Ever driven SF-Oregon-SF? + a snow tires question

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sofsof @ Feb 20 2007, 08:09 PM) [snapback]393708[/snapback]</div>

101 is a LONG route but quite beautiful. I5 is faster and less dangerous in bad weather in most cases. Normally there are no problems with snow of any kind unless you catch a storm up near Shasta on I5. I make the drive from the SF area to Seattle pretty often.

This week calls for rain but I hear the weekend will be fine so you shouldn't have any problems. Just carry chains?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sofsof @ Feb 20 2007, 08:09 PM) [snapback]393708[/snapback]</div>

That statement is proof you haven't been on Highway 1 north of San Francisco. :lol:
It is sooooo much more beautiful than So Cal . . . and sooooo less populated.

If you are at all worried about the winding road, I suggest starting your trip by driving north on Highway 1 / 101 . . . that way you are on the land side of the road. The coast route takes much much more time to get from San Francisco to Portland than does I-5. Personally, I'd take at least four days for a more leisurely trip up the coast, and then zip back down I-5 to make up time if need be.

By all means check out the towns of Mendocino, Ferndale Eureka, and Crescent City in California . . . any of which would be a good overnight stop. This time of year, reservations are not needed, therefor leaving you with more flexibility. In Oregon there are just too many to choose from.

Eat lunch on the beautiful, rustic, Noyo Harbor. It's on the south end of the town of Fort Bragg. As you cross over the bridge into town, you will see it on the right. Many great places to eat fresh sea food.

An interesting ecological stop: Glass Beach in Fort Bragg.
http://www.fortbragg.com/glass_beach/index.html

Take a hike around Redwoods National Park and Patrick's Point State Park.

In Oregon, Sea Lion Cave . . . seems like it would be a cheesy tourist trap, but is so worth the admission price. :blink:
http://www.sealioncaves.com/

On the way down I-5:

In Redding, Ca:
Stop and see the Sundial Bridge. There is also a nice casual restaurant to have lunch, a museum, and nature center. Check out the straw bale construction on the Visitor Center.
http://www.turtlebay.org/sundial/sundial.shtml

In Sacramento:
Of course, you could always stop and see the State Capitol building and look for Ahhnold. I saw him there yesterday at the Tour of California bike race.
Or visit Old Sacramento . . . kind of a tourist trap . . . but the State Railroad Museum is cool.
http://www.csrmf.org/default.asp

Weather really shouldn't be a problem . . . as long as you don't mind rain . . . but if you are prepared, the rain adds to the beauty of the Northern California coast.

There is a possibility you could need chains for the Siskiyou Pass (Oregon/California border). If you don't have any, I say take your chances and buy them in Oregon on your way south if the weather at all looks iffy. I have NEVER needed chains on the coast. Just check the weather and plan accordingly . . . otherwise, no, it's not dangerous . . . if you don't drive like a nut. I love doing the coast drive in winter.

Oh, one other thing. The Prius loves the coast drive and the Siskiyous are no problem either.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sofsof @ Feb 22 2007, 05:17 PM) [snapback]394942[/snapback]</div>

You are from Redondo Beach and Highway 1 and 101 confuse you?
Wikipedia is our friend.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Highway_101_in_California

google map it and get a basic feel for the Northern California and Oregon sections before you go.
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&oe...867676&om=0
Zoom in and out and drag it all around . . . and look at satellite images too.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sofsof @ Feb 22 2007, 05:17 PM) [snapback]394942[/snapback]</div>

At “more or less 3 hours of driving in one day†Highway 1 will be adventurous and awe inspiring, not torturous and tiring.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sofsof @ Feb 22 2007, 05:17 PM) [snapback]394942[/snapback]</div>

6-7 hours away from Portland? Me personally, I think I would stay somewhere near the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area . . . Coos Bay to Florence. Too many choices of places to stay.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/recreation...ng/oregondunes/

If you are up for the adventure, rent some dune buggies!
Even if it's raining (they have rain suits), it's a blast! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Not an endorsement of any one establishment, but just to give you a idea . . . http://ridetheoregondunes.com/

For the “one more night†. . . anywhere on the Northern Oregon coast is 2-3 hours from Portland (provided you aren't doing it at rush hour).
I'd drive the rest of the way up the Oregon coast and let the winds and your adventurous side take you to wherever you end up for the night.
Maybe Seaside or Astoria?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sofsof @ Feb 23 2007, 10:02 AM) [snapback]395282[/snapback]</div>

Is driving on 101 still a scenic drive?
It depends on what part.
The Hollywood and Ventura Freeway sections, NO!!!
The Redwoods National Forest area and much of the rest of the far northern part of 101 in California, ABSOLUTELY!

1 and 101 are the same thing in many spots. But where they split, 1 is normally the much more scenic route.

Being that it is Friday afternoon as I write this, I think you are too late!

Well, I guess it really depends on how many 3 hour drives you wish to do and how many play days you wish to have.
Yahoo maps calculates it out to be 18 hours of driving if you cut out the northern half of the Oregon coast.
http://maps.yahoo.com/index.php#mvt=m&...6497&mag=13