We are not pushed for time but do have a 38' RV + toad and I'm planning the trip from Seattle down to San Francisco - stopping every 150 miles of so for a 2 day stopover - Long Beach, South Jetty, Redwoods etc.
However looking at the map, the 101 seems to have some significant areas that look like spaghetti.
How bad is the road and is it a sensible idea to take the 101 rather than I5?
RV Park Finder
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2002 Beaver Santiam 38DST + Banks + 99 Jeep GC
DH,DW,Jake and Indie
101 is fine for your rig, actually, anything on the road can handle it. When you get to SF, after you cross over the GGB, take a right turn on the Hwy1 exit and follow Presidio Blvd through Golden Gate Park. It then becomes 19th Ave, follow that to 280 and take that all the way to San Jose where it will hook up with 101 again. This will save you a lot of grief of having to negotiate traffic in downtown SF and the Peninsula where it is heavy all day long. Going through Santa Rosa, which is North of SF and Marin County, traffic can be heavy at times, so try to time it to miss commute hours. Other than that, just enjoy the ride which is a whole lot nicer than I-5.
2006 Chevy HD LBZ Duramax/Allison
2006 Holiday Rambler Savoy 30sks
Hwy 101 from Seattle South to the border is kind of boring. There are very few ocean views. I would suggest I5 South to Longview, then cross the bridge and take Hwy30 to Astoria. Then pick up Hwy101 South the rest of the trip. Fort Stevens is a nice first night stop. Then Beverley beach state park, Winchester bay RV park, Humbug Mt state park, Brookings Harbor RV park, are all nice places to stop for the night.Near Humbug mountain state park is Arizona beach RV park. They offer a few sites right on the beach. But they were for sale and I don't know if they are still in operation or not. That will get you through Oregun. But be aware that during the summer most of the RV parks will be sold out long ago along the coast, so be prepared to move on if you can't find a spot.
donn0128 wrote: But be aware that during the summer most of the RV parks will be sold out long ago along the coast, so be prepared to move on if you can't find a spot.
We kinda expected that but I just contacted 2 to make reservations over the weekend and got a 'Come on in, we have plenty of room' - I guess the fuel prices are keeping them away.
Do what Donn said but before going across the bridge to Astoria go west to Ilwaco and vist Fort Canby, the Cape Disappointment Light House, and the Coast Guard Station. The view from the light house of the Graveyard of the Pacific is worth the visit.
If you have the time drive a mile or so north to Seaview and have dinner at the 42nd Street Cafe, reservations suggested.
Fort Clatsop at the Lewis & Clark NP near Astoria is worth a visit for a bit of history.
Outlet stores and aquarum in Seaside, also Lewis & Clark salt works. Nice oceanside board walk.
Next stop at Cannon Beach, nice RV park on the east side of 101.
Visit the Tillamook cheese factory on the north side of Tillamook, and if you have the time and a toad take a day trip out to Cape Mears and Cape Lookout.
Spend a few hours in Depoe Bay, watch the boats coming thru the surf to the narrow entrance to the bay.
Explore the waterfront at Newport. Outdooor Resorts has a premier RV resort north of town, the ocean views are the price of admission.
Sand Dunes near Reedsport.
Jet boat rides up the Rogue River at Gold Beach.
The above are just the highligths of the Oregon coast, I left out a ton of nice places to visit, but you can leave some of them for your next trip. The OR coast on 101 is 425 miles long but you could spend a week and not scratch the surface of places to see and things to do; drive slow, stop at every opportunity, and enjoy.
We've driven the coast from Astoria to SF a couple of times in the summer, and never had a problem finding an RV site. We usually call ahead in the morning and make a reservation, but have never found a site full.
The Oregon coast is a beautiful drive. There are lots of places to pull off and enjoy the area.
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Lady Annabelle von Lichenstein-Friese III.
I also agree about starting 101 at Astoria following the route given. Oregon 101 is beautiful and you will be able to see lots especially heading south. AM fog can sometimes hide the coast but as far as driving, most of the drive is easy and the rest very doable, just curvy and hilly in limited spots. You will be driving slower speeds so plan accordingly, especially is summertime. Summertime reservations along the coast will also be needed in many areas. ENJOY!
Litch wrote: 101 is fine for your rig, actually, anything on the road can handle it. When you get to SF, after you cross over the GGB, take a right turn on the Hwy1 exit and follow Presidio Blvd through Golden Gate Park. It then becomes 19th Ave, follow that to 280 and take that all the way to San Jose where it will hook up with 101 again. This will save you a lot of grief of having to negotiate traffic in downtown SF and the Peninsula where it is heavy all day long. Going through Santa Rosa, which is North of SF and Marin County, traffic can be heavy at times, so try to time it to miss commute hours. Other than that, just enjoy the ride which is a whole lot nicer than I-5.
Listen to this one. We did this last year and even got on 405 to 15 to San Diego. I wouldn't give ya 2 cents for the LA traffic but it's ok if you take your time.
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