suggestions - skip point reyers? any suggestions along the coastline?
Replies: 16 - Last Post: May 22, 2012 5:57 PM Last Post By: yaguri
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suggestions - skip point reyers? any suggestions along the coastline?
Dear all,I need help on itenerary for my September trip.
I have been to point reyers national seashore before and love the coastline and wildness there. However, for this trip, as we will drive California Highway 1, and the US 101 in Oregon part (from north california to Lincoln City section), we should have plenty of coastline to see.
Since our time is kind of limited, should we skip the point reyers and spend more time in Redwood national park? I find there are many interesting places to go besides the big trees.
Also any suggestions (scenic points, good stops for lunch\ dinner and accommodation ) for Oregon coastline?
Thank you in advance!
Jolene
1
Sure, if you are satisfied that you have seen enough, there are many more places to see. Muir Woods, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Bodega Bay, Jenner, Fort Ross, Mendocino, Fort Bragg, The Skunk, Garberville,The Lost Coast, Shelter Cove, Avenue of the Giants, swim in the South Fork of the Eel River, Along the So. Fork of the Eel watch for signs marking the highwater of Christmas floods of 1964. Fortuna, Eureka, The Samoa Cookhouse outside of Eureka, The college town of Arcata with a few nice restaurants around the old square (I like the sushi place). Trinidad, Patricks Point State Park, Fern Canyon, There are big Elk herds visible sometimes in this area, Redwood Natl Park visitors center, The Mystery Spot with a great museum of Indian artifacts, Try some of the salmon jerky sold by indians along the road near the Klamath River. Crescent City has a museum about the tidal wave of 1964, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park on the Smith RIver, great swimming in the river in Sept when it warms up a bit. Great hikes through some huge redwoods here. Gold Beach is a popular place with locals further inland, Jet boat rides on the Rogue River are quite popular, also rafting if you are up for it. I don't know the Oregon coast as well as California, someone else will have to pick it up here. Have Fun!2
I adore Point Reyes so I probably wouldn't skip it, but it really depends on how much time you have. #1 gives you a good list of places to visit along the way. My "must sees" are the redwood state parks in California and the Oregon state parks along the southern coast: Samuel Boardman, Humbug Mountain, and Cape Blanco. I also love the beaches at Bandon. Speaking of Bandon, good places to eat: the Bandon Fish Market (hole in the wall fish and chips place at the harbor - it's the one painted blue), and for an upscale dinner, Alloro (Italian-Oregon fusion). In California, Fort Bragg has lots of good, inexpensive eateries. In particular, Piaci's Pizza for (duh) pizza, Cowlick's for ice cream (try the mushroom flavor!!! really!!!) and North Coast for great beer and pub food.I am intimately familiar with this section of coast so feel free to ask for more recommendations.
3
Hi Jolene ... can I also advise that we found the Redwoods National Park (the proper national park part) was not a real highlight ... and that some of the redwoods state parks were significantly superior tree-wise. We particularly liked the Stout Grove (just outside Crescent City) - in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP - a really good drive and then a modest walk. We also really liked Humboldt Redwoods SP, plus several others near the coast.On our trip from San Francisco to Medford Oregon, we spent three days & two nights - at Fort Bragg and Crescent City - and found the timing about right, although we were very cursory regarding Point Reyes ... if you included good time there, I would add a third night on the Californian coast.
I would also strongly recommend Crater Lake NP in southern Oregon - it's very good.
4
We found Jedediah Smith State Park to have the best redwood hikes as well. The Boy Scout Trail is just fantastic. Even if you just hike part of it, you will see incredible redwood groves.The Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park also has great redwood groves and hiking.
Both of these state parks are easily accessible from Crescent City. Also, much information about the redwoods lumps all these state parks and the national park together as Redwoods State and National Parks.
In Newport, Oregon, if you have any interest in craft beer, you can stay at the Rogue Brewery's "Bed and Beer." It is a very nice furnished apartment (one or two bedrooms) and pretty reasonably priced. Downstairs is the Rogue Pub, which is a lot of fun.
Near Newport is Yaquina Head, a natural area that includes a historic lighthouse (you can tour it), outstanding tidal pools with sea stars, anemones, etc and huge sea bird colonies.
Have fun.
5
I think Pt. Reyes is beautiful too, but you'll have enough coast that you can skip it if you are pressed for time.Stop near Marshall, across Tomales Bay from Pt. Reyes, to eat at Hog Island Oyster Co. or Tomales Bay Oyster Co. You can guess what they serve -- fresh from the water to your picnic table, via a barbecue if you so choose.
6
thank you all for the advice!We have four days to spend along the road from San Francisco to Lincoln City. We will leave at noon from San Francisco.
From above, we would like to make a hike in some state park, visit Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP and /' or Humboldt Redwoods SP, and may be visit lost coast. and then heading to Oregon.
With this time frame, any suggestions where we should stop overnight? and any recommendations for short hiking route (less or around half day trip)?
#5，is the Hog Island Oyster Co in Ferry Building 1, San Francisco?
Thanks!
7
Perhaps your four nights could be Fort Bragg (less than 200 miles from SF), Crescent City, Bandon, Lincoln City - if that's what you mean by four days along the road from SF to Lincoln City OR.8
Ian has good taste in stopovers, but I'd do one night Fort Bragg, two nights Crescent City, one night Bandon, then on to your final destiantion (Portland?).As for oysters on Highway 1, my favorite stop is the Marshall Store, on the west side of Highway 1 just north of the "town" of Marshall. Oysters are $2 a pop but they are phenomenal.
9
We stayed in the Curly Redwood Lodge in Crescent City ... perfectly standard motel, but its claim to fame is that it is entirely made out of the timber of one redwood tree. It's hard to believe it's possible - but there is a plaque there saying so, so it must be true.And I was (am) confused on whether the OP has three nights on the road to Lincoln City, or four nights - but I am sure she shall advise. Certainly go no further than Fort Bragg the first day - especially if you're not leaving SF until noon, and particularly if you go via Muir Woods and then continue along the winding coast road.
10
by four nights i mean the 4th, last night at lincoln city as we will visit a friend there.Your suggestion, head to Fort Bragg all the way by HW1 or US-101 then CA128(which is around 3 hours)?
11
We stayed on Hwy1 the whole way (turning west off US-101 not long after Marin City), then via Muir Woods, and then right along the coast - might add a couple of hours, but certainly well worth it.13
I would skip Highway 1 north of SF - it's nice, but it's better farther north along 101 and farther south around Big Sur. I don't think it's worth the extra time and/or carsickness! When we go up, we do 101 to 128 to 1. I'd also skip Muir Woods because it simply does not compare to the redwood parks up north.For cheap lodging in Fort Bragg, try Colombi Motel or the standard Super 8. Neither is anything special, but they are cheap, clean, and convenient.
Edit - by skipping Hwy 1 north of SF, I mean the section between San Francisco and where it meets 128 - if you're going to Fort Bragg. If not, just stick to the 101 the whole way.
