Best Time To Drive up the California Coast

W

Will-C

New member
Hi,
My wife is planning a trip and wants to fly into San Francisco rent some wheels and drive south to see Carmel and then proceed north up the coastal highway and end up in Seattle and maybe on to Vancouver. I wondered what would be the best time of year to do this? Is there a bad time of year to do it? Just in the planning stages. Any things or places that should not be missed including places to stay eat etc would be appreciated. :smile
 
Spring time! May-the grass is green, the waterfalls are in full swing but the crowds aren't out yet. Consider driving the coast hwy from north to south as you see the coast better - especially in Washington & Oregon.
 
We live across the Hood Canal from the Olympic Peninsula (about 2 hours west of Seattle, WA) in an area offering natural beauty year round.

This area offers dense and lush evergreen forests, impressive mountains, and glorious areas for boating in which one can often see quite a bit of wildlife (sea lions, seals, whales, etc.).

I honestly believe that when the sun is shining this area is as pretty as anywhere in the world we have ever visited in our travels.

The winter months though can be a bit depressing up here w/ lots of rain, darkness and overcast skies, and a pervasive dampness combined w/ cooler (usually not extremely cold at least near the coast) temperatures.

If I had my choice I would definitely prefer to drive thru this area - especially if it was your first time visiting - during the summer months to really appreciate and enjoy it.

Take care,
Dan
 
Late spring--flowers, better weather, warmer, some migratory Whales etc. But start the trip in S. Calf, and enjoy Morro Bay, San Simmion, Big Sur, etc. This is some of the best part of the trip--and go all of the way to Forks, then over the Olympics--have lunch at Cressent Lake before getting to Port Angeles.

Certainly one of the best drives in the US--but allow plenty of time!
 
I agree with the good Doctor. :thup I would follow his prescription for scenic beauty! :D
The drive between Moro Bay and Monterey is among the best.
 
For a reasonable certainty of good weather, plan on coming through Seattle about July 29 - August 2nd...there MIGHT be nice weather at other times, but it is totally hit and miss...of course that may not mesh with the schedule for the rest of the trip.
 
October is a beautiful time to drive up the coast from San Francisco. The weather will be warm, no fog, and no rain. Go over the Golden Gate Bridge and then take Highway 1. Go out the Lost Coast loop on your way up to Eureka, and spend some time on the Southern Oregon coast in Brookings.

Eric
 
Not often the grass isn't green on the coast, but I would do it in late spring like Dr Bob, I'd like early May. Better Temps, nice day length, not as many travelers out yet, and more birds, flowers and wildlife. Don't know the Cal coast, but Oregon and Washington. Check in to some lighthouses, Bandon for one, and the Cheese factory at Tillamook, Sea lion caves, The Maritime Museum in Astoria, keepers of the Columbia River bar, and across the river, where Lewis and Clark camped, are some of my favorites. The Oregon hiway (101) is pretty much on the water all the way, not so on the Washington side of the Columbia.

Late September is pretty nice too, but more tourists still hanging out.

Have a fun time,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Near Plaskett Creek State Park on California's Pacific Coast Highway
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Just north of Plaskett Creek on PCH (Hiway 1)
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These were taken in late April a couple years ago.

Roger
 
Another suggestion is to drive up/down the coast on Cal Hwy 1 from San Luis Obispo, to Morro Bay, thru San Simeon and on to Monterey. Since you're going to Carmel, it's just a short jaunt south to see some of the most spectacular views in California. Are we more impressed by the word spectacular as opposed to beautiful? The drive is both.

And then continue north thru Frisco, across the Golden gate Bridge and take Hwy 1 on up the coast. It's certainly the most scenic route and you get to see Drakes Bay, Fort Ross and a whole bunch of town along the coast. Don't forget the restaurant in the town of Samoa, just above Eureka.

Spring is green, but even more important, the tourists aren't out in force. However, since it's right on the coast, I actually prefer early summer. Also, be patient, there's a lot of sloow people on a narrow road.

Boris
 
Be sure and check the rental car companies policy on taking the car out of state. :?

As I remember most of US Hwy 1 north of San Francisco was a very windy road 1/2 a mile in from the water with mostly obscured vision. :sad

After one frustrating trip, we would always go up to Eureka before cutting over to the coast. From there on the view is open and very scenic. :thup

Jack :smiled
 
We live near just south of San Francisco, on the coast, and my boat is in the water about 1.5 nm from the airport. If time allows, please email or call to let me know when you will be in the area, and we can get together for lunch, or even a trip out on the bay. My home number is included in the email that I sent you.

David

PS Same invitation to any other C-Brats that will be in the area.
 
Hello all,

This is such a great site and full of wonderful people. Thank you all for your thoughtful responses, past, present and future. We are shooting for 2011 late spring or early fall.
Dave and Ginny Deem
 
My favorite time of year to ride the Northern California coast is around the second to third week of June. It seems to be a window between the rains and the tourist crush.
Be sure to visit the Samoa Cookhouse on Humboldt bay. It is the last cookhouse in the West. The food is simple but satisfying and it's like eating inside a museum. I can't overstate how good of an experience it is.
http://www.samoacookhouse.net/
In Orick take a little time to check out the place selling Redwood carvings right beside the road.
 
When you get to Coos Bay take the left turn west to Charleston. It is a picturesque little port with a seafood market that has the best, most fresh, seafood I have found on the coast. San Luis Obispo has a really nice county park and campground out on the bay, a little windy but terrific views and a really relaxed setting.
 
any time of the year is good as long as it is not a holiday weekend or July 4th week. I like spring or fall. and if push comes to shove I would pick September or October. we drove it 4 years ago after thanksgiving and it was great. i am just lucky to be married to a women who lives watching bad weather and storms move thru. sun shine is over rated.
 
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