BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BIMMERPOST Universal Forums Off-Topic Discussions Board The Pacific North-West Coast Trip

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-06-2023, 12:23 PM   #1
Our03z4
Captain
1637
Rep
676
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe,
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

The Pacific North-West Coast Trip

Wife and I are heading out to the Pacific NW coast later this week. Plan on staying 5 days along the coast starting near Portland and driving down the 1 to San Fran. This is part of a 6k mile 12 day trip (we're crazy I know, recently did 3,800 miles in 5 days). We will have our pups with us and plan on doing outdoor activities only. Yes, it will be raining most of the time but we work outside and have the proper gear for any weather.

Are there any parks along that route that we can't pass up without seeing? Also any good take out places to eat? Or even anything best to avoid?

Thanks!
Appreciate 1
      11-06-2023, 12:58 PM   #2
UncleWede
Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner
UncleWede's Avatar
United_States
17874
Rep
9,376
Posts

Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Oxnard, CA

iTrader: (0)

There should definitely be some redwoods in your future!
__________________
I have romped on her and I giggled like a drunk infant the entire time. - Sedan_Clan
Appreciate 5
Llarry14483.50
cmyx6go15564.50
Our03z41636.50
      11-06-2023, 01:11 PM   #3
M_Six
Free Thinker
M_Six's Avatar
United_States
16537
Rep
7,447
Posts

Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Foothills of Mt Level

iTrader: (0)

Mount St. Helens is north of Portland, but not that far. Very impressive place.
__________________
Mark
markj.pics

"There is no shame in dropping fruit in your glass."
-UncleWede
Appreciate 3
R BMW940.50
lakefront560.50
Our03z41636.50
      11-06-2023, 01:15 PM   #4
chassis
Colonel
chassis's Avatar
6374
Rep
2,283
Posts

Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Einbahnstraße

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Mt. Rainier - might be outside of your geographic window
Mt. St. Helens
Redwoods in NorCal
Yosemite - also might be outside of your window
Appreciate 2
Our03z41636.50
      11-06-2023, 01:25 PM   #5
sygazelle
Brigadier General
11091
Rep
3,404
Posts

Drives: 2014 328i M-Sport, 2019 X5 40i
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Our03z4 View Post
Wife and I are heading out to the Pacific NW coast later this week. Plan on staying 5 days along the coast starting near Portland and driving down the 1 to San Fran. This is part of a 6k mile 12 day trip (we're crazy I know, recently did 3,800 miles in 5 days). We will have our pups with us and plan on doing outdoor activities only. Yes, it will be raining most of the time but we work outside and have the proper gear for any weather.

Are there any parks along that route that we can't pass up without seeing? Also any good take out places to eat? Or even anything best to avoid?

Thanks!

If you stay on Hwy 101 in Oregon and Hwy 1 in California, you will be on or close to the ocean the whole way. The entire drive is a park! There will be endless places for you to get out and walk your dog and enjoy the outdoors.

In California, there are many state beaches. They each charge a fee but there might be a week pass or a pass where you can visit multiple places on the same day on the same pass.

It's hard to pick a specific place to recommend since the entire trip is so special. Personally, I love Hwy 1 between the town of Mendocino and Bodega Bay. The lighthouse at Point Arena is very cool. Jenner is where the Russian River meets the ocean. If you stop at one of the lookouts, you can see hundreds of Pelicans flocking and a bunch of sea lions. It's quite a sight to see. Keep going south across the bridge at Jenner and one of the first turnouts to the right is Goat Rock Rd to Goat Rock Beach. Amazing views and places to walk and hike with your dog.

For food, if you like fresh fish, go to Fisherman's Cove at 1850 Bay Flat Rd, Bodega Bay, CA 94923. Not fancy at all but the fresh fish is amazing.

I'm not sure how far south you are going since can't find your final destination, San Fran, on a map. It's okay, I can't find Cali in a map either.


Have fun!

Last edited by sygazelle; 11-06-2023 at 04:25 PM..
Appreciate 2
M_Six16536.50
Our03z41636.50
      11-06-2023, 01:48 PM   #6
dreamingat30fps
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
5256
Rep
1,904
Posts

Drives: Miata, Cayenne, Model 3, F350
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: South Florida & NC

iTrader: (1)

I agree on Mt. St. Helens. We also enjoyed Seaside OR. They also have the Lewis and Clark Historic area/park which is part of the Lewis and Clark trail. In CA we like the Muri Woods park... although the last time we went they had some weird ticketing system or something I recall it being a pita.
Appreciate 1
Our03z41636.50
      11-06-2023, 04:02 PM   #7
UncleWede
Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner
UncleWede's Avatar
United_States
17874
Rep
9,376
Posts

Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Oxnard, CA

iTrader: (0)

Check dot (dot) ca (dot) gov and make sure there is a complete road along 1. I can't recall if all the landslides have been repaired.

Roaring Camp railroads in Santa Cruz (Felton?) was kinda cool. Combine redwoods and a steam train. We did that in the afternoon, then dined by the harbor in Santa Cruz, before retiring to our room. We were heading north to see the middle son in Portland, but were just cruizing.

Does Hearst Castle still exist?
__________________
I have romped on her and I giggled like a drunk infant the entire time. - Sedan_Clan
Appreciate 1
Our03z41636.50
      11-06-2023, 04:02 PM   #8
mc-m3
Private First Class
204
Rep
102
Posts

Drives: 2006 X3, 2015 Panamera
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Seattle

iTrader: (0)

just east of Crescent City CA - Grove of Titans Trailhead, Howland Hill Road, Crescent City, CA

the road to it is a small road (some gravel) and worth the drive.
Attached Images
 

Last edited by mc-m3; 11-06-2023 at 05:00 PM..
Appreciate 2
Our03z41636.50
      11-06-2023, 04:07 PM   #9
Our03z4
Captain
1637
Rep
676
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe,
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by M_Six View Post
Mount St. Helens is north of Portland, but not that far. Very impressive place.
Unfortunately we are going to be too far south from there but it is on our list for the future. Thanks for the reply!

Quote:
Originally Posted by chassis View Post
Mt. Rainier - might be outside of your geographic window
Mt. St. Helens
Redwoods in NorCal
Yosemite - also might be outside of your window
Issue with those parks is they don't allow dogs but in parking lots and roadways, no trails. My wife says if they allow kids they should allow dogs, ours are better behaved lol

Quote:
Originally Posted by sygazelle View Post
If you stay on Hwy 101 in Oregon and Hwy 1 in California, you will be on or close to the ocean the whole way. The entire drive is a park! There will be endless places for you to get out and walk your dog and enjoy the outdoors.

In California, there are many state beaches. They each charge a fee but there might be a week pass or a pass where you can visit multiple places on the same day on the same pass.

It's hard to pick a specific place to recommend since the entire trip is so special. Personally, I love Hwy 1 between the town of Mendocino and Bodega Bay. The lighthouse at Point Arena is very cool. Jenner is where the Russian River meets the ocean. If you stop at one of the lookouts, you can see hundreds of Pelicans flocking and a bunch of sea lions. It's quite a sight to see. Keep going south across the bridge at Jenner and one of the first turnouts to the right is Goat Rock Rd to Goat Rock Beach. Amazing views and places to walk and hike with your dog.

For food, if you like fresh fish, go to Fisherman's Cove at 1850 Bay Flat Rd, Bodega Bay, CA 94923. Not fancy at all but the fresh fish is amazing.

Have fun!
Mendocino is on our list, we plan to hit up the botanical gardens there (they allow dogs!). Apparently it's also a good place to whale watch.

I don't know how I missed Jenner but I just looked that area up and it looks like a perfect place to stop and check out!!!

Thanks so much for your advice and ideas!
Appreciate 1
sygazelle11091.00
      11-06-2023, 04:27 PM   #10
sygazelle
Brigadier General
11091
Rep
3,404
Posts

Drives: 2014 328i M-Sport, 2019 X5 40i
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Our03z4 View Post
Unfortunately we are going to be too far south from there but it is on our list for the future. Thanks for the reply!



Issue with those parks is they don't allow dogs but in parking lots and roadways, no trails. My wife says if they allow kids they should allow dogs, ours are better behaved lol



Mendocino is on our list, we plan to hit up the botanical gardens there (they allow dogs!). Apparently it's also a good place to whale watch.

I don't know how I missed Jenner but I just looked that area up and it looks like a perfect place to stop and check out!!!

Thanks so much for your advice and ideas!

Take photos. We NEED to see them!
Appreciate 0
      11-06-2023, 04:30 PM   #11
sygazelle
Brigadier General
11091
Rep
3,404
Posts

Drives: 2014 328i M-Sport, 2019 X5 40i
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Our03z4 View Post
Unfortunately we are going to be too far south from there but it is on our list for the future. Thanks for the reply!



Issue with those parks is they don't allow dogs but in parking lots and roadways, no trails. My wife says if they allow kids they should allow dogs, ours are better behaved lol



Mendocino is on our list, we plan to hit up the botanical gardens there (they allow dogs!). Apparently it's also a good place to whale watch.

I don't know how I missed Jenner but I just looked that area up and it looks like a perfect place to stop and check out!!!

Thanks so much for your advice and ideas!
The Fisherman's Cove restaurant in Bodega Bay has it's own boat, so I'm told by an employee, that brings back fresh fish each day. I go fishing in Alaska and spend entirely too much money catching fresh halibut, but it's so good. I go to Fisherman's Cove and it's just as good. The clam chowder is awesome too. They are dog friendly.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun.
Appreciate 1
Our03z41636.50
      11-06-2023, 04:51 PM   #12
Lady Jane
Cailín gan eagla.
Lady Jane's Avatar
68876
Rep
979
Posts

Drives: 2024 X3 M40i and R1200RT bike.
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Atlantic Canada.

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Our03z4 View Post

My wife says if they allow kids they should allow dogs, ours are better behaved
Amen...
Appreciate 2
vreihen1614886.50
Our03z41636.50
      11-06-2023, 07:47 PM   #13
Our03z4
Captain
1637
Rep
676
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe,
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sygazelle View Post
The Fisherman's Cove restaurant in Bodega Bay has it's own boat, so I'm told by an employee, that brings back fresh fish each day. I go fishing in Alaska and spend entirely too much money catching fresh halibut, but it's so good. I go to Fisherman's Cove and it's just as good. The clam chowder is awesome too. They are dog friendly.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun.

Dog friendly you say. We'll check it out. Clam chowder is what we'll need with all the rain we'll be in.
Appreciate 1
sygazelle11091.00
      11-06-2023, 07:49 PM   #14
Our03z4
Captain
1637
Rep
676
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe,
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sygazelle View Post
Take photos. We NEED to see them!
Will do! I really should post some photos of this past years trips. After this one we'll have driven almost 18k miles in less than a year. 44 states worth.
Appreciate 2
sygazelle11091.00
      11-08-2023, 06:09 PM   #15
Our03z4
Captain
1637
Rep
676
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe,
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Leaving in the morning. Not super thrilled with the rental Hertz gave us (Jeep Compass with 70k miles). One nice thing is that it has 4wd, that may come in handy.
Appreciate 0
      11-09-2023, 07:24 AM   #16
CamasM3e93
Friends don't let friends ESS
CamasM3e93's Avatar
No_Country
3118
Rep
848
Posts

Drives: '11 Lemans Blue 6mt Harrop e90
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Camas, WA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Highway 1 in California is closed south of Big Sur, was just there on Monday.

Depends on how you define coast, but from Portland south, other things to consider:

Crater Lake

Bend & Sisters, OR

There’s a buttload of official scenic drives off 5 through central and southern Oregon.

Yosemite

Coast proper: Cannon Beach, Brookings OR

I’ve driven California highway 1 from its northern terminus south to Malibu. It’s a vacation all on its own but you would have to turn around at Big Sur and vector over to 101. Still, it’s very worth the effort. That’s two full days and you have to be patient. Best seen driving north to south with the windows up so you don’t accumulate bugs in your slack jawed mouth dropped in continuous awe.
Appreciate 4
dradernh4179.00
Our03z41636.50
DrFerry6722.50
      11-09-2023, 12:24 PM   #17
RobotDoctor
Professional Nomad
RobotDoctor's Avatar
677
Rep
128
Posts

Drives: 2019 440i F36 Sportline
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: Florida's first coast

iTrader: (0)

Crater Lake is one of the most incredible, awe-inspiring places I have ever seen. If in the area this should be a MUST SEE!!!
Appreciate 5
Llarry14483.50
Our03z41636.50
sygazelle11091.00
      11-09-2023, 01:21 PM   #18
dradernh
Brigadier General
dradernh's Avatar
4179
Rep
3,472
Posts

Drives: 2017 M240i
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by CamasM3e93 View Post
Highway 1 in California is closed south of Big Sur, was just there on Monday.
It's too bad that Nacimiento-Fergusson Road is also closed for repairs. That's a stunning route up the slope from Hwy 1 and would have been a means to seeing more of Big Sur while going around the closed section of 1.
__________________
2017 M240i: 23.6K, MT, Sunroof Delete, 3,432#, EB, Leather, Driving Assistance Package, Heated Front Seats | Sold: E12 530i, E24 M635CSi, E39 520i, E30 325is, E36 M3 (2)
TC Kline Coilovers; H&R Front Bar; Wavetrac; Al Subframe Bushings; 18X9/9½ ARC-8s; 255/35-18 PS4S (4); Dinan Elite V2 & CAI; MPerf Orange BBK; Schroth Quick Fit Pro;
GTechniq Crystal Serum Ultra Ceramic; Suntek PPF
Appreciate 2
Our03z41636.50
sygazelle11091.00
      11-09-2023, 03:12 PM   #19
UncleWede
Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner
UncleWede's Avatar
United_States
17874
Rep
9,376
Posts

Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Oxnard, CA

iTrader: (0)

You could always come another 6 hours south of Frisco to the strawberry capital of the world: Oxnard
__________________
I have romped on her and I giggled like a drunk infant the entire time. - Sedan_Clan
Appreciate 1
Our03z41636.50
      11-09-2023, 10:17 PM   #20
Our03z4
Captain
1637
Rep
676
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe,
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by CamasM3e93 View Post
Highway 1 in California is closed south of Big Sur, was just there on Monday.

Depends on how you define coast, but from Portland south, other things to consider:

Crater Lake

Bend & Sisters, OR

There’s a buttload of official scenic drives off 5 through central and southern Oregon.

Yosemite

Coast proper: Cannon Beach, Brookings OR

I’ve driven California highway 1 from its northern terminus south to Malibu. It’s a vacation all on its own but you would have to turn around at Big Sur and vector over to 101. Still, it’s very worth the effort. That’s two full days and you have to be patient. Best seen driving north to south with the windows up so you don’t accumulate bugs in your slack jawed mouth dropped in continuous awe.

Thanks for the advice! We won't be making it quite that far down though. Our cut off is San Francisco then cutting over to Lake Tahoe for a few hours on the way home.
Appreciate 1
      11-10-2023, 03:23 PM   #21
2000cs
Captain
3447
Rep
1,004
Posts

Drives: Potato
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: USA

iTrader: (1)

If you’re in Portland, drive a bit east to Multnomah Falls.
Lots of parks and other places along the coast of OR and No Cal.
Appreciate 1
Our03z41636.50
      11-10-2023, 09:15 PM   #22
Our03z4
Captain
1637
Rep
676
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe,
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2000cs View Post
If you’re in Portland, drive a bit east to Multnomah Falls.
Lots of parks and other places along the coast of OR and No Cal.
Wow, not sure how we missed the waterfall. We are going to stop and check that out for sure since we'll be driving right past it. Very much appreciated!
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:15 PM.




bmw
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST