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Haven't been there in 20 years so might not be so qualified but I wish I could go back now. Mendocino looks like a scene from Wuthering Heights and Hitchcock filmed The Birds on the coast and Shadow of a Doubt further inland in Santa Rosa which might be nicer in the offseason when it's cooler. I think the surf kicks up in the off season might be sacriledge on Oahu but i think just as awesomely mesmorizing and look for seals and otters on the rocks.
I would have liked to see the Real Goods Solar Living center going past Santa Rosa but it wasn't there yet.
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If you like old train lines, the Skunk is a fun trip in NoCal:
http://www.sierrarailroad.com/
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November could be a lousy time to drive up the Oregon/Washington coast line. Cold, drizzly, foggy...really THICK fog at times, dangerous road in those weather conditions, yes, don't forget the icy roads at higher elevations. Also, in November the winter storms are moving in and high winds can be scary there.
September is by far the BEST time to drive the coast line. Perfect weather almost all the time. Traffic is lighter at that time. If you do stay overnight, we always stayed in Yachats, OR. The long sandy beach is beautiful and only a handful of people on that beach at one time. Hmmmm, but then I am talking about 15 yrs ago, too!
Plan to stop at Depot Bay and watch the waves splash over the highway. Stormy times best for that.
He who hoots with owls at night cannot soar with the eagles in the morning.
He who hoots with owls at night cannot soar with the eagles in the morning.
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Thank you so much, everyone, I really didn't expect so many replies (and those I received in email as well), and my apologies to Rob for the non-Hawaii nature of this thread. I knew there were some here who had lived in the Pacific Northwest hence my request, but didn't expect quite so much information. This really is wonderful, thank you again.
Just to answer a couple of things: I think we're stuck with November for travel dates. The good thing with this is that the prices for hotels are significantly cheaper. I'm also thinking plan B in case the weather is really bad, but also I don't mind the cold and rain since I lived in the UK for so long, and Pam is OK with rain as well having grown up in the desert!
Secondly, I'm thinking of a 3-week trip with about a week spent traveling from San Francisco to Astoria. I'd like to spend 3 nights in Astoria, 3 in Portland where I'll drop the car off and then 4 in Seattle before taking the train back to the Santa Barbara area (where Pam is). Looking at the schedule, this means about a week driving between San Francisco and Astoria (near Portland), so am still hoping Highway 1 is a possibility but will come up with a plan B. I can tweak things by a day or two as well I think but am also treating this as a scouting trip for future stays since it looks to be such a beautiful area, and I've pretty much nailed the Californian central coast for everything I want to see there!
Originally I thought of driving all the way to Seattle but dropping off a one-way rental car there from LA costs an extra $400 compared to dropping it off in Portland, so we'll take the train from there I think.
Thanks again, everyone.
Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/
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A few attractions I've enjoyed:
Just north of the Golden Gate bridge is a great vista point; further north is Muir Woods, fantastic redwoods, really nice on a lightly drizzly day.
Timberline Lodge near Portland Oregon; a WPA project, rustic lodge with great artwork. And I think the road between it and Portland features several waterfalls.
Underground Seattle is a tour at old street level, which is now 10 feet below current street level, don't remember why.
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I did the oregon coast one year in november it was great. The weather was good when when i did it maybe lucky. It was nearly empty of people. We stay at a couple of vaction rentals on the beaches that we got at nearly 1/3 of summer prices. If you can stop at sea lion caves this is a neat toursit thing to do to go down in the cave and here the sea lions is neat.Have a good trip
jrw
jrw
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That is plenty of time for exploring, just a caution to be prepared for detours and nasty weather. A lot of people love the ocean storms and the news on the coast has a lot of stories about people getting hit in the head by a deadhead log in a sneaker wave. To kind of tie this to Puna, if you look straight west from the Oregon coast, that is looking at the northern tip of Hokkaido. You have to go down to Baja and look across to be looking at Puna. The train from Portland to Seattle isn't bad if there aren't any slides. Hwy 101 is considered a state treasure by Oregon and could care less with Washington, you aren't missing much by not driving that. It is a worthwhile driving trip to make at least once.
"This island Hawaii on this island Earth"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*
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don't forget about the tillamook cheese factory.
Hmmm... Being from Oregon. I would skip edgefield.
And instead hit the kennedy school.
http://www.mcmenamins.com/427-kennedy-school-home
Agreed ... Powell bookstore is a must. Best bet? Find a cheap parking garage to park car and get a portland day map. Remember the MAX is free in PDX. "Farless Square". I'd go down the waterfront and walk around the paths, then head up to pioneer square and have lunch. "hunk'en burrito" is a favorite of mine.
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transporta...cle/322409
Many places like powells offer free walking maps. I suggest getting both maps for PDX and Seattle.
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Thanks again, everyone, I have a pretty clear idea now of what to expect and what to plan for and some great places to visit. I can't help thinking, though, that there are an awful lot of people living here that used to live in the Pacific North West. I wonder why that is? Not a serious question, of course, but can't help thinking that if I asked about a road trip on the east coast I wouldn't have had so many replies!
Well, I might test that hypothesis in the future! But not now...
As ever, everyone has been so helpful and Pam and I really appreciate it.
Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/
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TomK, I think it is our present day migration patterns that lead people either north or west ;D either way if migration patterns continue in the same direction, eventually one will end up back where they started from! lol
islandgirl
