Ive had much luck with feedback here so will try again this year. The boys and I are heading West this year on our annual run and looking to you all for some solid advice on things to do, see, eat etc... Ive attached a general map of the area that we will be covering. If you know a mom and pop joint with the best burger or coldest beer, Id like to know about it. If you think something is over-hyped and its not worth the time to get to it, Id like to know about that too!
Also, if anyone knows how long it takes to get through Yosemite Park that would be great. I was thinking of taking the fella's through a National Park vs Sacramento leaving San Francisco. We would travel through on 120, but would most likely take a side trip into Yosemite Valley to see the well known sites in the park.
Looks like a nice ride. Consider taking either 50 or 6 across Nevada. As for how long it takes to "do" Yosemite, you can spend a life time there. From the time you enter Yosemite on Route 120/Tioga Pass, it is about 2-3 hours to the valley. You'll want to stop at Olmstead Point and maybe in Tuolumne Meadows. And spend some time in the Valley eating and taking in the scenery. If you want to spend more time in Yosemite, consider going up to Glacier Point. Also, what questions do you have about the San Francisco Bay Area.
Do you know what we would be looking at for time to get from Crescent City to San Fran, if we took the 1 along the coast. Would we save much more time traveling the 101 instead? Should I start or finish on the 1, mixing it up to see both and make time?
CC to SF can take about 8 hours this time of year. The two lane sections can be slow due to tourists and Prius drivers, also watch for CalTrans, they have a few ongoing projects. US 1 is two lane, can be narrow and tight in places, you won't be going fast.
Do you know what we would be looking at for time to get from Crescent City to San Fran, if we took the 1 along the coast. Would we save much more time traveling the 101 instead? Should I start or finish on the 1, mixing it up to see both and make time?
Originally Posted by Randy Mac
CC to SF can take about 8 hours this time of year. The two lane sections can be slow due to tourists and Prius drivers, also watch for CalTrans, they have a few ongoing projects. US 1 is two lane, can be narrow and tight in places, you won't be going fast.
That is about right if you do mostly 101. Route 1 can add a lot of time to your ride, but it is beautiful. There are many places where you can leave 101 and pick up 1, so you don't have to do the coast all the way.
AJ, I am in Crescent City as I post this. I have been running down from Port Angeles for three days now, and continue onto San Fran, then south a bit, then over to Yosemite. The ride is on the fourth line of my signature, The Journeys of Darla.
One route suggestion. When you get to Vancouver Wash, head out to the coast on the North side of the Columbia River, then cross the Astoria Bridge and continue on 101 south. Driving around the Olympic Penninsula is pretty cool, but you spend almost all the time riding in the rain forest, and only a tiny bit on the ocean.
Like others have said, Hwy 1 will add alot of time to your trip and there are parts of it just North of Fort Bragg that are dirt and some others that are pretty beat up and slow going.
Food recommendation...........Eal River Brewery in Fortuna is excellent and they have an outdoor area to eat/drink and play horseshoes if your into that.
I did Leggit to Fort Brag today. I left at 9 and got here at 5, but I took some side routes and stopped for lunch and coffee, and a bunch of pictures, which will be available on "Journeys of Darla" in a bit.
There is lots of construction, a few short sections of gravel, but mostly it was a very nice ride. I stopped at a campsite and they wanted $41. I got a room in Fort Brag for $50.
The piece of road from Leggit to the ocean is spectacular!
...and there not giving you much wiggle room, either.
06-12-2016, 08:24 AM
West Coast Trip
