balfre1946
travelling
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We are in a 36ft Class A RV with Porsche in tow and will be traveling from L.A. to Vancouver...taking 3 months or so to travel. I am interested what routes to take and what routes to avoid...we have never traveled the west coast before. I am told there are sections of 1 and 101 that are fine and sections that really are not pleasant driving for a big rig. Like to see the ocean but driving on a winding road on the edge of a cliff for hours just to do it is not our idea of fun LOL! Really looking forward to hearing from you all.Also welcome favorite V parks, sights, places en route.
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zmotorsports
Utah
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The only section that I can comment on is from Coos Bay, Oregon to Astoria, WA. Good road and nothing out of the ordinary as far as anything to aviod. Absolutely beautiful views and scenery. My only complaint is that I did not have enough time to spend there, not enough vacation time.
We really liked the Waldport area as there was a lot to see and do there. We spent two days there and could have spend another two or three easy.
Mike.
2003 Monaco Dynasty/ 26' Haulmark Edge trailer
2011 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon
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dalmationlovers
Port Orchard, WA
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From Astoria to the Olympic Pennsula is good road. Great views and some nice places to stay. If you have the time go all the way to Port Angeles and then down over the Hood Canal Floating bridge to Tacoma. From there take I5 north to Vancouver, Canada. (Unless you mean Vancouver, WA) then take Hwy 26 from Astoria to Portland, OR to Vancouver. If you have time go up the Washington coast. No problems.
Happy Trails
Arnold
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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What is your route after Vancouver?
I ask simply because to see the coast you really need to travel north to south. That way the ocean views are all on the right side, all of the rest areas and pull outs are on the right side. Meaning you do not have to cross highway traffic every time you want to stop. Generally speaking US101 is a good road. It is well traveled especially during the summer months. There are times where you will encounter bad sections. Remember it is built along a mainly rocky shore with lots of mountains. This is NOT like Florida or the gulf coast. This is rugged terrain. There is no where except parts of CA HW1 where you will have problems. A lot of US101 is several miles inland from the ocean so views can sometimes be forests. Other times you will be driving on a high cliff right above the ocean. There are lots of head lands that you will climb over and many many small towns you will crawl through at 25MPH. Do not expect to be in a hurry.
As for camping/parking places? Many opportunities. Both private, state and NF campgrounds. If you are planning to travel during the peak tourist season (June to October)you really should get reservations. Parks often are full by 2PM. Do not expect to camp at WalMart as most towns do not allow it along the coast. In Oregon at least, coming from thr south first stop should be Brookings Harbor RV park. Sort of a parking lot, but the views cannot be beat. Next I would recommend Winchester Bay/Salmon Harbor RV park. Big rig friendly and definitely one of the nicest public parks in Oregon. Sea and Sand is another nice older park with fantastic views right on the ocean. Ft Stevens State Park is a do not miss. on the north coast. As is any of the Oregon State Parks. And there are a lot of them on the coast. But being older, you might want to do some research first if you want to stay in them. Many are not big rig friendly, or only have one or two sites for big rigs.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
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deandec
Northern CA
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In my experience with a 38' plus Jeep GC,
Hwy 1 from Monterey, Ca to Pacifica, Ca is ok but some twisty turning roadway.
Hwy 101 from Los Angeles to Tillamook is good.
You can drive to Ft Bragg, Ca from 101and do a bit of Hwy 1 south and north, but it is more of a destination thing than a passing through option.
Dean
95 CC Magna, Jeep GC
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Diplomat Don
Moorpark, Ca
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You'll love the drive on Hwy 101. There is an area south of San Francisco, a stretch of Hwy 1, that you'll want to steer clear of. If you plan on spending some time in San Francisco, there are a couple of parks at the north end. Stay there and use your toad to see San Francisco. If you want to see Alcatraz, book in advance, you can't get same day tours in the summer.
We live in Southern California and go into Oregon and Washington about every three years because you just never get tired of how beautiful it is. Visit the Redwoods and again, stay outside of the park and drive the toad.
There are nice campgrounds all the way to Astoria. The various lighthouses are fun to see. Make sure you try the seafood along the way, especially in Astoria. In the middle of town is an old bow picker boat parked in a dirt lot. It's been dry docked there for years. They sell fish and chips there during the day. Some of the best you'll ever eat.
Don & Mary 
2005 Monaco Diplomat 36SKT
400 Cummins 
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Here'n'There
Texas
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Clicked on Class A Forum by mistake but noticed this post - FYI, I drove it in my 5er total length from Truck front bumper to trailer rear bumper = 54'
I have read responses for 101 between Coos Bay and Astoria OR, and from Astoria to the Olympic Peninsula.
I can add my impressions of the 101 from Crescent City CA to Coos Bay. Absolutely beautiful ride, fantastic views, lots of pull overs. No "hours on end" on cliffy roads - some but pretty easy going - and for the most part, nice roads. Only one really curvey section about 3 miles long going through Humbug State Forest. But no big deal, just slow down to speed limit.
DON'T MISS that drive in favor of I-5! We're be right in your side view mirrors in about one month.
If ready for an overnight stay when passing through Bandon, OR, I recommend the "Bandon by the Sea" RV Park. NOT the park you'll see downtown. By the Sea is a few miles North of downtown. Say Hi to Rose for us.
Here'n'There
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downtheroad
Pacific Northwest
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101 end to end is a complete GO
Hwy 1 north of San Francisco... (eek)
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More To See
San Diego Area
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I'll toss out Gold Beach on the Rogue River as a great place to stop for a day or two. You can take a Jet Boat up the river for a day's excursion. They stop for lunch at a river side lodge. These jet boats use twin V8's to power their thrusters since props won't work climbing up rapids and shallow water in places. We used to stay at Four Seasons campground but it's been a number of years since doing the Oregon coast so there may be some other / better places to stay these days. There are so many GREAT places along the coast that I almost hesitated to mention Gold Beach as just one of them. We just always liked it as a stop over not that's it is any better than all the other places. You are in for a treat.
95 Winnebago Vectra 34 (P30/454)
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Dale.Traveling
Newport News, VA
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Being in a 36' you should be OK but either way Go Here for RV lenght restrictions on specific California roads.
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