Pacific Coast Highway

helesh · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:07 am Post subject: Pacific Coast Highway

In a week or so Helen and I will make our yearly trek south from Bellingham to AZ for the winter. No boat, kayaks or bikes just driving slow down US 101. We've been this way before but would love to hear from folks about their favorite side trips, offbeat attractions, and places to eat. We plan to take 8+ days so we are in no hurry.
Thanks in Advance
Les

Bill Uffelman · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:16 am Post subject:

Had good slumgullion at Mo's south end of Cannon Beach OR a couple weeks ago.

Bill Uffelman
Las Vegas NV

Jim & Dara · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 2:29 am Post subject:

I like any of the parks right around Crescent City Ca. The coastal redwoods are incredible. In June we camped, hiked and kayaked at Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park off of Hwy 199. There seemed to be plenty of places for a quick walk to stretch the legs.

Captains Cat · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 9:19 am Post subject:

Sally and I used to live in the Carmel Highlands, right off the coast highway south of Monterey. The trip south of there is spectacular, through Big Sur and further south. Bring a camera!

Charlie

1TUBERIDER · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 9:57 am Post subject:

I know of some areas worth checking out.

If you have time for a couple mile walk Ecola st park north of Manzanita, Or. It is a beautiful park. Camping only. Locals call it short sand beach.

In Crescent City take a trip over howland hill road. The casino is on the western entrance and it winds through old growth redwoods for around 10 miles and ends up in Hiouchi which puts you back on 199 through the redwoods and into Crescent City. This is more of a local knowledge thing as parks and attractions all want you to stop.

Of course 101 stays inland below Eureka, so if you have the time take 1 at leggit and head over to fort Bragg and south to San Francisco. This adds around 8 hours to the trip, but follows the coast. Lots of beaches, small communities, sea stacks and 20 mph corners.

If you surf and have made it to fort Bragg, you have passed many great surfing beaches. I know of most of them from Westport to Cabo. That would be my mission.

Have a good trip.

Wefings · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 10:02 am Post subject:

Stop and have you a cowboy steak at F. Mclintock's Saloon and restaurant . Its one of my faves and always great fun in Shell Beach . Guess I gotta make a trip west soon.......
Marc

Doryman · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 10:19 am Post subject:

Ooops.

hardee

Tillamook, Stop and see the Cheese Factory. Then get some fresh curds. It's cheese in the raw, squeaky clean and soooooooooo good Thumbs Up

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

El and Bill · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:20 pm Post subject:

A suggestion, Les. El and I enjoy 'quests' - like see all the covered bridges in New England, or explore the hometowns of the major conquistadors of the New World, or 500 North American bird species in two years, or ...

So, we would suggest (if you enjoy quests, and the out-of-the-way places they lead you to visit) - collect the lighthouses of the West coast. Here are a few, with data from AAA:

Point Bonita-Golden Gate-Marin Highlands -
www.nps.gov/goga/pobo.htm

Heceta Head off 101 on way to Yachats, OR -
www. hecetalighthouse.com

Pigeon Pt - Hwy 1, s. of Half Moon Bay, CA -
www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=533

Pt. Reyes - nps.gov/pore

Cape Disappointment - 101 Ilwaco, WA - parks.wa.gov

And more, you can look up if interested: www.westofpch.com/lighthouse/

You can even stay in or near many in b&b's: bandb.about.com/cs/uniquegetaways/a/lighthouses_2.htm

SEA3PO · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:23 pm Post subject:

Marc....When ya make that "out west" trip I sure would like to buy you that steak at F. Mclintock's....my Yamaha motors are still running well after your guys found the problem in my carbs....

Joel
SEA3PO

Wefings · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:58 pm Post subject:

Thanks Joel ! I appreciate that ,we try . Marc

Chuckpacific · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:25 pm Post subject:

The good news is that the start of the best hike on the Oregon coast is just a short walk from Hwy 101. Heading south after Cannon Beach you'll pass the tiny settlement of Arch Cape before entering a short (1/4 mile) tunnel. When you emerge from the tunnel you'll be in Oswald West (there is no Oswald East.....Oswald West was an early governor of Oregon) State Park. You'll see a large parking lot on the left hand side of the road. Don't let the large number of cars in the lot scare you. After you park you'll realize that few of them are hikers but rather surfers wanting to use one of the best spots on the north Oregon coast. Walk toward the beach on the path that leads under the highway bridge (about 1/4 mile). When you get to the campground (that overlooks the beach/cove) look for the start of the Cape Falcon trail. It climbs quickly to points 5-600 feet above the cove and then heads out along the open ocean for fantastic flora/fauna and coastal views. The best part is that you can tailor the length of the walk to your comfort level as you return the same way. Afterward head to Manzanita for a snack.

C-Hawk · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:50 pm Post subject:

Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is California State Route 1. This is a beautiful drive. Come on down south of Monterey, through Big Sur and watch the road- it gets very curvy, but the scenery is great.
Mclintocks is good, but you might want to wait until you get to Nipomo and have a steak at Jocko's- just a few miles south of Shell Beach.

Give us a shout when you get close to Carpinteria.

SEA3PO · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:57 pm Post subject:

Is that where were going fer dinner tonight Roger ??

Joel
SEA3PO

DaveS · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject:

Back in the 70's when I worked for a bank, whenever we traveled north from L.A. we'd eat at the Far Western Tavern/Restaurant in Guadalupe. They had great steaks and rocky mountain oysters!

Having not been there since the 70's, I "googled" the Far Western and the following is a recent quote from one of their extremely satisfied customers. "tourists go to McKlintocks and Jocko's, but locals go to Far Western". How about it guys, is the Far Western still a great place to eat?

Durn, I'm getting HUNGRY!