looking for suggestions for trip thru N California into Oregon

[happycamperbrat]

It looks like things are coming together for my kids and I to go to the bus rally in Oregon next week  But I really need suggestions. The kids are into the computer and TV, my bus is still in the destruction stage so tv and pc are out. We will have a laptop for picking up wifi and cell phone for emergencies and stuff, but pretty much we will have no comforts of home on this trip. I'd like suggestions of good roads for the bus to be on and roads/constuction (especially concrete dividers) to avoid. Are there any "must dos" or "must sees" on the trip? I think we will mostly be on Hwy 99 which is real hot this time of year and for the most part a very boring drive, but I think it will be more bus friendly driving then going thru the San Fransisco or San Jose area. We will be taking our time on this trip and turning a 20 hour drive into 2 or 3 days, so we are all into seeing and doing stuff along the way

[TomC]

Where's you starting point?  TomC

[happycamperbrat]

It will be in Pismo Beach area. But Im kinda thinking about renting a motorhome for the trip instead.......

[Sean]

If it were me, I would take 101 the whole way.  It's a lot cooler than 99, much more scenic, and, for us anyway, a more relaxed drive.

Going through SF to the GG bridge is a slog, but you can avoid most of the hassle by taking 280 from San Jose up the peninsula; then it's a straight shot to the bridge.  That's also the free direction.

We've done this trip dozens of times in all sorts of vehicles, and at least three or four in the bus.  Lot's of suggestions for places to stay in our blog.

Several good places to cut over to the Willamette Valley from the coast in Oregon, and we've done most.  Again, check the blog for routes and stops.  Last pass, we cut over through Cave Junction and finally did Oregon Caves.

If you must do the central valley, then, to be honest, you are better off on 5 than 99, IMO.  Here again, several free, nice, or both, stops on the blog.

We've made the trip from Northern California to central Oregon at least two dozen times, and have gone every conceivable way, so give me a shout for specifics on any of them.  Of all the routes, though, we like the coast the best.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[happycamperbrat]

I will check out the blog thanks! I do agree about 101, but I just wasnt looking forward to the traffic thru San Fran area....... but maybe it isnt so bad?

[happycamperbrat]

do you recommend driving down Van Ness and cut across to 101 or go across on 80? I would think that trying to manuever any of the streets in San Fransisco would be a nightmare...... lol

[Dreamscape]

If you take 101 into Oregon, you have a very scenic drive. Lots to see and do from Bandon, Florence (huge sand dunes), Newport (wharf, whale watching, aquarium) up to Lincoln City (Mo's, good seafood on the wharf). Then take 18/22 all the way to Rickreall, Busn' USA. Take this from a native Oregonian, you will like the trip. You may never want to go home! You can do Google Earth and take a virtual trip.

It only adds some time to your trip, but the memories created can never be forgotten.

See ya at Busn' USA!

[grantgoold]

I would suggest a drive through the Napa Valley as well as catching the giant redwoods. Kids will love the ocean anywhere north of SF.

Grant

[Sean]

... I just wasnt looking forward to the traffic thru San Fran area....... but maybe it isnt so bad?

If you hit the outskirts of San Jose, from say Gilroy, in the early morning, you will have heavy commute traffic on 101.  However any time after mid-morning you will be against the traffic.

North of Morgan Hill, exit 101 onto 85, which will bypass most of San Jose (and its traffic) and take you to 280 west of town.  85 will start getting busy around 3ish, but that's also when the carpool lane will be in effect.  That said, you don't want to hit the northbound commute over the bridge, so you  will want to be through SF before 3; I would shoot for hitting SF at 2-ish which would mean San Jose 1-ish and Gilroy noonish.

do you recommend driving down Van Ness and cut across to 101 or go across on 80? I would think that trying to manuever any of the streets in San Fransisco would be a nightmare...

From 101 north in south San Jose take 85 north to 280 north.  280 will bypass most of suburban, crowded Silicon Valley and take you through beautiful rolling hills past Crystal Springs reservoir and San Andreas Lake (yes, the fault lies right beneath it).  It is designated a scenic drive.

280 will deposit you in SF due south of the GG bridge.  Just north of Daly City, follow the signs for CA-1 North, Golden Gate -- do not continue on I-280 to "Bay Bridge."  CA-1 through the city is a mostly straight route, and it is a divided road, three lanes in each direction.  It is a city street, though, with stoplights, hills, and one chicane through Golden Gate Park.  The chicane has narrow lanes; just take it slow.

CA-1 will take you all the way to the bridge.  There are really no "turns" -- the main traffic pattern follows the CA-1 route, but at various times the route follows Junipero Serra Blvd., 19th Ave., and Park Presidio Blvd. on its way to the bridge.

Immediately after crossing the bridge, be in the right lane, and there will be a turn for the bridge overlook parking (on the Marin side).  The parking is negotiable in a bus, and there is often room to park.  From the overlook it is possible to walk back across the bridge on the pedestrian sidewalk, which is on the bay side of the bridge (the sidewalk on the ocean side is reserved for bicyclists).  That's a fun thing to do, especially on a nice day (it is often foggy and chilly on the bridge).

That is my recommended route, not 101 to and through the city, which involves lots more driving on city streets and much more traffic.  Once you are on the GG bridge, you are back on 101.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[Sean]

I would suggest a drive through the Napa Valley

The problem with the Napa Valley is that it is not very kid-friendly.  Mostly the activity is winery tours, and some of the process and the caves are interesting to tour.  But every tour ends in the tasting room, which is a decidedly adult activity.  Also not one in which I would engage while driving a coach.  JMO and FWIW.

That said, if you want to do Napa, ignore my previous directions.  Instead, from 101 north in Gilroy, continue to San Jose to the 101/280/680 junction, and take 680 north up the east bay.  This will be more of a slog, and you will miss the Golden Gate (and SF).  After crossing the Suisun Bay on the Benicia bay bridge, take 780 to Vallejo (home of Marine World), then follow the signs to Napa and CA-29.  CA-29 will take you up through the entire Napa Valley wine region to Calistoga, home of the mineral hot springs.  There you will turn off onto CA-128 which is a beautiful drive back over to 101 near Geyserville.

This route is somewhat longer and slower than 101/85/280/1/GGB.  If you go, there is a nice campground at Bothe Napa Valley State Park, in St. Helena (and the second "e" in that name is long).

as well as catching the giant redwoods.

Sorry, but you will not see giant redwoods (Sequoia Gigantea) anywhere on these routes, as these trees only grow inland, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.  However, you will see the other redwood, the coast redwood (Sequoia Sempervirens), which grows only along the coast.  Both species are enormous; the giant redwood is shorter and fatter, the coastal redwood is taller and skinnier.  Coast redwoods are the tallest living things in the world.

You will not need to go out of your way to see these (such as a detour to Muir woods), because you will drive right through the biggest concentration of them if you stay on 101 north through California and into Oregon.  You will drive right through both Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and Redwood National Park, both much more spectacular than Muir Woods, and worthy of stops.  There are campgrounds and we have successfully stayed there in the bus, again check the blog.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[happycamperbrat]

I would really like to take my kids to the Winchester House (though my son is on crutches and switches back and forth to a wheelchair. He can climb short stairs with ease by "hobbling" up them) I havent ever been their but it seems like something they would enjoy........ if I can get by the stair thing.

Napa Valley IS beautiful!! But for various reasons, after more consideration, I think I am going to go the San Jose route that Sean is suggesting Maybe we will find a spot to pull over, like at the airport, and get on a transit or trolley and go eat in San Fransisco. I did promise my kids a few years ago we would return to San Fransisco sometime for dinner or something.

Thank you for the detailed plan Sean! That is just what kind of info I was looking for, ie. what time to hit what hgwys. That is exactly what I want (to miss the traffic and congestion) and to have good roads for the bus. There is only one part of the trip that concerns me:"CA-1 through the city is a mostly straight route, and it is a divided road, three lanes in each direction.  It is a city street, though, with stoplights, hills, and one chicane through Golden Gate Park.  The chicane has narrow lanes; just take it slow."

What is a "chicane"? And is there any other way? Additionally is the highways going thru Oregon on the route you suggested narrow or winding?

[BG6]

It will be in Pismo Beach area. But Im kinda thinking about renting a motorhome for the trip instead.......

If you're thinking about renting a motorhome, then think about renting a MOTEL ROOM.  It will probably be cheaper, and you won't have to drive it there and back!

It will also make it a lot easier to do some sightseeing, especially in San Francisco.

[Sean]

I would really like to take my kids to the Winchester House (though my son is on crutches and switches back and forth to a wheelchair. He can climb short stairs with ease by "hobbling" up them) I havent ever been their but it seems like something they would enjoy........ if I can get by the stair thing.

Much of the Winchester house is "accessible."  Interesting tour, and a good friend of mine was a docent there for many years.

.. like at the airport, and get on a transit or trolley and go eat in San Fransisco. I did promise my kids a few years ago we would return to San Fransisco sometime for dinner or something.

The airport is not particularly bus-friendly or even convenient transit access to SF (it's a long way from the city).

Better to stop in San Jose or nearby and take the CalTrain.  BART also goes through Daly City, which is close to the route I gave you; I would have to think about where you could park to board.

There is only one part of the trip that concerns me:"CA-1 through the city is a mostly straight route, and it is a divided road, three lanes in each direction.  It is a city street, though, with stoplights, hills, and one chicane through Golden Gate Park.  The chicane has narrow lanes; just take it slow."

What is a "chicane"? And is there any other way? Additionally is the highways going thru Oregon on the route you suggested narrow or winding?

A "chicane" is an S-curve.  Going north through the park there is a place where the road curves to the right, then back to the left.  The curves are not as tight as making a turn at an intersection, but not as gentle as a freeway.

101 up the coast is somewhat narrow and winding in some places.  Bear in mind that 45' tour buses do it all the time; it's not a difficult drive at all.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[happycamperbrat]

My bus is "very" slow on mountainous terrain, which can actually be a good thing but oftentimes is a problem where I need to pull over and let other people by. Dreamscape I am hoping to see you and your bus when there. I have been following your blog too 

[usbusin]

Sean said; The problem with the Napa Valley is that it is not very kid-friendly

I will make a shameless plug for my son and his wife's business in Napa, aimed at kids.  It is called Scientopia Discovery Center.  They have been open for 14 months now and geared for children 0-12 years old.  Check them out at: http://scientopiadiscoverycenter.com/

If you go there, tell Jon and Marcy that their father sent you.  Maybe they'll give you a discount!  Who knows.  If you stay in Napa I'd recommend the Napa Valley Expo RV Park.  Nice new park and friendly campground hosts.  Call for reservations: http://www.napavalleyexpo.com/f-rvs.html

Have fun at Scientopia!  My son built most of the exhibits (a father bragging)!