Topic: Need advice for west coast trip

[MOtub]

Hey left coasters,

My wife and I are taking a driving (not riding) vacation next month and meandering up the coast from LA to Seattle over 5-6 days. We have some plans about where to stay and a couple of places we want to see, but does anyone have any good advice about particular favorites that we should seek out? Scenery, restaurants, etc? We've tried not to make too many definite plans so we can just meander as much as time will allow, and stop where we see something interesting. I'm sure you all have some opinions?

[faux fiddy]

There are some  hot springs  North   East of Seattle, many others around  PNW  but I don't know them all.

[Stev-o]

Pacific Coast Highway is not to be missed.

[BeSeeingYou]

Crater Lake.

[Stev-o]

"CB Heaven" in San Francisco

http://www.charlies-place.com/PAGES/About.html

[flybox1]

Costal Stuff:
Cannon Beach, OR
Tillamook, OR
Long Beach, WA
Westport, WA
Port Angeles, WA + Hurricane Ridge.

Inland stuff:
VooDoo Doughnuts, Portland, OR - for a Bacon Maple Bar 
Mt Hood, OR
Sun River, OR
Deschutes Brewery, OR
Crater Lake, OR
Mt St Helens, WA


In Seattle:
Pike Place Market, EMP, Space Needle...probably a dozen microbreweries in Seattle...

[Duanob]

If you can get a reservation at Klaloch Lodge on the washington coast you will never forget it. Absolutely beautiful and park of the National Park.

Port Townsend has a bunch of B&Bs and a really cool historic sea town.

San Juan Islands are always an awesome destination but get a bit crowded in the summer months ( I'm heading there this weekend).

HWY 20 through the North Cascades is on of the not to miss roadways and Mazama/Winthrop/Twisp area pretty cool to see. If you're into fishing bring a flyrod (ask flybox1)

Don't forget about the many many wineries in our state, second only to California in the country but an under the radar secret compared to Napa. The Yakima Canyon scenery is awesome and also, bring a flyrod.

There are many many more but these are the hilights.

[MOtub]

Thanks everyone, excellent suggestions all. We will be taking the Pacific Coast Highway most of the way. Charlie's Place is also on my list if I have time as we make our way thru SF. Flybox, I can tell from your list that we're kindred spirits - some of the places you suggested are places I've been or plan to visit. My first exposure to Deschutes was last year at Fred's Alehouse in Snowhomish. Mmmm, Mirror Pond Ale! And now, we have Deschutes Beer on tap at a local bar right here in Jefferson City, MO. A couple of those wineries will also be sampled. Once we get to Washington we'll be staying on Camano Island for a few days and maybe day-tripping from there.

How about you Californians? Cambria, Monterey, Point Reyes, Eureka? What would you do?

[scottly]

The motorcycle museum in Solvang, the Hitching Post in Casmalia, Port San Luis/Avila Beach.

[754]

 The Canyon in the state park in Big Sur is sorta cool...

[BLUE71TURBO]

 You definitely need to stop in San Simeon and check out the Hearst Castle.  It will blow you away !   There's a great place to eat  called " Sebastian's General Store - Cafe "  Here's some info....... https://plus.google.com/107365161808426430889/about?gl=us&hl=en   

  Here's some info on the Hearst Castle.......http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearst_Castle   

[Stev-o]

+1...Hearst Castle is incredible.

[MOtub]

Many thanks to all of you for your experienced advice. I think we now have more options than we can possibly find time for during the trip. I'll give it a shot though. 

[Stev-o]

When are you going?

Be sure to check back in and let us know how it went.

[MOtub]

Late August. I'll check in when we get back and try to take a few good pix.

[boatsdickson]

Not exactly what your lookin for but you could stop by a dispensary before Cali shuts them all down.....and hit me up when you get back.