Need Your Input!

[FRED SMAILES]

Hey Everybody!
We've just decided to cruise down the Oregon , Calfi. coast.
to SanDiego. Leaving early Feb. I know it will probably be wet
most of the way but the Boler don't leak much.
I'm hoping for a little imput as to places to see and things to do
along the way, keeping the time of year in mind.
If you have recomendations as to great places to stay
( open year-round with electric)would love to here about them.
Fred & Marilyn

[FRED SMAILES]

That Should be Need YouR Imput If some one could EDit my mistake.
I guess I can't edit the title.
Thanks
Fred

[Rick Mooyman]

I got what you ment. I have never done that trip but hope it goes well for you. Can't wait till I get to an age where work does not stop me from traveling when the weather gets cold up here.

Rick

[Byron Kinnaman]

There are lots of county, state, and Forest Service campgrounds along the Oregon Coast.
State Parks have electric. Some county parks have electric. FS probably not. Here's a good place to start looking at Oregon State Parks.
That's a good time of the year to visit. Smaller crowds, State Parks are what they call the "Discovery Season", meaning lowing camping prices.
Sights to see..
Forth Stevens ... The old Fort and the wreak of Peter Iredale.
Tillamook Cheese Factory Near Tillamook
If you're into aviation just out side of Tillamook there's a great museum.
A stop at Depot Bay is a good one. The fishing boats have to navigate a narrow channel, there's foot path under the bridge where you can look down on the boats as they come and go.
Next is Newport where the Oregon Aquarium is located along with the U of O marine sciences center, both open to the public. I haven't visited since NOAA moved so they probably have a visitors center also.
Various day parks with differing views of the ocean and many sea birds.
There's several light houses that can be visited.
On down the coast is Sea Lion Caves. It's private but interesting.
Oregon Dunes Nation Recreation Area is another place that's interesting.
Darlingtonia Way Side where carnivorous plants grow. Don't worry they only eat insects.

Don't forget all the little art galleries, and taffy shops.

You could spend a lot of time exploring the Oregon Coast.
Enjoy your trip.

[FRED SMAILES]

Originally Posted by Rick Mooyman

I got what you ment. I have never done that trip but hope it goes well for you. Can't wait till I get to an age where work does not stop me from traveling when the weather gets cold up here.

Rick

I can understand wanting to get outta Manitoba in the winter!!
I worked outdoors for 40 years in SASK!!!!
Being older isn't all it's cracked up to be though!!
Fred

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by FRED SMAILES

I can understand wanting to get outta Manitoba in the winter!!
I worked outdoors for 40 years in SASK!!!!
Being older isn't all it's cracked up to be though!!
Fred

Hi: Fred Smailes... I want to be old enough to retire but young enough to enjoy it!!! How old is that???
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[FRED SMAILES]

Byron, thanks for the imput!
We were down the the OR. coast to Florence
in 2010, had a great time and did the Tillamook cheese place
and the air museum there ,enjoyed it! That's part of the reason for going
all the way down.
fred

[FRED SMAILES]

Originally Posted by Alf S.

Hi: Fred Smailes... I want to be old enough to retire but young enough to enjoy it!!! How old is that???
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Well Alf, retirement is different things to different people but it's really not
about age , it's about money, not that I have much.

Enjoy everyday
Fred

[Greybeard]

We live in Southern BC and have driven the west coast through Washington and Oregon twice and once to Northern California. Now we have a trailer and are about to embark (Saturday) on a 30-60 day adventure, hoping to get to Southern california.
The Oregon caost is absolutely stunning in Spring and Fall and now we will get a chance to see it in Winter. The road down 101 is scenic, not a lot of traffic, lots to see and do. I suspect there is likely to be more fog now than in Summer so we will temper our schedule to that. The communities are geared to tourism so there are lots of places to see and visit and lots of places to eat. Last trip we looked for camping locations, knowing we were likely to return soon with a trailer and now it is happening.
Couple of things I found out. In Oregon you are NOT allowed to operate the gas pump - State law. In Canada we use debit cards a lot and in the past were able to do so with ease in many places in the US. Now it seems I need a credit card (with a chip). There are a few places were we were able to use Interac. I rarely use MasterCard around home and now I need to be more prepared to do so in the US. Not a big deal, just need to be prepared to pay with it, rather than stumble around like a klutz at the cashier :-)
If you are coming from BC, the Anacores Ferry is shut down for Winter and the Port Angeles ferry from Victoria has only one sailing to the US. at 4PM. Winter schedules.
Hope you enjoy the trip.
Richard

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by FRED SMAILES

If some one could edit my mistake.

I took care of it.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by FRED SMAILES

I'm hoping for a little input as to places to see and things to do along the way, keeping the time of year in mind. If you have recommendations as to great places to stay ( open year-round with electric)would love to here about them.

I have a recommendation for a place to STAY AWAY FROM. Downtown Los Angeles with their infamous 3-level and 4-level interchanges and the junction of I-5 / I-10 / SR-101 / SR-60. Unless you have your pounding heart set on seeing Hollywood, that is one white knuckle gauntlet I can live without.

I recommend that as you pass through Ventura southbound on SR-101, plan to stick with it as it turns eastbound (SR-101 in this area is known as the Ventura Freeway) to where it merges into eastbound SR-134 (also known as the Ventura Freeway!) at West Toluca Lake. At that point SR-101 turns south and becomes the Hollywood Freeway. Don't go to Hollywood. Continue eastbound on SR-134 (the Ventura Freeway) to where it merges into I-210, the Foothill Freeway. Continue eastbound and I-210 becomes SR-210, but continues to be called the Foothill Freeway. Continue eastbound to the junction with I-15, the Ontario Freeway, where you will want to turn South. Stay with I-15 south as it changes names from the Ontario Freeway to the Corona Freeway and then to the Temecula Valley Freeway. I-15 then changes its name to the Avocado Freeway when it enters San Diego County.

[Lizbeth]

Fred... I think you just scared him away from coming through the Los Angeles area!

It really is easier than Fred makes it sound! We just have a bunch of freeways!

[FRED SMAILES]

Originally Posted by Frederick L. Simson

I took care of it.

From one Fred to another,,Thank-you

[FRED SMAILES]

Richard ,thank-you for your responce. Will be on the lookout for you along the way!!
We're staying at Paridice by the Sea in Oceanside mid feb to mid mar if you get that far

[FRED SMAILES]

Frederick, thanks for the heads up on the traffic.
I've been in LA several times and have always had
an easy time in the traffic.
Actually one of the reasons I like LA is the roads!!
They are a marvel to me, where I live your lucky to
a straightaway long enough to pass someone let alone
multilane

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by FRED SMAILES

I've been in LA several times and have always had an easy time in the traffic.
Actually one of the reasons I like LA is the roads!

OK then, you're a better driver than me.

[freddo411]

I recommend the Oregon coast, but please do be OK with the rain. Here's some picts in and around Tillimook:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1176202...3/200812Oregon

Just across the border in CA, along the 101 you come across the Redwood (State?, National?) Park. Worth a stop. https://picasaweb.google.com/1176202...8WestCoastTrip

Note that most of the 101 along the west coast is a very windy, slow road. Not many towns along the way either.

I you want a suburban night, you can stop by my place along the I-5 south of Seattle, plug-in and have a beer with me.



Cheers

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

...
Tillamook Cheese Factory Near Tillamook
If you're into aviation just out side of Tillamook there's a great museum.
...
You could spend a lot of time exploring the Oregon Coast.
Enjoy your trip.

[ThomasE]

From north to south through California...
Off Hwy 101 - avenue of the giants (tallest trees in the world redwoods)
Ano Nuevo state park (big elephant seals)
Monterey Bay Aquarium (one of the best in country)
Big Sur state park
Pismo beach state park
Channel Islands national park (requires ferry ride)
Disneyland (yes traffic is always bad through LA)
San Diego zoo
San Diego Wild Animal Park

[FRED SMAILES]

Thanks Freddo! (wow another one!)
I expect to get wet but hopefully we'll get the odd reprieve,,,
as long as the wind don't blow us off the road!!
Thanks for the offer on the plug in,,but we won't get to the coast till
we're south of Portland.
Thanks for the pics . we did the Cheese place in 2010 neet!
Those are big trees!! Gotta check E'm out.
Fred

[FRED SMAILES]

Thomas ,thanks we have some of those on our list and some to add!
Channel Islands national park (requires ferry ride)
Have to check this one out!
Fred