Lookin' for Pacific Coast tips

[2 for the road]

This year we're taking Horace Greeley's advise and "heading west"! As far west as we can go without getting wet! We're planning a three week trip for the last week of August and first two weeks of September.
Heading from St Louis to Portland. Then down the Pacific coast to San Diego. The couple going with us has never been west of Vegas so the route back will include some of what Mary Lou and I did a couple of years ago. Including the Grand Canyon, Arches N.P., Million Dollar Hwy, Durango, Silverton, Four Corners and to Colorado Springs then, reluctantly, back to reality.
We're planning on Iron Butting our first day. St. Louis to Rawlins, Wy. Haven't done one before so I figured this will be a good time to try. Our wives don't share our enthusium in the Iron Butt and are flying out to meet us.
I'm hoping, as in the past, I can get some great trip tips from those of you that live and/or ride the coast. We will be going north to south. Any specific "must see" or "probably not worth the time" will be much appreciated. We're more in to the natural sights as opposed to the man-made stuff but are open to anything. Due to time issues we won't have too much time to spend in any one place.
Should be 5000 miles of memories! Thanks, in advance, for your help!

[k7nutN7nut]

Well...growing up here, that's a tough question?
I have always loved the Washington Peninsula, from the Columbia River all the way up to Oysterville, the Grandparents took us Clamming out of Ocean Park where they had a trailer. Hwy 101 from Canada to San Diego is full of good sights, I find it hard to direct you to any one...or two places!?
I think if you are coming to Portland though, I would recommend taking Hwy 30 through Clatskanie, Or. to get to Astoria, where the "mouth" of the Columbia is. That is quite a sight and also to see the bridge that spans the Columbia over to Washington. I'll let others give you ideas too, but if you pass through The Dalles, Or. on I-84, you'll be going by me, I should have my '00 Voyager XII done by than...well, hopefully in a couple of weeks!

Have fun...

GM

[debron]

I agree with GM, highway 30 from Portland to Astoria will be the more scenic, though longer route. As you travel south on highway 101 there are a lot of "scenic viewpoints" and you can pick and choose these as you will.

Going south on 101, the Tillamook Cheese factory tour is interesting if you like cheese (I know, this is a man-made thing!) Next a side trip from Pacific City to Cape Kiwanda State Park with a hike up the dune is worth the effort with great views and will give you a chance to stretch your legs.

Between Lincoln City and Newport, a stop at Depoe Bay is interesting. It's touted as "The World's Smallest Harbor" and was a location in the movie One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest starring Jack Nicholson back in the '70s. This is where Jack Nicholson took the inmates from the state mental institution and they commandeered the fishing boat and went deep sea fishing.

Just a mile or two north of Newport at the community of Agate Beach is "Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area." They have one of the few lighthouses you can still visit, if you're interested in lighthouses. Lighthouse is open noon - 5:00 in summer.

Just north of Florence about 10 miles are the Sea Lion Caves. Worth visiting once. You ride an elevator down to the viewing area where the sea lions hang out. Sea lions are very noisy!

Just south of Florence about 3 miles is Honeyman State Park. This is the northern start of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The day use area is another good place to stretch your legs climbing the "big dune." At the bottom of the dune is Cleawox Lake, a nice place for a swim. You can also take dune buggy rides out on the dunes. There are commercial businesses along 101 that will take you out there.

I am less familiar with the area south from Florence to the California border though I've ridden it. There are several state parks and the aforementioned scenic view points.

The end of August/first of September is the best time of year to visit the Oregon coast. Your best chance of sunny (and even warm) weather, less chance of fog and rain.

[HMB Don]

The last week of Aug most AVA members and Voyager riders will be in Reno for the Western Regional Rally. So stop by for an overnight and meet us all from the west.

Just Stay on Hwy 1 down the coast of California, just remember that it will be cold. But ride inland a few miles and it gets warm. Most any road heading inland will be worth the ride. You'll have to ride through San Francisco because that's the only road that gets you to the southern part of California.

Best yet is to call any of the AVA members and have them lead you and show you around, it will save you time and you'll see the best of that location. When you come into California call me I can be your tour guide.

Don Medina
President
NorCal Voyagers Club
AVA boardmember

[debron]

Well, duh I meant to mention that I would be happy to ride with you a ways on your trip through Oregon!

[2 for the road]

Ha! You guys are great! In less than 24 hours I got three suggestions and two volunteers to ride with us!!
I don't want to bore anyone riding with us. My tentative schedule is to take about 9 days down the coast, covering about 175 miles per day, so we have lots of sightseeing time. Additionally, we may wind up with a bit of a convoy. We have some family that live in Colorado and Wyoming. One may be joining on his Trumph and a couple of others that don't ride (hey, we can't pick our relatives!!) may follow along trapped in a car. The more the merrier and we can't wait to see some family, great scenery and hopefully make a few new friends along the way!
Please keep your thoughts coming! The trip seems like it's a long time off...but the days roll by pretty quickly.
I'm sure I'll be asking more specific questions now that I realize the level of expertise we have out west!
And, as I offered last year, anyone riding thru the St. Louis area and needing a place to spend a night you're always welcome here Thanks again!

[Turbo4x4]

If you're looking for twisties, the coast road from the Oregon border to Fort Bragg is really going to light your fuse. It's one of the most difficult sections of the coast highway to ride, and is in fact so twistie that RV's are discouraged from driving it. On a motorcycle, however, it's a ton of fun. Don't miss it.

[Turbo4x4]

I agree with GM, highway 30 from Portland to Astoria will be the more scenic, though longer route. As you travel south on highway 101 there are a lot of "scenic viewpoints" and you can pick and choose these as you will.

Going south on 101, the Tillamook Cheese factory tour is interesting if you like cheese (I know, this is a man-made thing!) Next a side trip from Pacific City to Cape Kiwanda State Park with a hike up the dune is worth the effort with great views and will give you a chance to stretch your legs.

Between Lincoln City and Newport, a stop at Depoe Bay is interesting. It's touted as "The World's Smallest Harbor" and was a location in the movie One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest starring Jack Nicholson back in the '70s. This is where Jack Nicholson took the inmates from the state mental institution and they commandeered the fishing boat and went deep sea fishing.

Just a mile or two north of Newport at the community of Agate Beach is "Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area." They have one of the few lighthouses you can still visit, if you're interested in lighthouses. Lighthouse is open noon - 5:00 in summer.

Just north of Florence about 10 miles are the Sea Lion Caves. Worth visiting once. You ride an elevator down to the viewing area where the sea lions hang out. Sea lions are very noisy!

Just south of Florence about 3 miles is Honeyman State Park. This is the northern start of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The day use area is another good place to stretch your legs climbing the "big dune." At the bottom of the dune is Cleawox Lake, a nice place for a swim. You can also take dune buggy rides out on the dunes. There are commercial businesses along 101 that will take you out there.

I am less familiar with the area south from Florence to the California border though I've ridden it. There are several state parks and the aforementioned scenic view points.

The end of August/first of September is the best time of year to visit the Oregon coast. Your best chance of sunny (and even warm) weather, less chance of fog and rain.

If you stop at Tillamook, make sure to stop at the Tillamook Naval Air Museum. It housed air ships (blimps) during WWII, and the one remaining hanger still remains the largest clear span wooden structure in the world. They have a great 1950's style snack bar on site, and many lovingly restored vintage aircraft, with plenty of eager and enthusiastic volunteers to answer your questions. Make sure you ask them about the basketball hoops :-)