Ideas/ Personal Favorites for Pacific NW and N CA - Upcoming Cross country trip

tlkil3

Reaching out for thoughts on places to camp and visit for upcoming trip.   We will be heading west from Atlanta at end of month for 2 months.  Bought a TAB last year and covered most of the national parks out west, this year plan to be more focused (but getting a later start).  Wanted to start with Glacier, but think it will be too cold by the time we leave this year.  In general, thought is to be in the western WA area for 2-3 weeks, a big part of which in Olympic NP.  Then down the coast, Oregon coast, into Portland, back out, along Oreg coast, Umpqua valley, then down to N CA.  Any particular personal favorites or thoughts would be helpful.  

Thanks!

MuttonChops

tlkil3 said:

. . . in the western WA area for 2-3 weeks, a big part of which in Olympic NP. 

You will have fun!  The Washington & Oregon Coast have too many great stops to pick from so I'll suggest a couple of stops before you start down the coast.

Port Townsend, WA.   Has a nice historical downtown with all the cafes, restaurants, and shops to fill an afternoon or two.  Fort Worden State Park has two campground areas, one in the woods, one near the beach.  County Fair Grounds has several full hook-up and power/water sites at very reasonable prices.  It's just a fair ground field but you are there for the downtown visit.  There is also a private RV park on the point at the boat basin right at the end of downtown.

Have your PassPorts?  Consider a day trip via Black Ball Ferry to Victoria B.C from Port Angeles, WA.  Victoria downtown has a very British feel and many great things to see & do.

Dalehelman

It is a beautiful area, but bring a rain 🧥 coat.

pthomas745

In Olympic NP, the Hoh Rain Forest. 

And, in the goofy thing you must do because you are there department:  Cape Flattery, the far NW corner of the Contiguous US.  An easy hike on a boardwalk to view the lighthouse on Tatoosh Island.  Some day you will find yourself at Quoddy Head, the easternmost point to the Contiguous US, and you will realize you have to drive back to Cape Flattery to "collect" the point!  Because it' s there, of course.

Edit:  only now is the west entering "fire season", even though fires have been burning for months.  Smoke is still an issue in some places.  You will may not have too many smoke problems near the coast due to the prevailing winds, but inland areas could be an issue.

Michigan_Mike

I would highly recommend driving up Big Sur.  Beautiful/stunning coastal scenery and spectacular surf.  CA has state parks along the way and I spent a few nights at Mazda Laguna Seca raceway at their campground.  Very nice area and close to Carmel and Monterrey.  Definitely take the time and drive out around the “17 Mile Drive” around the Monterrey peninsula.  Spectacular surf, pull outs for photos, sea life abounds and one of the most beautiful sea side areas in the world with vistas, crashing surf, seals, sea birds, etc.  You will drive through the Pebble Beach golf course and can stop by for souvenirs , a cold beer, etc.

The Avenue of the Giants is another spectacular place to visit, camp, hike, etc.  Nothing better than to hike back into a stand of giant redwoods, the oldest plants on planet earth.  There are established elk herds in some of these areas too and you won’t be sorry for taking the time to drive up into these areas and. The rainforests of Northern CA.  

Plenty to see along the way and the Hearst Castle was very scenic and interesting too.  Do the pool tour and spend some time in San Simeon too as there are wineries in the area.  I drove to the coast up through the Mohave Desert and 29 Palms, coming in through Cambria.  

If you take the coastal route up through Crescent City, CA and into Oregon you will be in awe as the Oregon coast is beautiful too, if it’s not raining.  I drove up to the mouth of the Columbia River at Astoria, where Lewis & Clark ended their cross-country trip.  Lots to do and see in this area and history abounds!  

Take lots of photos, do share and don’t wait too long as weather will be changing and travel can be difficult.

Safe travels! 

kmccaffrey123

Cape Perpetua campground Oregon Coast; Richardson Grove south of the Ave of the Giants, Humboldt County No. Cali are favs, some Boondocking.  Benbow RV and Campground close to Richardson Grove with hookups and showers.

dragonsdofly

@kmccaffrey123, welcome to the forum!

N7SHG_Ham

The west coast has two entirely different environments; west of the cascades and east. Rain forest to high desert and this is true from the Canadian border down into California. Really depends on what you want to see, a lot of folks are shocked that the entire PNW is NOT a rain forest!

I live in Central Oregon so can experience a wide variety in just a few hours of home.

tlkil3

Thanks for all the suggestions, helpful!  Embarking this weekend, first meaningful stop will be the Black Hills. I’ll have to learn how to post photos.

tlkil3

Badlands NP was our first stop on our trip out west.  Striking setting, great evening...to be followed the next day driving thru 50 mph winds getting to Custer.