SF to Seattle/maybe Vancouver with kids

[CalOldBlue]

Funky attractions in the Redwoods area (I refuse to be held accountable if one or more members of the party think these are lame... they HAVE entertained any number of tourists over the years and are still in business). All these are on US101.

There are a couple drive-thru trees; here's the one in Myers Flat I managed to squeeze a Ford Expedition through (very very carefully after folding the outside mirrors in):


Photo: Don Casey

(I'm not sure, but that white mark may be a flood high water mark painted there: from the 1955 or 1964 flood).

Confusion Hill: one of those places with 'unexplained phenomena', usually related to an off-kilter structure. Can be fun watching balls roll uphill, etc. A few miles north of Leggett.

The visitor center in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The 'funky' here is one of the world's first RVs, built out of a hollowed redwood log mounted on a 1920s truck chassis.


Photo: Don Casey (aren't fisheye lenses fun?)

Trees of Mystery: has expanded a lot since I went through there in the 1960s... core of the attraction are some interestingly-formed redwood trees, with associated legends, myths, and not to forget the huge Paul Bunyan statue out front. Past Eureka but before Crescent City in Klamath (California, NOT Klamath Falls, OR).

Leaving "funky" aside for now......

As you continue north on US101 you'll be passing through redwood country up to and into Oregon.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Avenue of the Giants (both a little north of Garberville) offer lots and lots of opportunities to see and get close to redwoods. I would highly recommend the self-guiding walk in Founders Grove as something the kids would both enjoy and tolerate. The Dyerville Giant (fallen redwood on this trail) has to be seen in person to fully understand how massive these trees can be. I'm 6'2" and standing straight up when I took this shot:


Photo: Don Casey

Beyond Avenue of the Giants and closer to the Oregon border is Redwood National Park, and a few more state parks.

A little beyond Klamath you have to make a choice: continue up the coast and follow it north, or cut inland on US199.

On the coast the kid-friendly things that come to mind are jet boats on the Rogue from Gold Beach (more on this option below), dune buggies in the Oregon dunes near Florence, the cheese factory at Tillamook, and the Tillamook Air Museum (in an old blimp hanger that is worth a look all by itself).

On the inland route (and the one I lean towards, at least in part):

Oregon Caves: easy 90 minute tour of the caves, and the hotel there (The Chateau, below) is a hoot. A little worn, but what kid wouldn't like eating in a restaurant with a creek running down the middle of it, or in a 1950s era soda shop. May be worth looking at this for an overnight:


Photo: Don Casey

Eventually, 199 runs into I5 at Grants Pass. This is the other place to take a jetboat ride on the Rogue:


Photo: Don Casey

I LOVE THESE THINGS! and my guess is so will your kids. Trips come in varying lengths, the longer ones include lunch or dinner.

The other things in Southern Oregon worth mentioning include:

Crater Lake

Ashland Shakespeare Festival (have non-Shakespeare plays too, including maybe some aimed at the younger set)

Jacksonville (19th century town)

Photo: Don Casey

and for the foodies in the crowd: Harry and David's mother store in Medford, Rogue Creamery in Central Point (at least 4 types of bleu cheese; try the smokey blue), and Butte Creek (working) Mill in Eagle Point.

In theory, you could cut back to the coast from somewhere north on I5, or follow it up to Portland.

You also could take a run up the east side of the Cascades (by exiting Crater Lake to the north), allowing you to hit things like the High Desert Museum in Bend (Natural History museum with live raptor shows, etc.), and cross back over the shoulder of Mount Hood, or better hitting the Columbia, turning left, and following it to Portland.

Lots and lots of option.

I believe I'm done here.