Hello, I am planning a trip to the Pacific Coast of the US in September and my question is this, should I go from San Diego to Seattle or from Seattle to San Diego? I am leaning towards going from Seattle to San Diego because the ocean would be on the passenger side and make is safer to stop, I would think.

The reason I ask is taking the Cabot Trail is Nova Scotia is vastly different when going in opposite directions. It was to me anyway....so I am wondering if it would be the same for this route?

We're thinking of doing this for a duration of two weeks, would that be sufficient?

And are there some hidden gems that I should know about, something other than what can be found in the various 'travel brochures' of tourism sites?

We prefer to be off the beaten track, and since we do have a GPS, the more out-of-the-way the better.

Thanks and regards.....Pete

I would do Seattle to San Diego simply because the northern most coast is the prettiest and this way you will not waste as much time photographing the south.

As for out of the way, if you are driving down the 1. Theres not really any out of the way places, all of those ar emiles inland and a pain to get to.

Personally my favorite stretch of coast is between Eureka and Point Arena (both in California. However the big sur area is also fabulous.

To save time and see a bi tmore I would recomend skiping the section of the coast bellow San Francisco up until Monterey. Theres a lovley mountain highway you can take. It goes through some redwoods and you can see the coast down bellow. It is much more photogenic and bypasses some of the traffic.

Likewise I would skip the coast from Malibu to Del Mar (short of San Diego). As driving in LA and Oceanside is just a waste of time (you will just waste a day in traffic). Deffinatly check out Torrey Pines State beach and La Jolla though.

Must see spots is ofcourse the famous beaches up in oregon and seattle region. Redwoods National Park. The whole coastline between Eureka and Point Arena. Muir Woods. McWay Falls, etc... Truthfully everytime I drive up and down the coast I find new places to go. The oast is so amazing and enjoyable there is not really one specific thing you must see.

Just to warn you september is going to bring slightly rougher weather so you will probably see a lot fewer sunny days. However that is not all bad since when you drive on the coast often you end up driving above the low lying mist. Looks amazing.

Tips:
Drive slowly. The speed limit there is often way higher then is safe to drive. There is also less yellow posted signs then usual. There are tons of sharp turns and even an experienced driver can be caught off guard. Remember th epenelty for failure is a thousand foot plunge onto sharp rocks and icy water.

If it rains or is misty turn your lights on and drive at a slower speed. California roads tend to get less rain and if its the first rain of the season the oil makes them unusualy slippery.

Keep your eyes open, mud slides ocassionally happen. And if they do you will need to think fast to avoid getting hit with boulders or being thrown off a cliff.

Don't stay in hotels. The coast has notoriously expensive hotels. Bring a tent and stay at some of the excusite campgrounds, better anyway.

And Bring a good telephoto. A couple years back I went and saw 13 California Condors and did not have a good enough telephoto to do much about it.

Thanks for the reply......I am looking forward to the trip. I also went and found the directions to Shi Shi, Rialto, and Ruby beaches that so many have posted pictures.

Unfortunately my wife is not a camper, her idea of roughing it is not having satellite TV.

Good idea about the long lens....I plan on getting a 400mm F5.6L by then.

Thanks again......Pete

I'm partial to the area from Mendocino, California to Astoria, Oregon. I should explore the rest one of these days.

the south is more strenuous and the roads are curvier too, and being in that you are in CA the driving will be more "hectic"...oregon coast is more straight away and beautiful. I like the Inn at Otter Crest about halfway down the oregon coast.

Are you from Nova Scotia? Nova Scotia is my home, but I'm living in Northern California now.

You will want to drive the coast between Monterey and San Simeon. It is lovely and there are many places to stop along the way. Julia Pfeiffer Sur State Park where McWay Falls are is one, but don't miss the Limekiln State Park. Point Lobos, just south of Carmel is another beauty spot.

Start North and take your time - CA beaches are nice but in my opinion, don't compare to the Washington and Oregon beaches.... I am guessing the N. California beaches are nice, but I have not seen this part of the coast myself yet.... if your wife isn't a camper, than Shi Shi is off the map. That is a good workout of a hike to get in and you don't want to turn around and hike back out in the evening.

Have fun !!

Pt. Lobos is a nice stop. Thousands of cormorants are in mating season on bird island inside Pt. Lobos State park (just south of Carmel, CA on the 1).

Of course, you probably have 17-mile drive (Pebble beach, the infamous Lone Cypress tree) on your plans.

Hearst castle is another must-see in San Simeon.

Bandon, Oregon many like.

The 2 lighthouses (Pt. Sur and Piedras Blancas) I might try to arrange for. Those have specific times and dates you can only see them on. Neat lighthouses those are. In fact, Lighthouses are great in Oregon, as well.

2nd beach and Ruby beach up in Washington are must sees.

The Hoh Rain Forest and the Sol Duc falls, as well. These you will pass coming from Seattle to the coast.

Rosemary R wrote:
Are you from Nova Scotia? Nova Scotia is my home, but I'm living in Northern California now.

You will want to drive the coast between Monterey and San Simeon. It is lovely and there are many places to stop along the way. Julia Pfeiffer Sur State Park where McWay Falls are is one, but don't miss the Limekiln State Park. Point Lobos, just south of Carmel is another beauty spot.

just made that drive and most of those stops a couple weeks ago.... I would second the thought

have yet to do much north of SF so can't comment ...found Santa Barbara to just North of San Diego .....well....less than inspiring

Thanks everyone for all the great info.....

I am from Calgary originally, but moved to Toronto in 1986. My wife has lived all her life in the Toronto area.

We now live 60km/40mi north of Toronto on 3 acres in Bradford - West Gwillimbury Ontario.

How does your wife---or you, for that matter---feel about heights? As in cliffs with no guardrails? That's the only issue with southbound or northbound CA 1...the southbound lane's a bit closer to some spectacular edges! The pucker factor is frequently high, but worth it.

Either way, you will find far too much to shoot between Big Sur and the ONP, as you can probably tell by all the suggestions you're getting. Dave

In a general sense, yes, driving south puts the car on the ocean side - which is very much the cliff side in some places (if northbound, some of the landside cliffs are also close in places like Big Sur but you just worry about scraping on them, not falling up the cliffs). Driving south does enhance the view for the passenger and the driver.

There are places where the driver's attention really does have to be on the driving. And kidding aside, as you drive Big Sur and some of the other areas, the road follows the terrain so it does go back into canyons then out around a point, then back into a canyon, etc., and some of the curves are very tight on the inland side. If going south, on the ocean side, the inside tight turns are generally have the land falling away (not completely a pun), going north, as you turn tightly around a point or outcropping, it can be very close to the rocks and the visibility bad. And big RVs and busses often swing wide for those turns.

I haven't driven the whole route for years but would suggest, if time permits, Highway 1 instead of 101 north of San Francisco. This is not high speed driving. There are several routes across back to the 101 and the 101 isn't unpleasant.

I'm kind of with the 101 south from San Francisco group, or even the I-280. 17 south to Santa Cruz takes you through the Felton area as well and near the Roaring Camp and Big Trees RR and some state redwood parks. The area on the 101 around San Juan Bautista is interesting with the mission and the earthquake history as well. But if you probably want to go to the coast via Castroville and Marina if you haven't already. 1 south through the Monerety, Pacific Grove and Carmel area, although that's worth a couple of days n iteslef, Montery has a number of Spanish colonial and early California historic sites, the Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf and Aquarium, as well as the geaches of the Pacific Grove and Carmel area, and Point Lobos Reserve. Then 1 through Big Sur. I'm not sure I'd push for following 1 south after leaving the San Luis Obispo area. Push on to the Buellton, Lompoc and Santa Ynez area. Mission La Purisima Concepcion near Lompoc is restored and situated in a more openstate park area of rolling undeveloped hills, unlike most of the Missions which are in the cities that grew up around them. Solvang isn't as quaint as it used to be but maybe worth some time to see the little ag communities in the area, then south to Gaviota then along the coast to Santa Barbara.

We tend to drive inland at Ventura on Highway 126 as it gives us better routes home comparted to following either the 1 or 101. 1 follows the coast after getting though the Oxnard area and goes past Pt. Mugu then along Malibu to Santa Monica. and then 1 is especially crowded and mostly urban. Venice Beach (Google for info), if that interests you. 101 - from Ventura east (even if the general impression and map directions suggest "south") takes you along the north side of the Santa Monica mOuntains and into the San Fernando Valley. Often a very busy drive and unless you need to go that way, may or may not be preferred over the 1 to Santa Monica. This is the main L.A. metropolitan area. 1 - Pacific Coast Highway will get you to Long Beach and then near the water at Seal Breach and Bolsa Chica, then eventually rejoins the 101/I-5 at about San Juan Capistrano/Dana Point/San Clemente (I don't follow the numbers around there so not entirely sure which you would or wouldn't see and when.) I-5 south to San Diego is faster, the old PCH 1 (or 101?) still goes through the beach communities. Slower and maybe somewhat more scenic. You'll take I-5 through the Camp Pendleton Marine base from San Clemente to Oceanside anyways.

Make sure to check out Point Lobos on your way to Big Sur, the area is beautiful and definately a treat. Hopefully by the time you are there, China Beach will be open.

Oh yeah, here's a little something you should be aware of and all of these shots were taken in the Big Sur area. Some in San Simeon State Park (near the campground) or near McWay Falls. The first was conveniently located right near a good vantage point for shooting one of the bridges on the Big Sur coast. Stay on the trails and it shouldn't be a problem. Brushbusting is probably not a good idea at all. Point Lobos is (or at least was) full of the stuff.

http://www.pbase.com/gillettecraig/poisonoak



This sign is just before the entrance to Point Lobos State Reserve as you leave Carmel.

Definitely North to South (with certain section skipped).

I drove south from SF to Morrow Bay (and then back) in the third week of September 06, and the weather was perfect for seeing Highway 1 at its best! I much preferred the drive south: better views and easier to pull into stopping places. (Even my husband - who kept blanching at the drop - preferred going south!) The traffic seemed light to me, not many big vehicles at all and the only 'hairy' moments were some of the bends driving north when I discovered I preferred hugging the edge to hugging the cliff

There are a few pics from that trip in this album on my site: I hope you're as lucky with the weather as we were

First of all, it sounds like an amazing trip. Good luck with it and the $4/gal price of gas.

2nd of all, no mention of Point Reyes National Seashores? I didn't exactly read through all the post, but did do a quick ctrl + F and not one mention of Point Reyes.

I've been up and down the Cali coast, and by far, Point Reyes is one of the most beautiful stretches of coast you'll ever find. Yes, Big Sur is awesome, so is norther cali from the cal/or border to Sonoma county (I'd do the Avenue of the Giants drive too). But Point Reyes is often overlooked, which in my mind is a good thing. Check out this hike from 2 of the northern beaches of Point Reyes. The trail actually goes into the Ocean, so it can only be done during low tide.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/piggitydhotography/sets/72157603758297378/

I wouldn't discount the stretch between SF and Monterey. There's Ano Nueve where the Elphant seals kick it. Also, if the tide is low, there's Fitzgerald Marine Reserve which is awesome for tidepooling. Not to mention Half Moon Bay (Mavericks big wave surf competition held there).

McWay Falls is cool, but seriously, don't let the beautiful pictures fool you. Unless you get there at the right time of day, it's just Okay. I guess that goes for about anywhere, i just think it's overrated.

Well I don't understand why one should make such an effort to skip Hwy. 1 between SF and Monterey. Sure you can take skyline and Hwy 9 for a very nice Redwood tour and some views of the bay area but if you do the whole coast you will have seen plenty of Redwoods. This route will take even longer than 1. Taking the freeway makes no sense to me at all, will save maybe 30-45 minutes over taking 1 and not stopping to look at anything.

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge in the far right lane going south. Immediately after the toll plaz turn right and follow the road to Land's End and then onto Ocean Beach and down the Great Highway to Hwy. 1. This route through the City has fantastic views of the Golden Gate.

Once on Hwy. 1 you'll immediately come on a sweeping view of Pacifica that always reminds me of the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Then you'll cruise through the precipitous Devil's Slide and charming Montarra with its quaint little lighthouse. Further along you will come on one of the tallest and most quintessential lighthouses on the west coast, Pigeon Point. (Ok, Pt. Arena is its competiton, and is in better shape) Then you have Santa Cruz, turn off 1 and go over to West Cliff drive. Finally there is Moss Landing which is the best place to see and photograph California Sea Otters. You can park your car, walk three steps, and on almost any day look down a few feet to a raft of Otters that represents 1 to 2% of the entire population. (Parking lot at end of Jetty Road)

By all means, skip this part of the coast.



Edited by TeamSK jay on May 09, 2008 at 11:45 AM GMT

I'd echo what others have suggested regarding direction: North to South. This serves two purposes. One, as you mentioned, scenic vistas and parking lots are usually right turns in and out. Secondly, as others have mentioned, the further north you go, the prettier the beaches get. So definitely take your time in Washington, Oregon, and northern California.

In Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula, I'd recommend visiting Hurricane Ridge and hiking up to Hurricane Hill. The view from Hurricane Hill at sunrise is breathtaking. The views from the Hurricane Hill trail (along the way to the summit) are amazing at sunset. The trail is fairly easy, even paved in parts, but it can be a challenge as you're starting at an elevation of nearly a mile high.

Also on the Olympic Peninsula, Discovery Bay, Neah Bay, Shi Shi beach (overnight hike), Rialto Beach, Second Beach, Hoh Point (moderately long hike, little to no trail, use your own judgment), and Ruby Beach make for fantastic photography opportunities. Many prefer to shoot sunsets at these locations, and while they can provide for great, vivid colors, I really enjoy sunrises at these locations for pastel tones. As you're driving past, don't miss an opportunity to visit Sol Duc Falls as well as the Hoh Rainforest.

In Oregon, I enjoy the Columbia River Gorge, specifically Multnoma Falls, and Tunnel Falls (moderately long day hike up Eagle Creek Trail, but worth the effort). Yaquinna Head Lighthouse and Heceta Head Lighthouse stick out in my memory as good photography opportunities.

In northern California, I enjoy the Redwoods National Park area. Be sure to check out Enderts beach, False Klamath Cove, and the trees. Point Bonita and Point Cabrillo lighthouses in California provide interesting photo opportunities.