San Francisco North on Route 1

[Steve Sweitzer]

Everyone seems to head South from San Francisco. Another couple is joining us for our first RV trip, heading North toward Oregon. We have a week, we might come back through Yosemite.
We're looking for suggestions on places to stay, things to see and places to eat.
Thanks,

Steve

[Robert Schaller]

I stayed at the Anchor Beach Inn at Crescent City, CA (about 2 years ago) and found the owners/hosts very friendly and helpful beyond the call of duty. I had lost my cell phone and they assisted by not only allowing me to use their house phone at no charge, but they even made some calls on my behalf. The place is near new, clean, and very nicely located. I'd love to stay with them again!

Be sure also to stop and see Fort Ross -- the Russians were here! Who knew?

Bob

[imported_Sandra]

Steve,

A friend and I did this route, in reverse (so we could be on the ocean side), many years ago during college. We flew from SFO to Seattle, rented a car, and drove hwy 101, then hwy 1 when it became available (in northern CA).

At the time, we used the book "Let's Go Guide to the Northwest" because we were starving students. If the book is still available, I'd recommend you getting it.

Since you're in an RV, you can stay at campgrounds. I recommend Tom Stienstra's CA camping book. In the far north of CA, you must stay at Humboldt Redwoods State Park. There are many camps along the coast in Oregon. It seems like there's one near every coastal town.

You should know that the road is very crooked. The Oregon coast isn't too twisty, but many parts of the CA coast (especially from hwy 1 to hwy 101) is down right torteous for RVs. The drive is doable, as we saw a handful of RVs when we went.

On the way north, stop at the town of Gualala. Pretty little town, with a nifty restored movie theater which serves popcorn with real butter. If you want to get out of your RV for a night or two, see if the houses at Point Arena Lighthouse (a few miles north of Gualala) are still available for rental. In Eureka is Somoa Cookhouse, which has been mentioned in many guide books.

On the Oregon coast, you'll find many fish and chip places. One of the activities we enjoyed was crabbing (in Bandon, I think). We rented nets, crabbed off the pier, and they cooked our crabs for us.

My family will also be heading to northern Oregon coast, in early September. Since we're visiting relatives, we're taking hwy 5 to get there sooner. Enjoy your road trip!

[imported_Sandra]

Steve,

A friend and I did this route, in reverse (so we could be on the ocean side), many years ago during college. We flew from SFO to Seattle, rented a car, and drove hwy 101, then hwy 1 when it became available (in northern CA).

At the time, we used the book "Let's Go Guide to the Northwest" because we were starving students. If the book is still available, I'd recommend you getting it.

Since you're in an RV, you can stay at campgrounds. I recommend Tom Stienstra's CA camping book. In the far north of CA, you must stay at Humboldt Redwoods State Park. There are many camps along the coast in Oregon. It seems like there's one near every coastal town.

You should know that the road is very crooked. The Oregon coast isn't too twisty, but many parts of the CA coast (especially from hwy 1 to hwy 101) is down right torteous for RVs. The drive is doable, as we saw a handful of RVs when we went. Keep in mind that it gets very foggy during the summer. (I grew up in SF, and I thought the fog was thick. SF fog is like broth, compared to the northern coast's pea soup thick fog.) Of course, if there's a heat wave, you'll have spectacular views everywhere you look.

On the way north, stop at the town of Gualala. Pretty little town, with a nifty restored movie theater which serves popcorn with real butter. If you want to get out of your RV for a night or two, see if the houses at Point Arena Lighthouse (a few miles north of Gualala) are still available for rental. In Eureka is Somoa Cookhouse, which has been mentioned in many guide books.

On the Oregon coast, you'll find many fish and chip places. One of the activities we enjoyed was crabbing (in Bandon, I think). We rented nets, crabbed off the pier, and they cooked our crabs for us.

My family will also be heading to northern Oregon coast, in early September. Since we're visiting relatives, we're taking hwy 5 to get there sooner. Enjoy your road trip!