Hi everybody!
I am from Spain and I am planning my first road trip for next month and I am really lost, I don´t know what to do.
I have 14 days and I want to leave from Seattle, do the Olympic peninsula, drive the Oregon coast and drive part of the California Coast to Yosemite and then come back to Seattle.
I know is too much for only 14 days, but we really want to explore all the nature that the Pacific Northwest coast has to offer. Any recommendations? Where should we stop? Is too much?
Also, our idea is to do camping and not to spent too much money.
I will appreciate any help.
Thanks!
Seattle (Washington) Olympic National Park (Washington) Oregon (OR) California (CA) Yosemite National Park (California) Redwood National Park (California)
A good spot to stop is Newport (Oregon). Two lighthouses in the town plus a very good aquarium. Great food and friendly people.
I agree with previous poster about second beach camping! Don't miss low tide. Also Crescent Lake is a must see. If you can stay at the lodge I highly recommend it. Find the Devil's Punchbowl down the old railroad trail and jump into the crystal clear glacial water! Lake Crescent and Hurricane Ridge are the only things worth seeing in the Port Angeles area unless you take the ferry to Victoria. Ruby Beachwas also a favorite. I could listen to the waves on the colorful rocks all day!
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Definitely camp on Second Beach on the Olympic Peninsula. You have to park your car and hike in with your equipment but it's a short easy walk and it's worth it to camp right on the sand!
14 days is a good enough time.
Seattle to Port Angeles, round the straits , down to Vancouver (Washington) , along the oregon coast , to SFO and cut across to Yosemite National Park, and drive north .
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Wow, what an amazing road trip you are embarking upon. I have lived along the w. coast for most of my life and I spent close to 40 years exploring the itinerary you have listed. Here are a few suggestions on what are a can't miss on route.
1) The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort in Olympic National Forest.
2) The Cascade Head Trail - South Trailhead just n. of Lincoln City A+ Hike with grandiose views.
3) Clam chowder at Moe's in old town Florence (Oregon) Go to the north jetty and south jetty. And Honeymoon State Park 7 miles south on Hwy101. Sand Dunes!!!
4) Humboldt Redwoods State Park
5) walk through
6) The Exploratorium in San Francisco (careful of commuting traffic in the Bay Area. Try late at night.)
At this point I would consider taking I 5 N. back up to Oregon. You can make it to Portland in one long day. (12 hrs) If you go through PDX stay at the McMenamins Six ArmsEdgefield out near the airport. $35 for dorm rooms and it has the most amazing accommodations ever! 3 restaurants / brewery/ movie theatre/ wine bar/ outdoor heated pool and spa (free for guests). Golf course and bands play there on weekends. It is close to I5 to jump back on the Hay to make it to Seattle in 3-4 hours. If you have time though go 30 min. E Hwy 84 (also close to McMinnimins) to Multnomah Falls. Must see : )
Yosemite has got so much traffic this time of year, and huge crowds.
In any event, happy travels.
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Lula
