San Francisco to Portland

[glc]

Do you have 3 days to go back from Portland to SF? If so, you can take 101 and CA-1 all the way. It's about 800 miles. Overnights might be Coos Bay and Garberville.

[PNW Judy]

It can be done but there are so many interesting places to stop along the way and traffic is often slow. So, if you can swing it, try for four days but, if you can't three would work. You just won't be able to stop and explore as much.

I agree, if you do it, go all the way an definitely include CA-1.

If you plan your travel days mid-week, I don't think you should have too much trouble finding hotels so I would just wing it, stopping when you're ready and find an interesting place.

There are too many stops that suit your interest to list them here. It really would take a small book. The Oregon Coast is great at marketing itself. I'm sure any visitor center/tourist bureau in Portland will have extensive brochures about the coast. If not, hit the visitor center in the first town you stop at on the coast.

Some of my favorite places are Astoria, Fort Clatsop, Fort Stevens, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Tillamook (stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory), Depoe Bay, Newport, Sea Lion Caves, Sand Dune Rec Area, Bandon, Brookings, the various Redwood forest stops, Eureka, and than the entire CA-1 portion. And this doesn't even count all the lighthouses, great beaches to stop and explore, and trails at the various parks along the way.

Again, you can't really make a bad choice and there is no way you'll see it all so you must make choices. So get your free guides and just wing it and have a great time!