[Freakazoid]

By the west coast, I mean literally the span of it, Cali, Oregon, and Washington. I've been to California and Washington for brief stints at a time. But I'm flying into California, and pretty much plan on making this into a roadtrip of sorts (but still being 'based' in Anaheim).

Any suggestions for the journey? Any must stop places/tourist traps/etc/etc? There are some tremendous views that I've wandered into in the past, but if there's any specific recommendations, let me know!

[GarySL]

Hwy 1 from San Luis Obispo to SF. Hwy 1 from Marin to northern Mendocino. Avenue of the Giants from southern Humboldt to Pepperwood, just south of Eureka. Hwy 101 from Crescent City to WA. Packed with tremendous views if you aren't in a hurry. Enjoy the drive.

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by GarySL

Hwy 1 from San Luis Obispo to SF. Hwy 1 from Marin to northern Mendocino. Avenue of the Giants from southern Humboldt to Pepperwood, just south of Eureka. Hwy 101 from Crescent City to WA. Packed with tremendous views if you aren't in a hurry. Enjoy the drive.

that's now on the list, thanks! up for any other suggestions anyone might have as well

[Mr Tonka]

^^ All good!!

I did something similar last year. Flew into San Diego and drove Hwy 1 up to Eureka and back down to San Francisco. Awesome road trip. Don't forget about the Lost Coast! In my opinion, everything north of Santa Cruz is awesome.

[KingOfJericho]

I thought Big Sur was pretty unreal.

[Uber V8]

For night life stuff:

L.A. Live, Santa Monica Promenade, cruise sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, (catch the drunks and slutty women straggling) old town Pasadena.

For scenic stuff:

Sequoia National Park has the largest trees in the world (General sherman tree) and as others have mentioned the PCH 1 frwy is winning.

For food stuff:

Crustaceans, (seafood) Louise's Trattoria (Italian) and if you don't have IN N' OUT in your area please do yourself a favor and get a double double.

[infinitekidM2C]

If you're already in OC, take the 5 freeway down to 133/Laguna Canyon road..then take that road to Laguna Beach...chill at the beach, surf lessons, eat some local grub, whatever

[Wraith.]

It's in the Mid 80's up here in the PNW, has been all week and will be for at least another week. Seattle, surrounded by mountains and water without the smog of socal, is hard to beat right now.

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by Wraith.

It's in the Mid 80's up here in the PNW, has been all week and will be for at least another week. Seattle, surrounded by mountains and water without the smog of socal, is hard to beat right now.

smog? when's the last time you've been to socal...our air is a lot cleaner these days

[Freakazoid]

thanks for all the suggestions guys, keep it coming! I'm literally planning on doing all of 'em.

For reference too, don't hesitate to suggest something, I'm really the type that will do much of anything and can appreciate just about anything (outside of the ridiculous out there artsy stuff).
Truthfully all I know out there are the big name cities and whatnot, but I have no idea of any actual PLACES out there that are exemplary.

[E90SoFlo]

Originally Posted by infinitekid2002

smog? when's the last time you've been to socal...our air is a lot cleaner these days

Drove through in feb and it was pretty smoggy.

I did just come from Seattle though >_<

[infinitekidM2C]

Ok maybe i'm used to it but it's not nearly as bad as it used to be growing up when we had regular smog alerts and you could almost taste the air...

If you're gonna do some shopping then South Coast Plaza (OC) or Beverly Center (LA). But San Francisco has great shopping if you're headed up to the bay area.

[Bobble]

GarySL hit the best drives, South of SLO it's just freeway driving and for that stay on the majors. There is some nice driving on the old PCH in North
SD county but it's nothing like the central and north coast.

If you like tourist locations the SD Zoo is great as are the museums in Balboa Park adjacent to the zoo. Also could check which ships are open for tours, if any, at the G street pier in SD. Pads and Bolts games!

OC Laguna is nice but crowded busy, in there enjoy a meal ay Las Brisas, food is decent but view is spectacular. If you like to fish and Tuna are running take a half day boat out of Dana Point or visit Balboa Island and beaches at Newport(too bad surf was cranking the last week or so and entertaining to watch).

LA even though I live in OC never go unless i have to, too crowded for me.

Old Santa Barbara is nice, there's all the mission too, on some road trips I did when the kids were young(their intheir 20's now) we would stop at one of the missions for a tour or visit, real glimpse into old Cali.

SF same as LA great food and atrractions but crowded to drive, I use Public transpo there.

[Mr Tonka]

here is a link to the picture gallery from our Cali trip. Figured if you saw something you liked i could give you the location.

Also, doing it again i would have spent some more time at Big Sur. Carmel By The Sea is a cool place too. Just south of Monterey.

Have fun!

http://jcox.smugmug.com/Travel/Calif...79920469_X7x3o

[MadDog]

Originally Posted by FwdFtl

For night life stuff:

L.A. Live, Santa Monica Promenade, cruise sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, (catch the drunks and slutty women straggling) old town Pasadena.

For scenic stuff:

Sequoia National Park has the largest trees in the world (General sherman tree) and as others have mentioned the PCH 1 frwy is winning.

For food stuff:

Crustaceans, (seafood) Louise's Trattoria (Italian) and if you don't have IN N' OUT in your area please do yourself a favor and get a double double.

Order it "Animal style"

[GarySL]

Part I

It's been many decades since I've made the trip but if I was going to do it, here's what I'd do (assuming 100% coastal) after completing the obligatory Orange/LA/Ventura/Santa Barbara stops:

Hwy 1-San Luis Obispo coast:

First stop-Morro Bay (Montara de Oro State Park, Morro Strand, golf..., all stunners);

Second stop-San Simeon (great coastal views en route) & visit Hearst Castle. Further up Hwy 1 visit the Piedras Blancas Pt. Lighthouse.

Monterey coast:

First stop-Big Sur, with extended stay including numerous state parks & up to Los Padres National Forest to Cone Peak lookout & see the Bristlecone Fir. Watch for introduced California Condors at various coastal overlooks.

Second stop-Carmel/Pt. Lobos/Monterey, spectacular scenery, offshore whale/bird watching trips out of Monterey, world class aquarium, golf, Cannery Row...

Santa Cruz coast:

Boardwalk/beaches/surf/redwood state parks/Natural Bridges/Pigeon Pt. Lighthouse...

San Mateo coast:

Ano Nuevo State Preserve-Northern Elephant Seal colony

More beaches, more redwood state parks, Half Moon Bay and more beaches...

San Francisco coast:

Could write a chapter on this alone, Alcatraz, Ft. Point, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Cliff House, Ocean Beach, golf, world class museums, classy eating...

To be cont.. Part II, including Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino coast Hwy 1 highlights & Humboldt & Del Norte Hwy 101 highlights.

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by GarySL

Part I

It's been many decades since I've made the trip but if I was going to do it, here's what I'd do (assuming 100% coastal) after completing the obligatory Orange/LA/Ventura/Santa Barbara stops:

Hwy 1-San Luis Obispo coast:

First stop-Morro Bay (Montara de Oro State Park, Morro Strand, golf..., all stunners);

Second stop-San Simeon (great coastal views en route) & visit Hearst Castle. Further up Hwy 1 visit the Piedras Blancas Pt. Lighthouse.

Monterey coast:

First stop-Big Sur, with extended stay including numerous state parks & up to Los Padres National Forest to Cone Peak lookout & see the Bristlecone Fir. Watch for introduced California Condors at various coastal overlooks.

Second stop-Carmel/Pt. Lobos/Monterey, spectacular scenery, offshore whale/bird watching trips out of Monterey, world class aquarium, golf, Cannery Row...

Santa Cruz coast:

Boardwalk/beaches/surf/redwood state parks/Natural Bridges/Pigeon Pt. Lighthouse...

San Mateo coast:

Ano Nuevo State Preserve-Northern Elephant Seal colony

More beaches, more redwood state parks, Half Moon Bay and more beaches...

San Francisco coast:

Could write a chapter on this alone, Alcatraz, Ft. Point, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Cliff House, Ocean Beach, golf, world class museums, classy eating...

To be cont.. Part II, including Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino coast Hwy 1 highlights & Humboldt & Del Norte Hwy 101 highlights.

feel free to continue! more than likely san fran will be a short jaunt through. I used to fly there all the time for work, and I know the area, very very well now.

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by MadDog

Order it "Animal style"

this is the internet, so I tread carefully....are you serious?

[KingOfJericho]

Yes... he is serious.

[Bobble]

In & Out has a hidden or secret menu. You can find it on the internet.My youngest, when he was swin=mking and playing water polom used to eat 2 4x4's portion style. That would be 4 patties all warapped in lettuce no bun. Actually if you've eaten at a five guys back east it's pretty similar.

[TK-421]

I want to visit CA just for In & Out

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by Bobble

Actually if you've eaten at a five guys back east it's pretty similar.

This. Although, I do think InO has a slight edge. Five Guys has absolutely exploded over the last 18 months. There are 3 within 15 minutes of my now.