Forum Discussion

Texas_Roadrunn1's avatar
Aug 23, 2014

Upper and Middle California Coast

DH and I are currently in Pullman WA, with plans to head down toward the OR coast so he can play the Bandon Dunes course. Having previously visited both the WA and OR coastlines we'd like to visit the parts of the CA coastline that we've never covered, hence the diagonal route that we'll be taking. We have never been to the top of California, on the coast, down to the top of the Napa Valley, or just west of Healdsburg. We do plan to visit the Redwood NP in the northern part of CA. The other part of the coastline we have never visited is from south of Big Sur to Santa Barbara. Of course we want to go to the Hearst Castle and I know to make reservations so I will be doing that. My question for you is what else in those areas, besides the NP and the Hearst Castle should we not miss? I should also mention that Solvang is also on our agenda. We have a little over three weeks to accomplish this, so may just need to hit the highlights! We need to be back in Texas by Sept. 15.

I know the highway along the coast can be a poor choice for a big rig. How is it from the OR border, down to Eureka? Is that doable for a dually and a 36' fifth wheel? If not, don't laugh too hard, and give us an alternate route! Any other advice as far as routes, particularly from south of San Francisco down to Santa Barbara as well as great campgrounds and the like would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much, in advance for your advice, I always value it greatly!

Susan

4 Replies

  • Great information, everyone, thanks so much for the heads up on the highways! Will look into the park near Eureka and the redwoods! We too hope we'll be below the 100 degree mark when we get home, timandsusan! Just dreading that heat! Thanks again for the info!

    Susan
  • Oregon border to San Francisco is by Highway 101 or you can choose the slower, but more senic, Highway 1. My choice is Highway 1. Beautiful drive and make sure you stop and see the redwoods.

    You will also like staying in Petaluma, close to the wineries and home to Alfred Hitchocks 1963 movie, "The Birds".

    Bypass San Francisco! You will not like manuvering through the city with your rig. There is a cutoff (I580) that will take you over the upper bay and to the east side of the bay. Take 880 south to San Jose where you can jump back on 101.

    The road along the coast is Highway 1. You really cannot take your rig south on 1 from Monterey/Carmel to Hearst Castle. As others have said, take 101 down from San Jose. We like to stay at Pismo Beach, where it's an easy drive to the Hearst Castle, Moro Bay, and other sites in the area, including Solvang.
  • You will have no problems with 101 in CA. A great place to stop is about 30 miles south of Eureka. Ancient Redwoods RV park, located on Avenue of the Giants, (road runs along 101) Great place for short easy strolls through a few of the Redwood groves. I would not recommend Hwy 1 from Monterey south, stay on 101 and hit Hearst Castle from the south. Others can tell you the best road to take, as I've only used hwy 41 to visit Morro Bay.

    My experience with hwy 1 is Morro Bay to Monterey (not good for a 36' 5er) Ft. Bragg to Leggett (definitely not).
  • Hello fellow SA Spurs fan! We did the Northern CA a few years ago from SF to CA-OR border. We stayed in Petaluma, CA for the wine country, took a tour from the KOA into SF for the day, on another day, we drove into the ferry terminal and took the ferry to SF and then the Alcatraz tour--retraced it back on the ferry and then drove back to the RV Park. In the north we stayed near Eureka--great place to see the Red Wood trees and then onto Cresent City,CA. More great trees and a wonderful lighthouse--you can only visit at low tide! From there it was further north along the OR coast that you have visited. Hope this helps some, send a message if you have questions. We are near Durango, Co and unfortunately we will be back in SA around 15 Sept--hope it is below 100!

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