new thread
Hey all,
Going to drive the coast from LA to Seattle area, and Islands this summer for a big family get together in San juan Islands.
Any suggestions on cool places to go, see along the way or in Seattle. Please let me know, never been up this way before.
Tom
no suggestions for cool places...
but the whole trip sounds cool
Tom, I would DEFINITELY recommend going up 101 in Oregon... Lots of nice scenery in that area... If you want to send me an email, I have some other places of interest... Just don't feel very long-winded right now...
-J
Unfortunately, 101 follows the coast line, but not usually close enough to see the Ocean. But you will have short glimpses here and there, mostly in OR. From about mid-way up the OR. coast there is a breathtaking view from atop "Cape Perpetua." (On a clear enough day you will actually be able to look back at CA. Almost 500 miles away!) 1-2 hours North will land you in Newport. The "Seaquarium" being the main attraction there and visited by people all over the world. Further up be on the look-out for "Cape Foulweather" between Newport and Lincoln City. Then the gorgeous Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park, Seaside, and finally Astoria where you might want to find the hugh Column built in the 20's and climb the 100+ stairs to the top for a 360 degree view which is quite unforgetable. From there take the bridge over the Columbia River and you are now in WA. State. It is a little off the main road, but "Longbeach," the longest beach in the world might be worth seeing. After that I don't remember anything all that great except for the "Rain Forest" at the top of WA State........saddly hacked to bits now by greed. Port Townsend is a must........and it is from there that you will be able to take the magnificent Coastal Ferries to the beautiful San Juan Islands. Some are part of the US, and some part of Canada. You might even want to consider crossing into Canada to visit Victoria while at it. Anyway, guess I better bring the subject of "hair" into all of this. You are bound to see some "Longhairs" and those in the "Awkward Stage" throughout the whole trip. :-) Enjoy!
ps: There are so many "out-of-the-way-" things to see that only a native from OR. would know about such as a 700 year old tree....largest S. Spruce known. (Near Cannon Beach on the Sunset Highway about 2 miles towards Portland off of 101.) The Historic Peter Iredale Shipwreck in an area just before Astoria where 2 WWll bombs actually reached the US mainland. (But we didn't "burn down" as the enemy had hoped because of too much rain.) Tillimook has a wonderful Cheese and Dairy factory which is right on 101. Also Haystack Rock in the waters off Cannon Beach. The scenery is about the most breathtaking you will ever encounter. (Oh yes......got to get "hair" mixed-in with all of this again.) Rumer has it that there are a bunch of "Longhairs" in Astoria. :-) And one last thing. If you enjoy being "Spooked-out," Perhaps look-up "Ripleys Believe it or Not" in Newport Bay. And with luck, you may witness the "Spouting Horns" at Depoe Bay. Have fun and L@@K! See the LAST BLIMP HANGER left in a hugh building where Blimps were once made. This is about 15 miles before reaching Tillimook and will be to your right off of 101.
The drive along the coast between Florence, Oregon and Cape Perpetua is especially beautiful.
longhair511
Oh, and, don't forget a stop @ the Bandon Cheese Factory... There's also a place that has excellent fruit jams. It's called Misty Meadows, and is about 5-10 miles south of Bandon, OR, on the east side of Hwy 101.
-J
Hi, Thanks for all the advice. I can't wait, it will be very cool.
Any good towns/ restaurants to stop at along the way for the night, or to eat?
Can't wait to take the t-tops out and just cruise.
In Yachats, OR, there's a good restaurant with very good fish & chips... Probably a good town to stop in overnight would either be Florence (about 20 mi south of Yachats), or Newport (20-30 mi north). Yachats does have some accomodations, but, they're usually pretty full. There was a really nice restaurant in Tillamook, but, I'm not sure if it still is around, since, we stopped there back in '87.
I know that feeling... I really enjoy the sunroof in my Volvo...
Oh, btw, when you're in the Seattle area, shoot me an email. Maybe we can get together and chat for a bit...
-J
My wife and I have been to Seattle only once and we did make it to the Space Needle which was very neat.
We did see the Kingdome when it was still there but their new stadium looks very neat too.
We were pressed for time and money so that was about all we did there. I would love to go back and check out all the other things to see.
My wife would love to see the zoo and aquarium and I wouldn't mind going over the floating bridge and going up into some of the skyscrapers they have.
I hope you have a fun and great trip :)