Los Angeles to Portland in 8 days

[wonderlust]

Hey All,

My boyfriend and I are doing a cross country move from NY to Portland in June. Before we get to Portland we are embarking on a month long road trip. We are trying to save our money as much as possible and plan on sleeping in National Parks most nights. We have 8 days to get from LA to Portland and would like to split our nights between camping and Air BnBs. If possible, we would love to camp on a beach one night. I've been to San Francisco before, but no where else in California. We also would love to go wine tasting one day if anyone can suggest their favorite vineyards. If anyone has any suggestions on places to see along to coast of CA/PO it would be greatly appreciated!


Thank you for all your help!

[DonnaR57]

Welcome to RTA!

In reading your post, I am a little confused. If I read this correctly, you are moving from NY to Portland but plan to head to LA first and then up to Portland, and that the LA--> Portland segment is 8 days long.

Camping on a beach is not usually a problem in California as long as you realize two things: State and city park beaches will require that you find their campground, which often as not is located right next to the beach (rather than on it). Second, in June, plan on getting a reservation at any beach campground. Many people like yourself, love to camp at the beach! So it's very popular, and when the kids are out of school, reservations are necessary. Camping at the state park beaches is NOT exactly "cheap", usually running around $25 for a tent spot.

Sleeping at national parks -- camping will run you around $20-30 night there, too, plus your entry fee. BTW, look into the parks that you *are* going to, for entry fees. An annual pass will cost $80. Any of the major parks, like Yosemite, Yellowstone/Grand Teton, and Grand Canyon, will cost $30 each. It adds up quickly so the annual pass may be a better deal. The annual pass will not save you any money on overnights.

California is home to many, many wineries. They are all over the state. North of San Francisco is a big lot of them in the Napa and Sonoma Valley regions.

Do you have paper maps? If you do, and open up a map of California, you'll see that there are plenty of things to see and do along the coast north of SF. Offhand....Muir Woods, Redwoods National Park and a lot of other state parks surrounding it, Oregon Caves National Monument, just to name a few.


Donna

[Southwest Dave]

As well as the coast there are some wonderful National parks in California. Death valley, Sequoia, Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic park and the Redwoods plus much more in between. There are many great attractions around Portland as well but as that is to be home you could spend your time on things further away and then visit those around you once settled.