Vancouver, BC to Los Angeles California in 4 days....needs some tips and advice.

[jaydy]

hi donna,

i think i will do the mt shasta as it's near the highway.

although i really wanted to check out the redwood trees. can you guys suggest a park that is not too far off my travel route so i can drop by to check out the redwood trees. thanks.

[Midwest Michael]

There are actually two very different trees people often talk about when they say they want to visit the "Redwoods." One is the coastal redwoods, the other are Giant Sequoias, here's more about the differences.

If you want to visit the coastal redwoods, then you'll have to detour to the coast, to see them at places like Redwoods National Park, or Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The easiest way to do that would be to detour off I-5 at Grants Pass onto US-199 to US-101, and follow that all the way down to the Bay Area.

If you want to see the Sequoias, then your options are Sequoia National Park, Sequoia National Monument, or Yosemite National Park. Any of these places would have you detouring off I-5 at Stockton or Sacramento, and then use CA-99 down the east side of the Central Valley before heading up into the Mountains for any of those parks.

[jaydy]

You also wouldn't necessarily have to stick to I-5. The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most scenic drives in the world, and with 4 days, doing some of this would certainly be a possibility.

Hi Midwest Michael,
I have been giving your suggestion much thought and i would really like to alter my route and bring the pacific coast highway into my trip. can you help suggest to me a good plan?

so from vancouver i plan to take the I-5 until grants pass and then take the redwood highway to visit the REDWOODS! :-)

then continue down to san francisco.

here is my question....where do you suggest i start taking the #1?

is it nicer to take the #1 from the Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area or just continue down the 101 until i hit the #1 in Mill Valley and then continue using the #1 all the way down to Los Angeles?

If not, please suggest the segments that i should do the Pacific Coast Highway and when i should use the 101 or the I-5 for my way to Los Angeles.

thanks in advance.

[glc]

The most scenic portion of CA-1 is between Monterey and Cambria - but with only 4 days you will be pressed for time if you want to take both US-101 through the redwoods and any portion of CA-1.

You could probably do both if you do one on the way down and the other on the way back - I'd drive 1 going southbound.

[Chris w]

Hello jaydy! I am a former Sask. native, living in Southern California for most of my life. Question 1)- Refer to California Department of Motor vehicles CA. DMV, for 5 year old child seat regs. I would say yes to the seat, but check there for recent specs.
4) Weather in June traditionally in CA is cool with fog- however recently, you never know. Usually in the 60's, but prepare for the 80's or above!
Day 4- Encino- Encino is not a hotbed for tourists. Depending on traffic, it can be a nightmare. LA traffic jams 6am-10am, then 4:40pm-7pm. If you can hold up (and traffic not too bad), I would recommend a hotel down by Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park (they have their own hotel now) or Disneyland (plenty around the resort that are not so costly!) That is if you are heading there with your child!
3) Highly recommend Adventure City (about 2 miles past Knott's) Perfect for a 5 year old. Reasonably priced with great food available. A smaller alternative to the craziness and crowds of Disneyland. Knott's is normally less crowded than Disneyland. All three places have 5 year old friendly rides. Disneyland- we eat at the chicken place that overlooks the large lagoon and sailing ship in main lot. Lots of seating and fresh air! Disneyland is hard and exhausting to do in one day. They do sell "park hopper" tickets- check into that. Also AAA or AARP sometimes has discounted tickets. Knott's (I believe) has an on-line discount- so if you purchase and print your ticket online you save money. Don't forget the parking pass- expensive but worth doing all at once. If you want to eat at any of the "fancier" Disney restaurants, highly recommend reservations- ask when you get there.

The Long Beach Aquarium in Long Beach, CA is great for kids, including a feed the lorikeet birds area (birds at an aquarium, don't ask!) They have a new sea otter area that is very fun to watch at too. Near there is the Queen Mary ship- you can purchase a ticket for both and save some money too.

The California beaches are beautiful- May be too cool to dip in water, but you never know. Wear sunscreen. Torrance beach in Torrance, CA is very nice. It is in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Denny's in Torrance great place to eat for families. Actually, Torrance is a nice hotel area too, and not a bad hike to Disney, Knott's or Adv City, depending on not hitting the traffic. Usually traffic is bad going South in am, and North in pm.

Hope that helps you out! We are planning a trip from LA to Seattle or Vancouver during the same time frame... Good luck and safe driving, eh? (Had to add the prairie lingo!)

chrisw

[Southwest Dave]

Hi Chris, welcome to RTA !

Thanks for jumping in on your first post and offering help and ideas to another member, it's greatly appreciated.

Dave.

[Lifemagician]

As above, I also recommend you do CA1 on the journey south, and 101 on the homeward bound leg. This will take you past the Humboldt State Park and The Avenue of Giants. Definitely worth a drive through, if not a stop. Nearby is also the drive-through tree. That would fascinate a 5yo.

Best way to pick up CA1 is to head down 101 till you get to 156, and take that to CA1 north of Monterey. The Cambria area is a good overnight stop.

Lifey