hello! i'm new to this, but the forum seems like a GREAT place to gather info! next week i will be leaving phoenix to head to seattle for a couple months. i have never been up the coast before and am looking forward to the drive, for the scenery if nothing else. i have no concrete plans on how long i'll spend on the road, probably about 2 weeks including my stops in LA, San Fran and Portland. i am VERY low on cash and have friend's with spare couches in these cities but in-between i have no lodging plans - i figured i'd just end up sleeping in my car, or i'd unroll my bedroll somewhere. when i shared this plan with my dear father yesterday he expressed some concerns about his 22 year old daughter sleeping alone and vulnerable in her car in strange and dangerous cities. any suggestions on how to car-sleep/camp safely?
also, from sanfran to portland i originally planned to go pacific coast highway (for the views), but now i'm wondering if the whole way will get a little too windy for me. any suggestions on places to see/stop from people who've made this drive before? again, i've never ever been in this part of the country and want to soak up everything (which is impossible, i know). i don't really know how to start planning because i don't know the area at all.