, with many overlooks through the cypresses. If the tide's low, walk or drive south from the station to a small parking area with a rocky beach carved into fantastic shapes - think it's named Weston Beach. The park now closes a half hour after sunset, and I can think of no finer place to enjoy this magic time.

And don't miss the Weston gallery in downtown Carmel. For a mind-expanding experience, there is a photographer's gallery (his name excapes me) near the Weston showing enormous panoramas from exotic places.

Have a great trip!

Pete

Sherri Meyer · « **Reply #6 on:** May 14, 2007, 11:40:01 am »

What a great trip you have scheduled. I have always wanted to do this trip too, but have only done segments of it. I would recommend spending at least a day in the Mendocino area. It is very picturesque and quaint and shouldn't be missed. Check out http://www.mendocinoguide.com/.

Have a great trip!

Sherri

http://www.sherrimeyer.com
http://www.sherrimeyer.com/Blog

msmack · « **Reply #7 on:** May 14, 2007, 04:00:04 pm »

Pt. Reyes, National Seashore, Stinson Beach in California, Lighthouses in Oregon.

Merrill

williamrohr · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2007, 10:39:12 pm »

Let me second a stop in the Mendocino, Fort bragg area. It is a photo rich environment with many hidden treasures and lots of good wine. A group of photographers have a 2700 sq ft gallery in Fort Bragg dedicated entirely to photography ... call or stop in and we will give you detailed information on good locations or hook you up with local naturalists/botonists who will find what interests you. Call ahead and we'll play hooky for a day and go shooting with you. Bill

Tim May · « **Reply #9 on:** May 22, 2007, 02:29:36 pm »

Big Sur, a couple hours South of San Fran is an amazing place. Sounds like a great trip.

DaveL · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2007, 01:09:55 pm »

Suggest a search for "pashnit" I don't have a link... There are many photos published by the owner of the site who promotes and is passionate about motorcycle tripping. The site suggests routes for motorcycle riders (and sports car owners). You can choose to support the site or view sections of it free.

We just returned from a run along the Pacific Coast Highway. Previously we had stayed in the Pebble Beach area and travelled south along Hwy 1.

The scenery is incredible. You can be close to nature too if you wish, or view it from your vehicle.

Regards,
Dave L
Toronto

Tom B · « **Reply #11 on:** May 24, 2007, 09:20:25 pm »

Highway 1 up the California coast is one of the best drives in the world. Big
Sur is spectacular, spend some time in Carmel, check out the galleries the Weston is good as are several others. The Monterey Aquarium is magnificent. The Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino coast is scenic. Fort Ross is worth a visit. Mendocino is a quaint little town. The redwoods are impressive. Samoa near Eureka is an old mill town, the Samoa Cookhouse is a great place to eat. Highway 101 up the Oregon coast is good but some of the side roads toward the ocean are worth exploring.
I'm going up to Puget Sound this summer for a family reunion, I'll probably get a few good photos on the way.

Author Topic: Good places to see along Calif-Oregon Coastline? (Read 6182 times)