Northwest coast of U.S.

Many beautiful state parks all down US Hwy 101. No ugly ones! Later in the year reservations won’t be needed in most cases. I’d start at Olympic NP and head south. Avoid the San Francisco area. If you camp without hookups, you’ll be in great shape.

That's a great route. Olympic National Park. Long Beach but the greatest part start with Astoria. Fantastic Maritime Museum and don't miss the Bowpicker across the street and the waterfront trolly. We've stayed at Fort Stevens but 42' sites are limited. Louis and Clarke RV park if you can get a reservation. So many beautiful places to see and stay all down the Oregon coast, stop at every rest stop for the view. CA Redwoods are also a must see. From Eureka down you're inland, not as interesting. At Leggett you cannot take Rt 1 due to your 42' length. See the CA bus and motorhome map. We like Bodega Bay but have to go over and back due to your length.

We prefer the 200 wineries in the Dry Creek/Healdsburg area to Napa. Check on 116, 12 into Napa may be windey. I'd go to 37 over and back up to Napa.

After Napa then where?

CA Traveler wrote:
That's a great route. Olympic National Park. Long Beach but the greatest part start with Astoria. Fantastic Maritime Museum and don't miss the Bowpicker across the street and the waterfront trolly. We've stayed at Fort Stevens but 42' sites are limited. Louis and Clarke RV park if you can get a reservation. So many beautiful places to see and stay all down the Oregon coast, stop at every rest stop for the view. CA Redwoods are also a must see. From Eureka down you're inland, not as interesting. At Leggett you cannot take Rt 1 due to your 42' length. See the CA bus and motorhome map. We like Bodega Bay but have to go over and back due to your length.

We prefer the 200 wineries in the Dry Creek/Healdsburg area to Napa. Check on 116, 12 into Napa may be windey. I'd go to 37 over and back up to Napa.

After Napa then where?

After Napa...we make our way back to MI. Haven't decided on a route yet. Driving across Nevada does not look to appealing. May stay inland, head north a bit, then head east.

Ancient Redwoods RV Park is a good location north of Redcrest. Highly advise to not take the MH on most of the Avenue of the Giants.

The hidden special places that we enjoyed are the northwest Cascade highway 20. continue
to the Baker Lake area north of Concrete a. see the giant trees of the Sentinels.
Continued on Highway 20 west, Thru Deception Pass, and the ferry ride to Port Townsend.
Then south on 101 and west again to the coast.. then south
This way you miss Seattle, Portland, and the I-5 mess.

I agree about not driving the motorhome on Avenue of the Giants. I did it last year and a couple places were sketchy (very narrow). On the other hand, Newton Drury Scenic Parkway is a very pleasant redwood drive in the motorhome, which I highly recommend.

I love the Oregon Coast! Get the Mile-by-Mile Guide (online or in the mail). Lots of State Parks, commercial RV Parks, and a few Elks Lodge parks if you happen to be an Elks member. Some of my favorite sightseeing places are Hug Point, Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, Cape Perpetua, Jerry's Jet Boats on the Rogue River at Gold Beach....just to get you started.

So many great suggestions. One of our favorites is Cape Blanco State Park in Port Orford Oregon. A short walking trail leads to a huge, long beautiful beach.

If you haven’t been to West Glacier, I would start there, then onto the Cascades NP’s, then to Olympic, and then down the Pacific coast.

Tom/Barb wrote:
The hidden special places that we enjoyed are the northwest Cascade highway 20. continue
to the Baker Lake area north of Concrete a. see the giant trees of the Sentinels.
Continued on Highway 20 west, Thru Deception Pass, and the ferry ride to Port Townsend.
Then south on 101 and west again to the coast.. then south
This way you miss Seattle, Portland, and the I-5 mess.

Taking the ferry interests me. Can you tell me more...did you keep coach and toad hooked up, any special instructions for big vehicles, just show up and get in line, etc.? Thanks.

RicB wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
The hidden special places that we enjoyed are the northwest Cascade highway 20. continue
to the Baker Lake area north of Concrete a. see the giant trees of the Sentinels.
Continued on Highway 20 west, Thru Deception Pass, and the ferry ride to Port Townsend.
Then south on 101 and west again to the coast.. then south
This way you miss Seattle, Portland, and the I-5 mess.

Taking the ferry interests me. Can you tell me more...did you keep coach and toad hooked up, any special instructions for big vehicles, just show up and get in line, etc.? Thanks.

It's an easy do,, make reservations, for the KEYSTONE to PORT TOWNSEND run, know when you will depart, arrive, pay, board, enjoy :)
The Ferry is a 350 car ferry, so there is not need to unhook. bigger units will be loaded on the center deck, Large Tractor trailers will be loaded as directed. Our 40' motorhome with a 20' trailer is an easy do. ($110.00)
There is a great Camp ground at Fort Casey, Do your home work, it is pretty full (always)..there is a a large parking lot at the ferry (free)
The route is, Oak Harbor, to Coupeville, right at the light. direct Fort Casey. and the ferry dock.
It's 10 miles shorter that the highway 20