First off, May probably would be too early given the current situation and also the weather. Aug. would be a better bet. North to South would be best for better views. I would start by heading down
I 5 to hwy 20 toward Anacortes. Take 20 to the Port Townsend ferry, stopping at Deception Pass to check out the views. Port Townsend a very historic town, worth checking out. Continue down 20 to Hwy 101.
Head West to Port Angeles. Drive up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic NP. Continue West on 101 to the Hoh rain forest. Continue south on 101 and cross into Oregon to Astoria. Lots of cool little towns along the coast. Seaside, Cannon Beach, Depoe Bay,. Great lunch/ Dinner spot in Depoe Bay, Tidal Raves. Watch whales right from your table.
Newport, Florence, Bandon all worth a stop. Continuing south into Ca. thru the Redwoods. If you’re into Victorian architecture a side trip over to Ferndale west of Fortuna is a cool little town.
At Leggett hit Hwy 1. Glass beach in Fort Bragg is worth a stop. Mendocino is nice.
Then just follow 1 all the way down. Bodega Bay if you’re a Hitchcock fan. Muir Woods near San Francisco. Monterey, Carmel, 17 mile Drive, point Lobos, Big Sur,. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, waterfall right into the ocean. Hearst Castle. And that’s as far as we have gone on hwy 1
