Portland to SD and lots in-between

[Paul and Steph]

Hey there, my wife and I are planning our first real road trip and could use some advice. We are heading from Portland, OR to SD. We have 6 days to get down there and 4 to get back. We are leaving next Thursday the 22nd!!!!

We plan on heading down I-5 to Crater Lake, then staying the night in Kalamath.

Then we want to head to Cresent City and drive the coast a bit and see the Redwoods. So, the first question is, where should we go to see the most impressive redwoods (we'd love to go on a short 1-2 hr hike! - any advice here would be great).

Then, we want to end up at Clear Lake and stay the night there. We are not sure if we should go down hwy1 or 101 to get there. Are there any attractions on either that are a don't miss? Or is one just a more impressive drive than the other? (I know 101 would be about an hr quicker).

From Clear Lake we want to end up in Santa Cruz and surf. Is there anything inbetween Clear Lake and Santa Cruz we should see? We'll probably stay there a couple nights.

Then head down to Pismo beach to surf some more! Again, any suggestions on taking either hwy 1 or 101 from Santa Cruz to Pismo?

From Pismo we'll head to Pasedena to visit a friend, then onto SD. We'll stay in SD for 4 days, then head back up.

Since we have less time to get back and will have already done most the 101 and hwy 1 stuff, we'll likey just head up I-5. Any suggestions on to make the return trip a little more interesting (Places to see, things to do, hikes to go on)?

All suggestions are welcome! Any web-sites that would help would be fantastic as well. Thanks all!!!

Paul and Steph

[imported_mark]

dont forget to hit magic mountain,its off the I-5 right after the grape vine.

Also the winerys off the I-15 in temecula

[The San Diego Highwayman]

Big Sur has beautiful redwoods. In the groves, they seem to be holding up the sky! You can hike up the river a short distance and go skinny-dipping [ don't tell anyone ;) ] in the pool below the falls [ beautiful spot ] COLD water just now tho! [ feels GOOD in the heat of summer ]

Another place NOT to miss would be Deetjen's Big Sur Inn -- even if you don't STAY there you MUST eat there [ the food is to DIE for!!! ] breakfast and dinners only NO lunch.

If you're looking for Deetjens it's between Big Sur Park and Nepanthe nestled in a canyon on an "IN" turn of Highway 1 and if you blink you'll MISS it -- MY advice DON'T BLINK

[Mark Sedenquist]

US-199 passes through the Jedediah Smith Redlands SP enroute to Crescent City -- there are some awesome groves enroute.

Redwoods NP is gorgeous -- get off the road and walk the beach -- some amazing breaks, I don't think they are surfed much, don't know why.

Trindidad State Beach is another little visited hang-out and Arcata is a fun town.

Personally I never get tired of driving CA-1 between Ft. Leggett and San Francisco. Our favorite place for vegetarian fare is the <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/eats/ravens.htm">Ravens</a> in Mendocino.

I did a book review on a new <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/read/California-Highway-1.htm">CA-1 guidebook</a> that I recommend you look at. The author shares a number of places only known to the locals along the way.

Mark

[Buck]

Crescent City isd a great place to spend a couple of days! We always stay at the Best Western. Several restaurants nearby(one next door)!Travel South along coast to Orick,Ca. Visit the US Forest Service information Center Southend of Orick. Getr directions there to THe Lady Bird Johnson Trail. Wonderful !!
Head South to Eureka. When you cross Klamath River (see the golden bears) Turn right and follow old highway through big trees.
South of Eureka (approx 15-20 miles) take the avenue of the giants exit.WOW!

I have lots of other recommendations, if you are interested.

Buck Graham

[Katie]

I'm a college student living in San Luis Obispo. I was born in San Diego, raised in Newberg, and now my family is living back in SD. So you could say I am quite familiar with the PDX to SD route! I would suggest staying here in SLO (we're only 15 minutes North of Pismo). Also, if you come down 101 you have to drive straight through town. Actually, you go through town if you take hwy 1 too. THere are a few cute towns about 30-45 minutes north of SLO that are worth a pull of the hwy. If you come that way, check out Harmony, population 18! Also Cambria and Cayocos (kai-YOU-cus) SLO is a quaint little town and really fun to walk downtown and see all the little shops. The Madonna Inn is a really fun place to stay if you have a little extra money. There are a couple great mountains here to hike- about 45 min up and a little less on the way down. You get a great view of the town and all the way to the ocean! There are so many things to do, let me know if you want more info. There is tons of stuff to do in SD, of course, but I recomend hiking around the cliffs at Torrey Pines. iT is the perfect spot to catch a great sunset. And La Jolla Shores is packed with surfers. Have a great trip!

[Earl K]

In Cresent city, you chould try a kamping Kabin at the Cresent city KOA. You will be under the redwoods. It's worth the stay. We have been there twice. The latest time was summer of 2003 with 3 grand children. It was part of a 28 day around the US trip.