San Francisco to Vancouver - Driving Tour
Dec 12, 2014 05:42:25 #
We're planning a driving trip next year, probably about September, from San Francisco to Vancouver. We've got about sixteen days to play with. I live in the UK but have driven in the USA before so I'm happy about that.
What I'm looking for is good points to stop off, maybe spend a day or two, where I can get some good photography in along the route.
I'm not so familiar with the West Coast, I have stayed in Los Angeles and San Francisco before, so I'm hoping fellow hoggers can maybe recommend some great places to go to.
Previously when I've driven in the USA, touring around, we've just found a motel we liked and booked in. Will I be able to do that on the west Coast?
Any info greatly appreciated.
Mike
What I'm looking for is good points to stop off, maybe spend a day or two, where I can get some good photography in along the route.
I'm not so familiar with the West Coast, I have stayed in Los Angeles and San Francisco before, so I'm hoping fellow hoggers can maybe recommend some great places to go to.
Previously when I've driven in the USA, touring around, we've just found a motel we liked and booked in. Will I be able to do that on the west Coast?
Any info greatly appreciated.
Mike
Dec 12, 2014 06:29:12 #
Dec 12, 2014 06:49:26 #
Some goregeous wine country you'll be passing through. I took a private wine tour though Mondavi's vineyard back in 2000, it was pretty cool....so if you decide to go through somewhere like Napa, it's worth a stop a one of the many gorgeous vineyards.
Dec 12, 2014 07:09:54 #
Wonderful Drive! Bodega Bay Lodge and spa is fantastic. They have some good discount deals. Fireplaces in the rooms are cozy. Don't miss St. Teresa of Avila church in nearby Bodega. Great morning or late afternoon photo opportunity. Ansel Adams thought so too. "The Birds" schoolhouse is nearby and very photogenic but the private owners who have turned it into their home don't like the photo attention, even if you take your photos from afar on the road in front.
Dec 12, 2014 07:11:44 #
Wonderful Drive! Bodega Bay Lodge and spa is fantastic. They have some good discount deals. Fireplaces in the rooms are cozy. Don't miss St. Teresa of Avila church in nearby Bodega. Great morning or late afternoon photo opportunity. Ansel Adams thought so too. "The Birds" schoolhouse is nearby and very photogenic but the private owners who have turned it into their home don't like the photo attention, even if you take your photos from afar on the road in front.
Dec 12, 2014 08:40:26 #
Dec 12, 2014 11:29:32 #
Hi Mike, I've driven the coast a few times from SF all the way to the Oregon border. It's quite picturesque with lots of photo ops and a fun drive. However, I say this as delicately as I can, once you are above Mendicino, things get pretty rural pretty quick. There were many places that were closed and the area has become somewhat economically challenged.
I saw the post about staying off HW 5. Once you get above Mendocino, I would actually recommend heading over that way (east) as there are many things to see off HW5. Mt. Shasta, Burney Falls are great and Mt. Lassen National Park is a very interesting National Park all off of HW 5 with a little drive. Also, once in Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is worth a visit too.
Things start to cool off a bit weather wise in September, but will still be warm during the day. Kids are back in school and it's a great time of year to travel. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.
Chris
I saw the post about staying off HW 5. Once you get above Mendocino, I would actually recommend heading over that way (east) as there are many things to see off HW5. Mt. Shasta, Burney Falls are great and Mt. Lassen National Park is a very interesting National Park all off of HW 5 with a little drive. Also, once in Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is worth a visit too.
Things start to cool off a bit weather wise in September, but will still be warm during the day. Kids are back in school and it's a great time of year to travel. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.
Chris
Mike Hardisty wrote:
We're planning a driving trip next year, probably ... (show quote)
Dec 12, 2014 13:17:44 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
Some goregeous wine country you'll be passing through. I took a private wine tour though Mondavi's vineyard back in 2000, it was pretty cool....so if you decide to go through somewhere like Napa, it's worth a stop a one of the many gorgeous vineyards.
We did that in Australia, visited a couple of vineyards, had an amazing lunch made from produce grown or reared on the vineyard and surrounding farms.
Dec 12, 2014 13:24:00 #
Chris F. wrote:
Hi Mike, I've driven the coast a few times from SF... (show quote)
Good to know about the weather. I hadn't considered that it might get a little cooler.
Dec 12, 2014 13:27:11 #
mutrock wrote:
Wonderful Drive! Bodega Bay Lodge and spa is fantastic. They have some good discount deals. Fireplaces in the rooms are cozy. Don't miss St. Teresa of Avila church in nearby Bodega. Great morning or late afternoon photo opportunity. Ansel Adams thought so too. "The Birds" schoolhouse is nearby and very photogenic but the private owners who have turned it into their home don't like the photo attention, even if you take your photos from afar on the road in front.
Sounds interesting. I like the idea of a fireplace in the room
Dec 12, 2014 13:33:21 #
Mike, an early welcome to our Golden State.
Yes, you should be able to just find motels just about anywhere along the way. It's the only way I travel.
What kinds of stuff do you like to shoot?
There is a lot to shoot in SF alone.
Of course the redwoods are a must see, but they are hard to shoot.
All of Highway 1 is a great drive.
Are you just driving one way?
You could also make things VERY interesting, by driving driving toward Lake Tahoe and then heading north without ever even touching the coast or Hwy 5.
Live on the edge Mike! :lol:
SS
Yes, you should be able to just find motels just about anywhere along the way. It's the only way I travel.
What kinds of stuff do you like to shoot?
There is a lot to shoot in SF alone.
Of course the redwoods are a must see, but they are hard to shoot.
All of Highway 1 is a great drive.
Are you just driving one way?
You could also make things VERY interesting, by driving driving toward Lake Tahoe and then heading north without ever even touching the coast or Hwy 5.
Live on the edge Mike! :lol:
SS
Dec 13, 2014 02:20:33 #
SharpShooter wrote:
You could also make things VERY interesting, by driving driving toward Lake Tahoe and then heading north without ever even touching the coast or Hwy 5.
Live on the edge Mike! :lol:
SS
Live on the edge Mike! :lol:
SS
SS, the only problem with that is that, when he gets to Lake Tahoe, he might not want to leave.
Dec 13, 2014 02:28:16 #
Mogul wrote:
SS, the only problem with that is that, when he gets to Lake Tahoe, he might not want to leave.
Last time I was in Vancouver BC, wasn't much there. Heck, even Reno has got to be better!! :lol:
Watch, all the Vancouverites are gonna jump me!!
SS
Dec 13, 2014 03:47:32 #
SharpShooter wrote:
Last time I was in Vancouver BC, wasn't much there. Heck, even Reno has got to be better!! :lol:
Watch, all the Vancouverites are gonna jump me!!
SS
Watch, all the Vancouverites are gonna jump me!!
SS
Yeah, both of them. I can't imagine a drive from Tahoe north unless it includes Lassen, but I would like the trip to Tahoe, Reno, Susanville, Burney and then 299 across to 101 at McKinleyville; some bold folks have even tried the county roads from Mt. Shasta to Orleans and Klamath (just don't forget a tracking device). Sort of a half-and-half trip.
Dec 13, 2014 05:59:58 #
Canon Beach, Oregon. Hatstack Rock is a feature seen in many photographs, but it's a beautiful beach on the Pacific Ocean.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.