Advice for Highway 101 Seattle to San Diego

[Welsh1ca]

This coming September I have wangled a month off work, and negotiated spousal support, for a ride down the West Coast. I am in Northern Alberta in Canada and had planned the ride to start at the northern tip of Washington. I have been to the top of 101 in Canada so part of the goal is to ride the whole thing. Since this is probably a once in a lifetime trip for me, and since I have a fair bit of time I wondered if anyone could give me advice on things I might want to take in along the way. For instance friends have said not to miss Crater Lake! Any spectacular curvy roads I shouldn't miss...that kind of thing. I will be taking camping gear although on last years trip it never came off the bike, because I could never find a campground that wasn't reserved in advance. So any advice on accommodations would be welcome as well. In terms of motels I am not a top the the line kind of guy...more...clean and comfortable...no frills.

Thanks in advance

Bruce.

 

[MCMXCIVRS]

I've ridden the 101 a couple times as far as San Francisco, most recently last year. If you are starting on it in Washington, take a run up Hurricane Ridge from Port Angeles. A side trip off the coast in lower Washington state would be Mt. St. Helens. The Oregon coast is spectacular with many places to see and do things. We had little difficulty finding available camping last September. Crater lake was unfortunately socked in with fog and snow, so we missed that and will be going again someday to see it for sure.

Into California, the Avenue of the Giants is worth getting off the 101, it winds along on the same path but is more interesting. Once past that area, forget the 101 as it turns into almost an interstate highway and venture onto highway 1 which returns to and follows the coast.

Enjoy that ride, it is spectacular.

 

[cabnfvr]

Many moons ago we stayed at the Bay Center KOA in Bay Center WA (off 101, click here for map). That afternoon we walked up the seaside to Dock of the Bay Restaurant. To this day I regret not buying one of their t shirts, "If you want a better piece of chicken you'd have to be a rooster."

 

[lee]

Into California, the Avenue of the Giants is worth getting off the 101,

.

+1 on Avenue of the Giants through Humboldt State Park. The road through the park is 254.
https://www.visitredwoods.com/listing/tour-the-avenue-of-the-giants/486/


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[flymymbz]

We rode down from central WA to Cambria a couple years ago. Coast road was great, and late in the season you'll not have the RV traffic that you would in the summer, but you may get a lot of coastal fog that will impede the million mile ocean view.

One of the roads that I loved and can't wait to do again was just south of San Francisco. Highway 35, aka Skyline Dr, between Hwy 92 (Half Moon Bay) and Hwy 17 (Santa Cruz) was freaking awesome. No ocean view, but hardly any traffic and lots and lots of curvy roads. Much better than the coast stretch (which I've done in a car countless times).

have fun!!!

 

[lee]

Take one of the tours of Hearst Castle.
http://hearstcastle.org/

Don't forget to check on the Hwy 1 road closures.