Did you drive it alone and what do you think about being able to see well driving north to south? Stretching from Washington to California, the Pacific Coast is picturesque, with cliffs, sea stacks, gorgeous urban spaces, and the raging ocean. Looking to fly into Crescent City Ive tried to locate flight from Oakland to Crescent City but havent been able to, do you have any info on this flight? Youre very welcome, Wilbert! I love small beaches and in less popular destinations like this! To access the map on Roadtrippers, you just need to click the map! Thinking approximately 250 miles a day. Note: Due to heavy rainfall in California in January 2023, California Highway 1 is closed around Ragged Point; this means you will not be able to do a complete route down the Pacific Coast and will instead divert inland from Monterey to San Simeon (southbound). Day 3: Cape Kiwanda, OR to Redwood State Park, CA. Have a great trip and drive safely! Our plan (2 people) would be to fly into Seattle, where family is. One of the requests I get asked for is a Pacific Coast Highway map with all of the stops I suggest, so I used Roadtrippers to put together this one. Glad to help, Andrew I hope you have an amazing trip! I havent been to Yellowstone so I cant say if its worth it, unfortunately. Thank you! Crater lake was amazing!! Thanks for sharing this! Valerie, First off, congratulations on your recent wedding! Thanks for reading, Sonia. Follow the highway south as it winds inland and along the coast. As this post is over 6,000 words long, I typically dont provide extra additional itinerary services for free. The ideia is to have a West Coast Beer Route drive. Hello Valerie & Valise, I love this trip information on, it is so amazingly helpful. WOW! Youre all set to start filling in the gaps! The skies are guaranteed to be blue, the weather begs for a convertible, and the passing sands are alive with . Southern California. As I mentioned above, both are southbound itineraries. Whether you just want to see the top highlights and sightseeing hotspots or want to dive into L.A.s booming food scene, you can find it all in Los Angeles. The best time of year to do this will be in the summer (June/July/August), probably sooner in the year rather than later. Newport is a great destination to stretch your legs for a few hours once you arrive back on the Pacific Coast (you can also drive straight down Highway 101 from Cannon Beach if you decide to skip a stop in Portland). 1. So heading east eventually to round out the trip. Also being from Colorado, we would love to camp oceanside, do you have any recommendations on campsites? Whether youre planning a San Diego to San Francisco, Seattle to San Francisco, San Francisco to San Diego, Seattle to San Diego road trip, or somewhere in between (Los Angeles! Have a great trip!! My only additional rec for anyone would be to add the Great Tide Pool in Monterrey to check out little worlds of marine life. Planning a mother/son trip after my son graduates HS next year. Pacific Coast Highway (1982)(Datasoft)(US)PlatformAtari 8-bitReleased1982Published byDatasoft,. That gives you a lot more to do each day to wear the kids out and much more suitable for an RV. Also, I love your pictures! When I drove the PCH in 2014, I drove a northbound San Diego to Seattle road trip, and lament that I wasnt on the outer side of the road. You can even stretch it out by spending a few extra days exploring some of the cities along the route if you want to. Also, its not exactly the most stimulating view its a bit better for older kids than younger ones. "In America, the colors sing, they don't just glower at you. Thank you for sharing! Sounds like a great trip either way drive safe! San Simeon Drive for 45 minutes and start the day with a 15-minute excursion inland to San Simeon to tour the elaborate Hearst Castle. Thank you for the comprehensive narrative! (As of July 2018, the PCH reopened after a 2017 mudslide!). Hope to rent a car there? BIG SUR, Calif. A section of California's scenic and iconic Pacific Coast Highway that collapsed during a winter storm in January reopened to traffic on Friday. Id like to include Olympic NP, Mt. Nope, headed northbound is not a bad way to go its actually the way I went on my first drive! I love that the Pacific coast has those little hideaways! You absolutely nailed it. So, don't just rely on Google Maps, instead download an offline map in advance, so there's no chance of getting lost. Seeing some nice beaches is also of interest. Thanks Valerie. Thanks for your comment, Patty! Im sure someone else has asked this but..When is the best time to travel PCH (traveling Southbound through California to San Diego in hopes of warm days and cool(ish) nights)? If youre planning a full 10-day west coast road trip, make sure you follow my guide and do at least one overnight on the Olympic Peninsula. Pacific Coast Highway stops include big city vacation destinations like Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, and smaller places like Monterey. Its a very winding cliff-side road and doing it in an RV is going to be laboriously slow and probably make you a bit nervous at times. From the beach boardwalk to the lush redwoods, Santa Cruz is one of the best places to stop on the Pacific Coast Highway. Valerie, valuable tips ! I have been to Europe, for 2 years, and nothing compares to this coastal trip. Sounds like it will be well worth it. We were 70s teenagers all around! We can only do a quick trip. 1. Tim and Janice. I drove one and I hardly ever got to enjoy it!.why were you hardly ever able to enjoy driving a convertible???? We were thinking October, but after reading all the comments, I think we will make it September. If youre planning a PCH trip and want to pass through San Francisco, you can either skim over along the side of the city as you drive down the coast, take a detour inland to visit Yosemite National Park or dive in for one night knowing it will only make you want to come back for more. We are thinking of late September of 2022 doing a two week drive from north to south. Camp at Second Beach in Olympic NP Photo: Michael Matti A weekend of sea, sand, and sunscreen. Appreciate you sharing your experience and advice. Anyway, we are looking to do the very same drive. Those are my top recommendations! Regarding I recommend an automatic car with a low center of gravity but skip the convertible! Thanks for putting this fantastic guide together! The little set of communities on the Long Beach peninsula is at the lower-left corner of the state and is home to cozy accommodations and surprisingly delicious restaurants. September and October are definitely best for visiting NorCal, so I recommend that time of year too! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head west along U.S. 101 until it turns south along the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Read more in my Privacy Policy. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue along CA-1 to San Diego, your final stop on this PCH road trip. The most commonly driven part of the . Have you seen these two posts? A frequent Cali traveler warned me of smog in the late summer and recommended late Sept. early Oct. What are your thoughts? Located on a beautiful crescent-shaped bay, Crescent City is along part of the PCH where California Highway 1 and U.S. Highway 101 overlap hence this guide refers to both Highway 1 and Highway 101 as the PCH in the different states. Hi! Will we be able to enjoy the drive in March? Thanks for reading, Dave. The worst that happens is you might end up in a slightly less nice place than you had planned. Id be happy to save the money and just drive with the windows down when I want some fresh air. Manny from Massachusetts. Weve daydreamed about a lot of different trips we would take one day, and a flight from the southeast US to Seattle and PCH drive to San Diego was one of them. I hope that helps! Santa Cruz. Scott, I replied to your email, so you should be all set! If I can make a recommendation? If you want to spend part of one day during your Pacific Coast Highway road trip beachcombing or hiking, Big Sur is the place to do it. So doing our 101 bucket list too, but want a 2-3 days near Ocean Beach, CA. Wifey and I did the PCH trip a while ago, shortly after we got married. Thanks for your comment, Terri! Thank you so much for sharing this informative article with all of us. Hi Valerie, I am doing the PCH drive southbound from Seattle and as far as we can go for 5 days. Karen, great question! Want to stop over a few nights, and hit some of the destinations you listed. I recommend checking out California resources for the pandemic before you book anything. Franke's first solo album is surprisingly melodic, highly accessible, and immaculately produced. do you have a printable version of this? After Crescent City, the Pacific Coast Highway starts to navigate in and away from the coast at times, which includes chances to experience one of Californias natural wonders: the Redwoods. Thanks for reading, Kay. From here on south, it's miles-upon-miles of beautiful sand beaches, palm-lined streets, and thriving coastal cities. Its a small detail, but totally uncalifornian to say the PCH. The speed limit ranges from 55mph to 25mph theres really no helpful way to give an average! Also known as Big Sur, the route winds along the rugged California coastline (from Cape San Martin to Ragged . Depending on the timing of your itinerary, you may want to do an overnight here. Id find an interesting podcast for everyone in the car and have the kids keep an eye out for whales and wildlife. Youve got so much time, thats awesome! Thank you for sharing. It is best known for the stretch along the Californian coast, with spectacular ocean views and awesome attractions as you travel. Similar to Haystack Rock, your experience stopping at Devils Punchbowl will depend on the tides. An unanticipated problem was encountered, check back soon and try again We will probably book Airbnb if cost effective. Your article was just what I needed!! Let me know in the comments! Briefly, here are some of the other must-see attractions in Seattle: If you want to spend a few days in Seattle, consider purchasing the Seattle CityPass. Hood, Crater Lake, the Redwoods in much greater depth than I advise above you could also spend some time at Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, or elsewhere in the Sierra Nevadas! Thanks for your comment, Pam, but Im a little confused its a 10-day itinerary, so its a 9-night trip. Pacific coast highway road trip with kids. I loved the harbor and wharf, was surprised by the food scene, and lightly dabbled in the historical significance of Santa Barbara enough for me to want to return. I have a question in regards to your amazing experiences and my hopes to travel the PCH with my older kids. You will miss Seaside & Cannon Beach on this route, so your next stop will be Newport (#9). The majority of this California road trip will take place on Highway 1, AKA the Pacific Coast Highway, AKA the PCH, AKA Cabrillo Highway, AKA Shoreline Highway, AKA The Prettiest Highway in the World. Thanks for such a thorough rundown of what to do. When you hit the California coast, its like driving in a postcard. Stop and admire the views in Big Sur, too! But never mind those technicalities, because equally bewitching ribbons of Hwy 1 and Hwy 101 await all along this route. If we have 10 days to do this and could skip San Francisco, because we just did that 2 years ago, could we drive from Seattle to either Los Angeles or San Diego in an RV? Also wondering if you can tell me where I could get a printable version of your article. I also agree that Point Reyes (and the lighthouse) is spectacular and my top place to go when in North Ca. When it comes to vacation rental options. This is a great itinerary! The huge sweeping beach is admittedly not warm enough for a swim but its great for a stroll in the surf. Hi, and thanks for this terrific resource. Highway 1 Self-Driving Audio Tour (Pacific Coast Highway) 11 Adventure Tours from $24.99 per adult Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive - Full Day Tour from San Francisco 310 Bus Tours from $105.00 per adult Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco 584 Full-day Tours from $199.00 per adult (price varies by group size) Mendocino Your Pacific Coast Highway road trip begins at Leggett, so naturally, the first stop is the wonderful Mendocino. But, we need to go the opposite way; starting in San Diego and heading north. I was wondering if you could suggest a place for stargazing. This gorgeous building mostly survived the 1906 earthquake and captures Victorian glory with modern amenities. Thanks for reading, Heather! Where is the Pacific Coast Highway? We are planning a trip next year from New Orleans while my husband has a conference in Portlandwe were thinking of driving Hwy 1 down to Disneylandand catching some of the beautiful beaches and state parks. At this point you should take the exit to CA-1; this is now the Pacific Coast Highway. Thinking of maybe making this where we would b me somewhere different for 4th of July. We fly out of LA. I dont think you can do Yosemite in a day its a four hour drive from the coast to Yosemite (one-way) and youll probably want a full day in the park at minimum. Ive done Yosemite and Sequoia, so no need for inland stops. Explore the route. Login or Register an account to download this content. Amy, take a look at the Santa Maria Valley I stopped in Lompoc on a trip recently and they have some fun and interesting wineries there. Next time I have a few days off, Ill have to change that! Valerie, cant thank you enough for this guide! We always wanted to do an RV trip, but maybe the PCH is not the one to do that on?? Can you believe theres a rainforest in Washington? We stayed in Seattle and drove south to Olympia, to pick up the beginning of the 101. Kim, December should be a pretty good time, but plan for classic marine layer weather (chilly and cloudy this is whats normal on the Pacific coast!). After driving across the famous Columbia River bridge, stop and give yourself a self-guided tour of popular Goonies spots in Oregons northwest-most town. Flew into Seattle and drove back. Thanks for sharing. You'll feel far from it all as you pass through tiny towns and secluded beaches and wind around cliffs surrounded by yellowy beige grasses and cliffs. 3 days trip to Joshua Tree/stay at Twentynine Palms, then swing to San Diego. The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. I hope you can make this trip someday (hopefully soon!). I mapped it here so you can see the option to add in Crater Lake and what youll miss: https://goo.gl/maps/2A4GYTKnBcADVdRw5. From there we are planning on 4 days drive/stop on high 1 (PCH) up to Santa Monica/Malibu then flight out LAX. Carry on the fantastic work!|. Cherie, thanks for your comment. Best Quotes about the West Coast There are many quotes that sing praises and are written as an ode to the beauty of the West Coast. It's renowned as one of the most scenic road trips in America, and of course there are dozens of fun places to stop and check out along the way. Crescent City is the first city youll enter when driving southbound into California along the Pacific Coast Highway (or last if youre headed northbound). The best way to enjoy southern California is by diving straight into the beachside culture. Pacific Coast Highway or PCH, segments of California State Route 1 Pacific Coast Highway, parts of New Zealand State Highway 2 and all of New Zealand State Highway 25 and New Zealand State Highway 35. Basically, you cant start/end in Crescent City if you want to rent a car. Dont be in a hurry and be cautious so you can enjoy everything. Great article. But all of those are just ways to say "The 1.". 2. Can you please give me a list of must sees in Santa Barbara (we could have two full days there). The coast near Crescent City is dotted with the gigantic rock formations out at sea that characterize most of the northern and central California coastline. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. Have a great trip! Especially watching the sun set over Morro Rock in the distance! If not, spend your day exploring the Seattle waterfront to see all of the city from above. A one-week Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary will allow you to see the highlights without feeling rushed. I wouldnt advise doing this one in an RV, to be honest. I drove part of this back in 2009 from LA to San Francisco (northbound..) and would also recommend stops in Morro Bay and Monterey I enjoyed both very much! anything you can suggest extra the girls would be wowed by would be great. Thanks for reading, Thomas. Also, you can probably get away with booking hotels/vacation rentals in the smaller towns only a few days in advance but if you want to stay in any of the big cities, I would book those 2-3 weeks in advance at the latest! I have 22 foot van camper are their any length height(9.5 ft) restrictions I am hoping their are amp sites along the way? Drive safe in between those beer stops! I am not fond of the cold and a bit fearful of icy driving in the mountains. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange . Located on the Pacific side of the Olympic Peninsula, Hoh Rainforest qualifies as a rainforest due to the amount of precipitation that occurs each year. From Bixby Creek Bridge to Mcway Falls to the sea lions of San Simeon, there are so many epic places to see and photos to snap in Big Sur along the Pacific Coast Highway that you'll find yourself exhausting your camera battery and filling up your. I want the most scenic route but RT 1 on the cliffs seem risky ? Congrats on the trip, Michael! The rest of time will hopefully be in small towns all along the coast. There are no reasonable alternatives for some of the routes like the one across Bixby Canyon Bridge (shown above). We will be stopping to see the sights along the way but not for strenuous hikes. We are planning a west coast trip and are considering renting an RV one way from Portland or Seattle to San Francisco. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along U.S. 101. I did a bit of research into this seems like its a Los Angeles thing to drop the the but as I lived up in Northern California, we use the the. Since my post is referring to a much larger area than just SoCal, Im still going to keep the the. Thanks for providing me this opportunity to learn about a quirky bit of California lingo! Sorry about the delay, Scott. Such a thorough guide! But you missed it and it was so incredible. I hope you can do at least part of the PCH someday soon . San Diego is high on my must-visit-longer list, so Im again a bit short on recommendations here. How do I do it? Thanks for your comment, Rex! When you drive on the Pacific Coast Highway, you will see sheer cliffs straight down to the water. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: When youre ready to continue on your PCH road trip, make your way back to California Highway 1 and head south. I hope you can make it happen sooner! Heres a Pacific Coast Highway map and schedule for 10 days: One of the most popular questions I get about driving the Pacific Coast Highway is about when to drive the PCH. If you're in need of California trip ideas, consider driving up the iconic Pacific Coast Highway. Thank you so much for this information! You can choose the spots you want to stop at that way . Start in Seattle and end in San Diego. That includes missing the Devils Punchbowl and Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area in the southern part of the state; you would however get to drive through Oregons Redwoods on your way from Crater Lake to Crescent City. AI TRAFFIC - for Pacific Coast (0.95) 0.85. Required fields are marked *. As soon as you hit the section of the Pacific Coast Highway connecting. Valerie-thanks for the great overview. So nice to hear from you, Silvia! Southern California has great weather year-round. Thanks again! We can skip Napa and SF. After reading your blog we are excited to visit San Jose. I dont remember providing that advice but off the top of my head, I wouldnt go bigger than a Tesla Model X (swoon! Your second choice is where to start your road trip. I would love to do a Pacific Coast Highway drive at some point in my life. Ronald, I dont know for sure as I dont recommend people drive in an RV. I dont have it I just want to make sure businesses are open? Just one small thing, its not the PCH, its just PCH. My favorite place is Mendocino if the skies are clear! Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along U.S. 101 to Crescent City always stick to the coast! FREE delivery Sat, Jan 7 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. I have looked up the different uses of the word and grammatically correct samples, and I believe you needed to use it in past-tense. Stargazing along the PCH depends a lot on the weather; since there arent a lot of roads that connect the PCH inland, you kinda have to make do with what happens out on the coast. 2. Thank you, and your blog is fantastic! We live in Colorado, so more interested in Ocean more than hiking, so 101 is ideal. What a great and comprehensive post! Thanks for reading, Lynda! Were renting an RV in Seattle (after few days in hotel) and have 30 days before we drop it off in San Fran (and hotel for a few days). Nate, thanks for your comment. Portland? Im pretty confident theyll be wowed by these sights. Want to avoid the summer crowds, but still enjoy nice weather. Both have way more to explore once you stop or pull off the road. Stretching from Washington to California, the Pacific Coast is picturesque, with cliffs, sea stacks, gorgeous urban spaces, and the raging ocean. Also how many days driving for this trip. As we will be married 40 years! Then flying back to Michigan. Ruby Beach is only a short drive from Hoh Rainforest but its the most picturesque beach on Washingtons Pacific Coast. Sorry; I dont have any suggestions for that! Stop 3: Monterey and its aquarium. Yes, we intend to stay a couple of nights in Portland and 2 or 3 in San Francisco but well probably look for hotels on the outskirts and travel in to the cities by car or public transport each day. Seaside is a picturesque coastal town, a western interpretation of the East Coast summer destinations along the Atlantic. Thanks Teena. We both have a lot of vacation all the time, so 10 days or more would be fine. Super excited. These are just ten of the many places off Highway 1 that you'll want to experience. Or. I havent stayed at any L.A. hotels, so I dont feel comfortable recommending any. I havent been to Monterey but its high on my list! Have a great drive! LA's vast size may seem daunting, but if you plan what you want to see and do, it can be a really rewarding place to visit. Hello, Thanks for sharing your trips and valuable tips. The Outdoor Blueprint team pieces together an incredible guide featuring all the best coastal stops from Vancouver, B.C. Other cool attractions include Hurricane Ridge (a popular hiking spot), Elwha River Valley, and Olympic Hot Springs. Im nervous go excited. Now my only problem is trying to figure out how many extra days were going to need! Next, youll pass through Point Reyes, which again seems underwhelming. Before you hit the road, youve gotta figure out your car situation! #addittothelist. Point Reyes is arguably my favorite part of the Pacific Coast Highway and that is saying something as its really hard to choose favorites from over 650 miles of California coastline! Regarding openings, Im sorry but I cant keep up with all of the places and changing restrictions in the various counties and states. I travelled alone from San Francisco to LA while on a work trip years ago and havent stopped thinking about getting my husband out there. Here are some different starting/ending points for a PCH road trip: As you can see, you have options! Suggestions? Youre very welcome, and have a great road trip!! Any ideas? San Luis Obispo with Paso Robles). Hah, sounds like a good bonding experience, Angela! Raynard, when are you going? Send me a pic if you remember . My problem is going to be deciding what not to do because Ill only have so much time (and money). Whether you stop to take a few Instagram-worthy spots or ogle the animals, theres plenty of experiences to choose from in San Diego. Thanks for reading, Brian. I was born on the East Coast and currently live in the Midwest but my heart will always be out West. Pismo State Beach is another great stop during a day of driving from San Francisco to Santa Barbara (or reverse). haha. Id look at September as an ideal time to catch autumn colors in the Pacific Northwest but admittedly its hard to predict since this part of the country isnt known for the same leaf colors as New England. Most head to the Hollywood area and its movie-related attractions. Have other questions about driving the Pacific Coast Highway? This will be a great tool in planning. Would you have any other suggestions since I am using 4 more days and not going south to Sa Diego and strarting in Vancouver? If you are short on time to drive the PCH, as I was, a Pacific Coast highway itinerary for 5 days is ideal. In Northern California, the best weather of the year happens between September and October. I did drive it alone and I still recommend heading southbound. The Pacific Coast Highway, also called California State Route 1, Coast Highway, or shortened by locals to be "PCH," is 650 miles of road. Its a great spot for a short hike to stretch your legs. Prior to retiring I have done the San Francisco to LA 3 times but always by myself. I am not a family travel expert so I dont have advice there! Thank you . Are we likely to hit snow in the northern stops? Im looking forward to have the same experience with my wife and my son. Thanks for asking, Helen! Manage photos I am going to mostly follow the path you outlined in your 10 day itinerary. Thank you for great info This is exactly what I was looking for. This post was originally published in August 2014, and was updated regularly including most recently in May 2022. Hope that helps you plan! Thanks again! Were on day 2 of our 8-day PCH Tour.and its great to have your help! In this post, I promote travel across lands that are the traditional lands of many Indigenous groups. Along the way we plan to stop at the Benbow Inn near Garberville, CA and in Newport. Seattle is perfect for anywhere between one day and three days if you have the time. Love it. I love all the details that you are recommended here. We figured booking hotel in Seattle for 1 or 2 days for arrival and checking the college. I have a few questions. Thanks so much. In smaller towns though, Id recommend committing to those earlier you may find you have nowhere to stay and have to drive on another 100+ miles at some parts! skip Santa Cruz, skip San Francisco Day 2 and just hit the highway) OR if you had a suggestion on swapping out one of the spots with a different one (ex. They all offer budget rentals, run regular deals and specials, and have one-way rental options. With colorful historic seaside homes and great hiking trails and other outdoor activities, Mendocino is good for at least an overnight stop dont be surprised if you want to spend even longer here once you arrive! I am doing this trip with the boyfriend end of this month. You can get a printable version by signing up on the forms in this post. What is the average speed on the 101? Youll have a great time! That route looks good have you input all the drive times in Google to confirm that you want to be on the road that much each day? Ime hoping the trip will run about $10k. My wife and I (with our dog) are driving from Pismo Beach to Cannon Beach and staying at a beach house there. To be honest, Id opt for the long route you only have one day, and Point Reyes is one of my favorite parts of California. Yes, Id recommend flying one-way to Seattle, and flying one-way home from San Diego. Thank you so very much. The journey down Highway 1 is the iconic California road trip, and this coastal route is a great choice whether you're in Northern California, the central coast, or in SoCal. Sea the possibilities. Just wondering about restrictions? The West Coast especially is fantastic. Thanks for your comment, Vicky! In Washington, Oregon, and at the northern end of California, the Pacific Coast route follows US Highway 101. Let me know how it goes! Sort of a round trip Oregon adventure. The traditional definition of the Pacific Coast Highway is to drive California Highway 1 from San Diego to Leggett (or vice versa); you can extend by adding on U.S. Highway 101 through Northern California and Oregon and Washington coasts. Therefore, its an amazing place to start your Pacific Coast Highway trip! Thanks for reading, Oleg. If you make it out this way, let me know, as Im now in the Bay Area! Hey there! Great read! Heather, you saw the rest of the post, right? This After making the trip myself in 2014 and exploring the PCH extensively while living in Washington and California, Ive put together this comprehensive guide to the great stops, breathtaking sights, and sense of unbelievable freedom you can find if you drive the Pacific Coast Highway. I am thinking 5 days from Portland to LA. You thinks thats safe or should I make some. We stay in San Diego on Pacific/Mission Beach a lot so no need to travel this far south for us. If you happen to do your PCH road trip in the winter, Pismo State Beach is also home to the largest colony of migrating monarch butterflies during the winter months. In a few weeks, we intend to start a 10-ish day loop from San Jose, drive up on the inland route to Seattle, and do a southbound coastal drive. I was hoping to see autumn colours in the northern area. Aberdeen has one main claim to fame: it was the hometown of Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain. Were making a shortlist of 3 or 4 likely hotels for each expected stopover.